DO I NEED A UNIVERSITY DEGREE to become an interior designer?

[@DanniDesigns]

Love your videos too! I also just recently discovered your channel and there is so much amazing information on here, I hope you keep doing these! I do have a degree, but not in interior design. I don't think college does a good job of preparing anyone for their field of choice, unfortunetly. It's definitely the on the job training that does. As far as education goes here in the US it ranges state to state, if you are able to practice interior design without a degree. In mine you can, you just can't claim you are a, "licenced Interior Designer". The problem I'm facing as an Interior Designer is without the NCIDQ certificate, I'm unable to belong to the trade programs, which i'm unsure I need to, but know it would be added income if I could. You can't take the test unless you have a 2 year ID degree and 3 years of work experience in the industry.

[@SpaceForEdit]

Hi Danni! Welcome to the fam 🙂✌️ so glad you've found the channel and it's been useful info. I try my best to juggle between this and my design business so bare with me if there's a bit of silence from time to time. I enjoy making videos and plan to do it as long as I can 👍 Thanks so much for sharing the insight on this topic from the US perspective. I had a rough idea about the setup but this explains it all a lot better. Such a shame that you have to have a certain certificate to be able to grow your business. In the UK we can work with any suppliers and contractors on our own terms.

[@gabriellapower915]

Hello Sintija, I totally agree with you on this topic. Both as a designer and as an educator. I teach in an institution where the differentiation point is providing practical knowledge in the interior design field along with theory. Our aim is for our students at the end of their three year degree to be able to hit the ground running. The main criteria. of being an educator in this institution is 10+ years of industry experience where lecturers can talk about their real life experiences. Design process and project management on the forefront of this. Since 2017 I am running all studio projects (Residential & Commercial) with real projects where students talk to the client take the brief design and present to them. Furthermore, they are part of overlooking the construction phase. Thats where the real shock comes dealing with trade, suppliers and the trials and tribulations of bringing a project from concept to completion. I would love to discuss this further with you.

[@SpaceForEdit]

Hi Gabriella! Wow, this is amazing! I knew that there would be others out there who think alike. Thank you so much for sharing this and I would definitely love to continue this chat in more depth. It would be great to hear more about your insights from this experience. Could you drop me a quick email when you get a chance and we can take it from there? My email is [e-mail] . Speak soon!

[@rosieefelix]

I also have a diploma but even obtaining that diploma was a complete eye opener. I took courses from several different community colleges to fill in the gaps and even then I just ended up feeling like I was spreading myself so thin cramming so many things all at once making it difficult to even consume the information. Extremely draining!! I have definitely slowed down and just trust the process, timing, and most definite knowing how much worth I bring to the table! Your idea is BEYOND amazing!! So excited for it!! Come to LA 🙌

[@SpaceForEdit]

Hmm yeah, sorry to hear that you've had a bad experience as well. You should be able to just get all the necessary information from one source and in a way that is manageable to take in. I'm sure you'll figure it out, we all do 😊 There's no other way really 😁 And thanks for the support on my idea. I really hope that this will grow some arms and legs in the next few years 🤞🤞

[@lizprice2011]

I went to college for interior design in Arizona and then a masters degree in Colorado and although I had a good college experience I still feel there is a definite lack of learning how real projects progress. I learned a lot during school because I worked at the university and helped with dormitory/ residence hall renovations and a new residence hall being built. So I was practically able to apply what I was learning. Still in the US I need to work for a couple years under a certified designer or architect in order to sit for the 3 qualifying exams to get NCIDQ certified. Long story short I love your videos and truly appreciate your honesty and willingness to help fill that gap between university and real life projects ❤

[@SpaceForEdit]

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and frustration. Although by the sounds of it you've already had it better than most of us :D. Real life hands on experience is so crucial for our profession. Hope all is going well and you're enjoying the journey so far! :) And thank you for the support on this channel, it honestly means the world to hear that you've enjoyed the content!!

[@DannyBoy89]

I obtained a diploma which helped but I still feel a degree would help with technical skills… but as you know they make up 10% of the job. 90% is admin & project management… which I hate & im not good at. So I think most designers either if you have that skill great - but if you don’t maybe get training in project management which I’m considering. As it’s holding me back. That would benefit more than a degree. It’s beneficial to know certain things education can give, but so many of the top luxury designers never went uni so it can be done without that foreknowledge. But they tend to be good at management or had a lot of cash behind them to employ subcontractors (which fills the gaps of skill they lack). So it’s very tough across the board.

[@SpaceForEdit]

Woooshh, Danny's giving us some FACTS 👏👏 Yep, I can absolutely agree to what you're saying. Isn't it so frustrating that what we're 'sold' the profession is supposed to be is a tiny fracture of what we actually do and spend time on? 🙈

[@jenniferdavenportdesigns]

Thank you for this wonderful video! When you said, "no client will ask if you have a degree" - you were spot on!! Yes, we should be judged on our portfolio! Thank you! Well done!

[@SpaceForEdit]

Thanks Jennifer! 👐 It's so true isn't it? When I was in uni I always knew that my focus will be on the portfolio. Just a shame that there's so much pressure on hitting the high marks and percentages 😒 Hopefully things will change for the future graduates and students 🤞

[@jenniferdavenportdesigns]

​@@SpaceForEdit Exactly!

[@nmj2411]

I love and appreciate your videos! You always keep it real! Thank you!

[@SpaceForEdit]

❤️❤️ it's what I do 😊 And I really appreciate you always taking time to comment on my videos! Really means a lot 💯✨

[@RuCaET]

Official education is a bit stupid, not much practical skills, same here in Russia. I might be very old school but in my mind unless I have an official degree for some reason I feel like a fraud 🤷‍♀️ and at the same time the idea of having to spend 4 years of my life AGAIN with a bunch of kids 10 years younger than me kills me 😵‍💫

[@SpaceForEdit]

Yeah, this seems to be a worldwide problem when it comes to design education. Really don't understand why it's not been fixed yet. I see where you're coming from with the official 'green tick' for the diploma box. It does feel like the 'proper' way. But I think now seeing how design industry is moving, having experienced the real world day-to-day stuff, I really feel like the main thing is experience, knowing software, being aware of health and safety requirements and just pure hard working ethic. So an official degree is somewhat useless from a practical point of view... But anyways, could debate all day 😁 I think if you want to get in this field but don't want to do it in the standard university way then take a look at what's available online. See how you can adapt it to your own circumstances and needs 👍😊 Hope this helps!!

[@MaryaLovesBunnies]

I just discovered your channel, and I have been binge watching your videos. I love the information you're providing and its so useful :)

[@SpaceForEdit]

Heyy Marya! Ahh that's brilliant 🙌😊 welcome to the fam! If there's anything you'd like to know more about just drop it in the comments and I'll see what I can do!

[@groundedpathd1080]

So, as you were talking, thoughts came up: could you talk about the skills that one really has to accumulate? After a diploma? Also, it would help design students who didn't go to a university to get a degree, on where would they get their jobs? What suggestions are there for that?

[@SpaceForEdit]

Hey, good shout I'll see what I can come up with 👌 I actually got a couple of videos that might give you an idea of the skills you'll need in the real world. Check them out if you get a minute- kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWXbeoCsZa2JncU , kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJmrZ5dtj7eUitU 🙌😊

[@groundedpathd1080]

So true.