Job Title

 

Interior Designer

 

Job Description

 

Professional interior designers balance colors, textures, furniture, lighting and space to satisfy the needs of a building?s occupants. They are the ?creative problem solvers?, responsible for enhancing the function and quality of life, health and safety in interior spaces. This is accomplished through a systematic approach where they balance and co-ordinate the needs and resources of the client to produce an interior design that is both attractive as well as efficient and practical for people who will be using the space. In order to design spaces successfully, interior designers must be trained in the area of building construction, building materials, specification writing, technical drawing and business practices. In consultation with their clients and working in co-operation with other specialists, they analyze the problem(s), develop planning and detailed design solutions, organize, supervise and complete the installation.

 

Education Requirements

 

To pursue the career of an Interior Designer, one needs the fallowing:

  • Grade12 completion
  • Post- secondary education (2 to 4 years to complete)
    • Diploma/Degree in Interior Design ? successfully complete all the Interior design courses given by the school of your choice. (Note: some schools require high passing grade ? check with the school of your choice.)
    • Graduates of 2 to 3 year college programs are only awarded a certification or associate?s degree in Interior Design. They may only qualify to be assistants to Interior Designer.
    • Graduates of Bachelor Degree program may qualify to enter into a formal Interior Design Apprenticeship Program.
  • Formal training 1 to 3 year apprenticeship after graduation, to gain experience, through the Interior Design Experience Program (Web: http://www.ncidq.com/idep/requirements.htm)
    • Find a qualified Interior Designer that is willing to cooperate and sign the Apprenticeship Agreement Contract.
  • Licensing exam administered by The National Council for Interior Design (Web: http://www.ncidq.com/)
    • To qualify for the examination one needs at least 6 years of a combination of training and education and experience in the field, from which at least 2 years of postsecondary education.
  • Continuing education is recommended and required in order to keep your title as a Certified, Registered, or Licensed Interior Designer.
  • Different specific certification, such as Kitchen or Bath certifications are available, but not required.

Schools in Ontario, Canada

 

The Art Institute of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Web: http://www.trade-schools.net/art-institutes/the-art-institute-of-toronto.asp

 

Fanshawe College - of Applied Arts and Technology
London, Ontario, Canada              
Tel: (519) 452-4430
Fax: (519) 452-4420             
Web: http://www.fanshawec.on.ca/

 

Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology       
Barrie, Ontario, Canada             
Tel: (705) 728-1968             
Web: http://www.georgianc.on.ca/

 

Sheridan College
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Tel: (905) 459-7533
Web: http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca/programs/0708/pintd/

 

Humber College
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tel: (416) 675-6622
Web: http://postsecondary.humber.ca/index.html#

 

Ryerson ? Polytechnic University
Toronto, Ontario, Canada                
Tel: (416) 979-5000             
Web: http://www.ryerson.ca/feas

 

St Clair College                  
Windsor Ontario, Canada             
Tel: (519) 966-1656             
Web: http://www.stclaircollege.ca/

 

For up-to-date information

 

The National Council for Interior Design
Web: http://www.ncidq.com/

 

Careers in Interior Design
Web: http://www.careersininteriordesign.com/

 

Association of registered interior designers of Ontario
Web: http://www.arido.ca/