What you need to know to become an interior designer. Where to study to become an interior designer: overview of options

An interior designer is a specialist who creates style, ambience and comfort in a room. The profession involves accompanying the entire design process: from project development to the selection of furniture of the appropriate style. Sometimes the responsibilities of a designer include the functions of a foreman: he works closely with builders, is responsible for the timeliness of delivery and quality of materials, meeting deadlines and the wishes of the customer.

What does an interior designer do?

What does an interior designer do and do? The work begins with receiving an order, assessing the individuality of the details and the complexity of bringing the idea to life. When the general concept is determined, the development of the project and its coordination with the customer begins. Based on the approved sketch, a 3D model is created, where every detail is drawn in the smallest detail. The last stage is the implementation of the project and its adjustment as soon as it is ready.

Decent pay, interesting creative work, the opportunity to bring something unique to each project - all this is about the profession of an interior designer. In addition to creative nature, you must have knowledge of special computer programs: Autodesk 3ds Max, 3-D Room Planner, Autodesk Homestyler, etc.

Salary depends on several factors, including: creativity, creative side, knowledge of programs, examples successful work, communication skills. Conventionally, becoming a specialist can be divided into the following stages:

  • specialists without work experience who are educated in this field and know the main trends and styles in interior design;
  • specialists with practical experience in creating interiors for at least 1 year. They are well versed in modern trends, have a portfolio of finished works;
  • interior designers who combine the responsibilities of a designer and a foreman. In addition to the above knowledge, they must navigate among manufacturing companies building materials, have experience working with design in large buildings and premises. Activity in the market for at least 3 years;
  • the highest level of the interior design profession. The specialist must have extensive experience in performing complex technical projects, at least 5 years. Knowledge of foreign languages ​​will be an advantage.

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Pros and cons of working as an interior designer

Advantages:

  • great option for creative personalities. Specialists with excellent artistic skills, communication skills, and visual performance can realize their own potential;
  • demand in the labor market, the opportunity to participate in interesting and exciting projects. Each completed order helps the specialist enter the next step in improving his skills;
  • quite high wages; wealthy people often turn to interior designers.

Flaws:

  • The specialist’s vision does not always coincide with the client. You will either have to spend an endless amount of time convincing the customer, or adapt to his, albeit not the most successful, desires;
  • When searching for objects on your own, you will have to coordinate not only technical part project, but also interact with workers, engineers, and foremen. Working in a studio usually frees you from these responsibilities.

Career growth and remuneration

Often, a young specialist gets a job in a design studio or participates in a collective project. Some time is spent gaining practical skills in working with programs, layouts, and communicating with clients. After this, there are several career development options: moving up the ladder in the company or creating your own studio.

The salary of an interior designer depends on many factors, among which the main ones are: work experience, the number of successfully completed orders (portfolio), and the prestige of the studio. The speed of completing assigned tasks and the number of projects also influence income.

The work of a designer involves a constant search for unique interior solutions. Today there is quite a demand in the labor market. But to become a real professional, it is not enough to have creative thinking; you need to receive a special education. Where to study to find a decent job? We will tell you about this further.

There are different educational institutions that boast practical design departments. We will tell you more about each of them.

Universities

The profession of design can also be mastered at construction universities that have design departments.

  • Diploma of Higher Education.
  • Opportunity to study on a state basis.
  • Design, drawing and spatial thinking skills.
  • Acquaintance with the necessary computer programs that will be useful to you directly for work in the future.
  • After graduating from a higher educational institution, you will be able to work not only as a designer, but also as an architect.
  • It should be noted that in the design environment, professionals with an architectural education are more valued.
  • Study lasts up to 6 years.
  • Big competition. If you score few points, you will have to study on a paid commercial basis or enroll the next year.

Design courses

  • Training with computer programs.
  • You will be able to familiarize yourself with the basics of composition and light.
  • Formation of professional skills.
  • This training is suitable if you already have one higher education.
  • The training lasts several months (options from 6 months to a year are possible).
  • Paid training.
  • You should not expect much from the courses, since the program is very short, you will not be able to obtain the necessary knowledge base.
  • Most likely, you will not be able to find a high-paying job without a college degree.

Seminars and master classes

  • Opportunity to learn from highly qualified professionals.
  • Master classes are most often held during various exhibitions and competitions, so you can not only learn, but also watch the work of professionals.
  • Training is carried out within one day (maximum several).
  • Don't expect to be able to study for that amount of time. short term. Such seminars are designed for people who have certain skills and knowledge.
  • The trainers will not be able to show you all the specific aspects due to lack of time.
  • The topics of the seminars are quite narrow.
  • Wide range of listeners.

As you can see, if you want to work in the design field, but do not have certain skills, you should enroll in higher education institutions. There are some difficulties, for example, a creative competition. You must submit up to 10 homework assignments (the number may vary by institution). You will also take exams in painting, drawing and composition.

The purpose of the exams is to reveal a person’s ability not only to imagine an object, but also to translate its copy on paper.

To pass creative competitions and exams with dignity, you need very careful preparation.

Employment options after graduation may vary, but don't expect to be hired into a high-paying position right away. First you need to have work experience and polish the skills acquired during the training process.

So, where can a designer work:

  • Decorator.
  • Interior designer.
  • Architect.
  • Design assistant.
  • A designer in a highly specialized field (for example, a curtain designer).

We can look at some examples in more detail. Profession - landscape designer implies complex and responsible work. A specialist must know not only the theory, but also be an excellent practitioner.

A profession - a fashion designer will help you join the fashion industry. But this is a rather labor-intensive area, because you will have to develop the concept of clothing collections, select fabrics and accessories, compose technical documentation.

We hope this information will help you find the most best option training, and you can choose the most the best field yours future work, which will bring you only one pleasure.

The first university on our list is the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. Here, at the Faculty of Social and Cultural Activities, you can study in the specialty “Design” and receive a specialization in “environmental designer”. You will have to study here for six years. To enter this faculty, you will also have to pass an exam in your specialty, Russian language and literature (write an essay) and show off your knowledge of Russian history in writing.

The second university on our list is a well-known university in the capital of Russia - Moscow State University of Arts and Industry named after. S.G. Stroganov or "Stroganovka". This university offers free education, plus it also pays scholarships to its students. For admission you will need standard set documents, plus you will also need to provide at least ten works of painting and drawing. Get ready to go through a rather difficult competition. If you got in, congratulations! Now you will have to study here for six years to obtain your diploma.

The third university is Moscow State University of Design and Technology. It has a division called the Institute of Design, where you will be trained in the specialty “Design” with the qualification “Environmental Designer”. You will have to study here for the same standard six years. To join, you must pass a test, which takes the form of viewing author's works on drawing, composition and painting (there must be at least ten works), in addition you will have to pass exams in painting, composition and drawing, and pass testing in the Russian language and literature, cultural history.

Next, let's talk about the Institute of Design and Applied Arts, which is part of the Moscow state university service. Here they offer you training in the specialty “Interior and Applied Arts”. It is also necessary to study for six years. To enter, you will need to pass exams - composition (major) and competitive exams - painting, drawing, and pass two tests - Russian languages ​​and Russian history.

Moscow State Textile Academy named after. A.N. Kosygina is in fifth place on our list. It offers training in a special specialization - “Artistic design of fabrics for the interior.” Training lasts from three and a half to six years.

The Humanitarian and Applied Institute MPEI TU is in sixth place. It offers training in the specialty “Artistic design of residential and public interiors”. Entrance tests are standard, full-fledged.

Next come the non-state universities of the capital of Russia. They do not impose strict criteria for admission and select applicants based on the results of an interview and screening creative works(at least five). Such universities include the Institute of Open Business Education and the Faculty of Practical Design. Full-time (full-time) design training is offered. The course program is designed for five and a half years of study. The program includes such blocks of disciplines as: engineering and technical, artistic and design and humanitarian. You will have to pay about 60,000 rubles per year for training.

The Humanitarian-Ecological Institute offers training in three cycles. The cost of training here ranges from 6,300 rubles to 35,000 rubles for one semester (depending on the type and form of training).

Accelerated individual programs training, as well as day and evening training will be offered to you by the National Institute of Design. The cost of full-time education here is fifty thousand rubles per year. Upon graduation, you will also become the owner of a certificate from the Union of Designers of Russia.

Natalia Nesterova's new Moscow University also has a design department. In terms of terms and form of study, the university offers standard conditions - six years of full-time study. The cost is forty thousand rubles per semester

Design courses

There are short-term courses in Moscow where you can learn design, which, of course, have their pros and cons. There are slightly more courses than universities or, say, institutes. The disadvantages of the courses include: they are not deep enough and practical knowledge(compared to university). The advantages include a flexible training schedule (you can study both in the morning and in the evening, during the day or on a day off), you do not have to go through a competition upon admission, and the courses do not last as long as studying at a university.

Very often, the training that courses or design schools provide gives only superficial knowledge of the subject, but at the same time you will also receive up-to-date practical solutions, which will help you navigate the field of design regarding whether you want to engage in design in the future, and how. It often happens that, having entered a university and studied there for several years, you realize that you no longer want to engage in your chosen profession in the future. Upon completion of the courses, you can optionally continue your studies in your chosen specialty at a university.

Moscow design schools offer a middle solution between university courses and programs. For example, it offers training in design from scratch. The duration of training lasts from five months to one year and depends on the specialty you choose, the form of training (full-time - morning, afternoon, evening; part-time - morning or afternoon; and special intensive for the summer - morning or afternoon), and There are also master classes here. By studying at this school, you will be able to obtain a specialty in “interior design,” “decor,” “drawing and graphics,” and landscape design.” The school practices theoretical field trips and practical classes. There are also foreign internships here. Tuition will cost approximately five thousand dollars per course.
offers various one-year courses in environmental design. Training is available both daytime and evening. The specialty "environmental design" includes the following - interior decoration and stylization, landscape design, decorative and artistic interior design, interior design, architectural design.

At school modern design you will receive training as a specialist designer in interior design, phytodesign and floristry, landscape design. Here you are offered short-term training. You will have to pay a little for the Interior Design course less than a thousand Euro.

Offers both short and distance programs, as well as ten-month and two-year courses full cycle for interior designers. The courses were developed taking into account international standards designer profession. The standards were determined by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). IN curriculum In addition to lectures and practical classes, it also includes trips to exhibitions, salons and companies. There is also assistance in preparing and defending a full-fledged thesis. Upon completion of your studies, you will receive a diploma that will confirm your qualifications as an interior designer as an interior architect and decorator. Tuition costs approximately $7,900 for two years and $4,870 for ten months

Short-term interior design courses have a narrower focus. For example, in Training center at the Institute information technologies you will be trained as a designer. Upon completion of training you will receive a state-issued certificate. The training program is designed for 92 academic hours and includes the history of interior design styles and the design of specific interiors. For individual training on courses (including discounts) you will have to pay approximately thirty thousand rubles.

In addition to design courses, the Training Center on Tverskaya also offers courses for florists and interior designers. The course at the center is designed for 50 academic hours and costs on average approximately five to seven thousand rubles per course.

On choice professional work design is usually chosen by people with creative abilities and outlook on life. The goal of such a specialty, in whatever field design may be, is the ability to determine best qualities product and produce it in the most attractive form for the buyer. Therefore, in addition to a person’s ability to draw well or combine colors, there must be overall development and the ability to create structured relationships.

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What subjects need to be taken as a designer?

We live in a time when design can help a person make a choice. It is the outer shell that gives an idea of ​​the quality of the product and the need for its existence among the buyer. The designer must be able to understand what the buyer needs to see and subtly sense the customer’s requirements. Thus, this one covers many aspects of the human humanities, including psychology. The field of design seems to be very interesting for young people from different points of view:

  1. This profession is growing rapidly. For a person who does not like monotony and is ready for constant change, studying new trends will be interesting to cover new unexplored islands of knowledge about the chosen subject. With the advent of new technologies and evolving professions, new varieties of designers are appearing in the market.
  2. It's profitable. Just a few decades ago, designers were considered people who could not find a “normal” job or did not have required volume knowledge to gain access to another profession. This misconception is still floating around the people, which is actually false information. A specialist in this field will earn much more than “office plankton”, managers and managers. In addition, of all creative fields, designer leads the list of the most profitable professions.
  3. This is a new way to dating. Yes, there are people who choose the field of design because of the opportunity to communicate with people from different walks of life. Although similar reason may seem trivial to some, designers often have the opportunity to meet interesting, famous personalities. Frequent travel and business trips ensure that your company is located in different corners peace.

If we sum up what a person involved in design is like, we can draw several conclusions:

  • It is necessary creative person . It’s hard to imagine how a designer who is not keen and understands nothing about art will try to squeeze out something creative and aesthetic. Therefore, to become good designer, you need to be able to at least draw.
  • Flexible and willing to take risks. It’s rarely talked about, but almost half of design consists of a person’s ability to take risks and adapt to changing trends. If a designer knows how to subtly sense the wave of popular trends that exist among people, then he will be able to control them through his design.
  • This is a computer friendly specialist. It's hard to imagine in modern world at least one kind of designer that doesn't need special equipment and computer programs. New technologies make it easy to create more interesting and high-quality designs. To become a sought-after specialist, you need to follow updates in the world of technology and, naturally, the release of new graphic editors.

It is thanks to such small information about the general image of the person who will be engaged in design that we can intuitively imagine what subjects need to be taken for this profession.

What do you need to take for admission?

There is a list compulsory subjects which the applicant is required to take for any creative specialty. This list also applies to the designer:

  1. Russian language (or other official language in the country).
  2. Story.
  3. Literature.
  4. Creative competition. It is this stage that causes large quantity difficulties for people who are going to subsequently study to become a designer. The creative competition is presented differently by different universities, so you need to prepare for it solely based on your personal requirements for a higher education institution. In general, we can say that it is usually art competition, which seems to be the applicant’s need to draw a picture or composition within a certain period of time.

The first place in the list of the most popular areas in design is assigned to industrial design, since it includes the most extensive opportunities and work. The task of a specialist in this field is to create not only beautiful, but also the most functional items. A person involved in industrial design must understand how to combine beauty and practicality.

The natural duties of a profession of this kind will be the creation of models of objects and things for various uses. This could be a label for a new product or a store display.

You can apply for the following specialties:

  • decorator;
  • layout designer;
  • interior designer.

Besides, Industrial Design has the opportunity to train students after ninth and eleventh grades. For admission you need to know the following subjects:

  1. Story.
  2. Russian language.
  3. Creative competition.

This is a broad aspect that includes a huge variety of people with different creative abilities and potential. This includes illustrators, artists, graphic designers and web designers. More often graphic design involves the ability to create functional and practical design site.

For this reason, graphic designer a necessary requirement, in addition to fine artistic taste, is good knowledge computer system and programs.

To enroll in graphic design you need to take the following subjects:

  1. Mathematics.
  2. Russian language.
  3. Physics and computer science.
  4. Literature and creative competition.

It is necessary to take into account that you can apply to become a graphic designer only after the eleventh grade.

Another quite popular trend among designers. Specialists in this field can create outfit collections, study folk traditions, learn to select fabrics and accessories, select clothes.

What subjects do you need to take to become a clothing designer:

  1. Russian language.
  2. Creative competition.
  3. Story.

Admission to this specialty is truly good decision, since it is possible to become a clothing designer and study in this specialty even after completing the ninth grade.

Interior designer

Many people mistakenly believe that interior designers are exclusively involved in designing houses and apartments. Their responsibilities, in fact, include a much more extensive list, such as studios, shops, offices and other types of premises. Interior designers are considered one of the most in demand on the labor market, so it is not surprising that most applicants choose this area for their further development.

To become an interior designer, you need to know the following subjects:

  1. Russian language.
  2. Story.
  3. Creative competition.

In any case, no matter what direction in the creative specialty someone chooses, it is always the right path to an interesting future and adventures. It is important to take preparation and admission into account, but also not to forget about your real desires and dreams.

Where is the best place to study interior design?

Is it necessary to get a higher education?

Where to go to study to become a designer?

All my life I have dreamed of becoming an interior designer, but I don’t know how. Tell me?

How to become a designer from scratch?

How to choose interior design courses?

Do you need to be good at drawing to become a designer?

All these questions are often asked to me in my environment and in in social networks. Therefore, I finally decided to open this topic and write an article.

Who am I and why did I allow myself to write about how to become an interior designer.

My name is Pavel Gerasimov. I am an interior designer and co-director of the Geometrium workshop.

A few years ago I asked myself the same question, but I couldn't get started. How many of yourselfI remember I always loved to watch "Housing Question" on NTV and dreamed of becoming a designer.

When I finally got tired of dreaming, I took an interior design course, but the first problem I encountered was that we didn’t study interiors. We drew lines, circles, painted different colors a sheet of paper, and I sincerely did not understand how I would use it in my work.

My patience quickly ran out and I took on my first coffee bar project for “free”. During the project there arose great amount questions. I ran to designers and architects for advice and so, with their help, I completed the first project. As a token of gratitude, I received the first, quite decent, money from the client.

Now about 15-20 large and small projects have already been completed. I strive for teamwork and development.

In my opinion, a designer is a practitioner. The more practice a designer has, the more competent he is. It is very important to experiment, to delve into the essence and properties of materials. It is very important to delve into engineering things and have an idea of ​​​​how to bring this or that solution to life. The final result of a designer is not what he draws or invents, but what he brings to life. Everyone goes their own way and, in the end, becomes a professional in their field.

How to become an interior designer - 4 development paths

In the process of studying and communicating with real designers, I determined 4 ways to develop a designer from scratch.


The first way is specialized education at an institute for 4-6 years

This is probably the best and most proven method over the years. At the institute you can gain a huge amount of knowledge. You will have time to study each topic in great detail. Ergonomics, color, materials, etc.

Another plus I can note is that education can be obtained for free. The only downside is that you will have to spend at least 6 years (preparing for admission + studying).

Another minus is (for some it’s a minus, for others it’s a plus), in addition to the actual practice of interior design, there is a huge number of subjects that have nothing to do with design, but on which you will have to spend time and take tests.


The second way is interior design courses

Pros: the courses are designed for 1-2 years of intensive training. Nothing extra - just specialized knowledge. Often, this is an abbreviated and simplified program of the institute.

Disadvantages: often, teachers in these schools do not have much experience (the same disadvantage is found in institutes). It happens that a person who studied at an institute does not realize himself as a practicing designer (did not get a job, did not find clients on his own), in this case he has nothing left to do but transfer knowledge in the same institute, or in some friend educational institution(for example, design courses).

The price for such courses starts from 80 thousand to 500 thousand rubles or more (if you take full-fledged one-year programs, and not “design in 2 weeks”).


The third way is to learn from a practicing designer

You can become an apprentice, you can seek advice, ask to teach, and, in some cases, pay money for them.

On the plus side: you can immediately practice under the mentorship of a designer. Available quick results without unnecessary theory. Only to the point and to the point.

Of the minuses: it can be difficult and difficult. You need to jump right in and learn quickly. Since a professional in his field usually has very little time.


The fourth way is self-education

Perhaps this is the longest and most difficult path. I call it “All by myself.” You can spend years going through a bunch of books. Make mistakes and correct your mistakes. I highly recommend not doing everything yourself. It’s better to ask someone “experienced” for advice. This will make your life much easier. Especially if you want to implement projects on a construction site.


Do you need to be able to draw?

Of course, it is advisable to be able to, but this is not a prerequisite. The ability to draw helps in the development of a designer, but this is not a prerequisite, as practice shows. I talked to professional designers who draw so-so, but their projects are very worthy. There is no need to learn to draw before you start learning to design. In the process you can develop into different directions: draw by hand, design in 3D max, sketch up, develop working drawings project design. In our age of technology, the ability to draw is becoming an auxiliary skill for a designer.


Let's summarize. Any path you choose will be correct. It is important to remember that practice and theory are different things. It is necessary to acquire knowledge, but it is also important to consolidate it in practice. Do as many projects as possible, seek advice, until they start asking you for advice. And even when they start contacting, continue to consult with authoritative people. After all, an interior designer is constant process development.

I hope my article was useful to you. Like it! If your friends have already eaten your ear off with stories about how he wants to become a designer, repost and help the person.