CAREER IN INTERIOR DESIGNING

Interior designers do space planning, taking into account aesthetics and inspect work on-site, using specialised knowledge of interior construction, building systems and components, building regulations, equipment, materials and furnishings and prepare drawings and documents relative to the design of interior space. They are responsible for the interiors of buildings (whereas an architect is responsible for its shell). Interior designers must be able to read blueprints, understand building and fire regulations and know how to make space accessible to people who are disabled.
SUITABILITY
You should possess a natural aptitude for art as well as an eye for colour and a feel for fabric. You would need considerable technical and product knowledge and technical drawing skills, either on paper or with computer aided design (CAD). Designers need to be well-read, open to new ideas and influences and quick to respond to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and under pressure are additional important traits. Good business sense and sales ability are also important, especially if you freelance or run your own business. You need to be able to work closely with other people.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Diploma courses (for a duration of two or three years) in interior design or interior design and decoration are offered after class 10 at polytechnics and vocational training schools. A few universities offer three-year/four year bachelor degree programmes to students completing class 12/equivalent. Sometimes a Bachelor of Fine Arts may offer the option of
specialisation in interior decoration.
ADMISSION PROCESS
In most cases, you would need to qualify an aptitude test before getting admission that would assess your imagination, lateral thinking, exposure to basic design and interiors, sensitivity to colour, 3D form, visual order, craft skills, visual perception and logic.
INSTITUTIONS
Sir J J School of Art, Dr D N Road, Mumbai-400001(BFA with Interior Decoration) CEPT University, Ahmadabad (www.cept.ac.in) Nirmala Niketan, College of Home Science, Mumbai (www.nirmalaniketan.com) Premlila Vithaldas Polytechnic, Mumbai (http://www.pvpsndt.org/) National Institute of Design, Ahmadabad (www.nid.edu)
Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture 278, Shankar Ghanekar Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai-400025
L S Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai (www.lsraheja.com)
Rizvi Collage of Fashion Design and Creative Arts Off Carter Rd, Sherly Rajan Village , Bandra W, Mumbai-400051
M H Saboo Siddik, 8 Shepherd Road, Byculla, Mumbai-400008
SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai (http://sndt.digitaluniversity.ac) MSBTE (www.msbte.com) for polytechnics in other parts of Maharashtra Vadodara Design Academy, Vadodara (www.vda.in) National School of Interior Design, Rajkot (www.designschoolIndia.com) Arvindbhai Patel Institute of Environmental Design, Vallabh Vidyanagar (www.apied.in) Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women, Pune (www.bnca.ac.in)