Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
- I am doing a school project. Where can I get information on a career in interior design?
- What is the difference between a decorator and an interior designer?
- How can I find a reputable interior design school?
- How can I decide on the best interior design school for me?
- What is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER)?
- What does accreditation mean?
- Where can I find a list of accredited interior design programs?
- Are there any correspondence or online courses in interior design?
- Where can I find out about scholarships?
- What is NCIDQ?
- Who is eligible to take the NCIDQ Examination?
-
Do you need to take a workshop to pass the NCIDQ Examination?
- What does NCIDQ offer to candidates who may need to study for the exam?
Answers
1) I am doing a school project. Where can I get
information on a career in interior design?
You’ve come to the right place. This Web site covers all aspects
of careers in interior design, from considering whether it’s the
right profession for you to licensing and professional organizations.
There are many links to other Web sites that may also be helpful.
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2) What is the difference between a decorator
and an interior designer?
While interior decorating is an important aspect of interior design,
interior design encompasses a much greater scope of practice and professionalism.
Interior decorating is the application of finishes, i.e., wallpaper,
fabrics, furniture, etc. An interior designer is a professional who
identifies, researches and creatively solves problems to interpret the
function and quality of the interior environment. A designer is responsible
for performing services relative to interior spaces, including programming,
design analysis, space planning and aesthetics, using specialized knowledge
of interior construction, building codes, equipment, materials and furnishings.
Designers are formally trained to prepare drawings and documents relative
to the design of interior spaces in order to enhance and protect the
health, safety and welfare of the public.
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3) How can I find a reputable interior design
school?
Check the list of interior design programs accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation [www.accredit-id.org]
to find the schools that have been through a rigorous evaluation process
to see if the program meets quality standards. Seeking accreditation
is voluntary, so you won’t find all the reputable schools on this
list, only those that have been successfully evaluated by the Council. If
a school you are interested in is not on the Council's list, you might want
to contact the professional association or employers in the area where
you want to work and ask for advice.
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4) How can I decide on the best interior design
school for me?
Deciding on what type of interior design education you would like to
pursue is a big challenge. There are so many different types of programs:
two years, three years, four years or more, big universities, and private
art schools. Before you can make these big decisions, you really should
start at square one. Do some investigating: Find out what sort of design
they specialize in, who are they accredited by and what that means,
how much the program costs, etc. Then, set up an appointment with a
faculty member. This is a surefire way to decide whether or not a program
is right for you. Ask the faculty member about the types of classes
that are offered, the teaching philosophy of the department, what percentage
of graduates actually pursue interior design and what types of jobs
they have landed. Arming yourself with all the details is the best way
to make an informed decision!
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5) What is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER)?
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER) is an organization that develops standards for interior design education and accredits
academic programs that meet those standards. The Council is an independent,
nonprofit organization. Interior designers and educators from all over
the United States and Canada volunteer to evaluate academic programs
for the Council because they care about high-quality education.
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6) What does accreditation mean?
In the United States and Canada, accreditation is the voluntary self-regulation
process used by colleges, schools and universities, and by specific
academic programs like interior design, to maintain high-quality education.
Accreditation replaces the government regulation of education found
in most other countries around the world. Accreditation is carried out
by private, nonprofit organizations formed for this purpose.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) offers more in-depth
information about accreditation [www.chea.org/public_info/index.asp].
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7) Where can I find a list of accredited interior design programs?
The most reliable source is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation web site. The official list of Council-accredited programs [www.accredit-id.org] is kept up to
date there and has links to many of the schools’ Web sites.
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8) Are there any correspondence or online courses
in interior design?
There are some courses available but you should proceed with caution.
Correspondence programs, as a rule, are not recognized as a sufficient
or credible form of education in the interior design field. You may
get an introduction to interior design, but correspondence programs
most likely will not provide you with the credentials you will need
to take the NCIDQ Examination, be licensed in most states or provinces, or
be hired by most interior design firms. A few credible four-year schools
are offering online programs, but it will be worthwhile to find out
their graduation rates and where their graduates are employed.
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9) Where can I find out about scholarships?
Many schools, foundations, philanthropic institutions, as well as
the federal government offer scholarships, grants and financial assistance.
Check with the financial aid office at the schools you are interested
in to find out what types of support are available. Your local library
may also have a directory of support programs. Check with the reference
librarian.
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10) What is NCIDQ?
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification is an independent,
nonprofit organization that works to identify to the public those interior
designers who have met the minimum standards for professional practice
by passing the NCIDQ Examination. Like the “bar” exam for
the legal profession, the NCIDQ Examination measures the competency
of interior designers to practice as professionals.
Members of NCIDQ are the state/provincial regulatory agencies. These
regulatory agencies use the NCIDQ Examination as a method of determining if
an individual is qualified to be called an interior designer. Individuals
are not eligible for membership in NCIDQ.
There is a list of states and provinces [www.ncidq.org/who/agencies.asp]
that require the exam on the NCIDQ Web site.
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11) Who is eligible to take the NCIDQ Examination?
The exam eligibility requirements include interior design education
and interior design work experience. For details, review the exam requirements
[www.ncidq.org/exam/examreq.htm]
at NCIDQ’s Web site.
NCIDQ recommends that if you reside in a regulated state/province
and/or intend to become licensed in a regulated state/province,
you contact the appropriate state/provincial agency before completing
the NCIDQ application to verify the state’s/province’s requirements
for licensure.
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12) Do you
need to take a workshop to pass the NCIDQ Examination?
No. The emphasis in the NCIDQ Examination is on performance testing that
reflects a common body of knowledge acquired through education and practical
interior design experience. It is recognized, however, that candidates
feel more comfortable taking the NCIDQ Examination if they participate in a
study workshop, since many of the sessions explain the exam process,
provide an overview of content, and identify weak performance areas.
NCIDQ does not provide or endorse any workshop. NCIDQ's member organizations
and professional associations may offer further information on preparatory
courses.
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13) What does NCIDQ offer to candidates who may
need to study for the exam?
NCIDQ publishes free information on the examination format in the
Candidate Handbook and on the NCIDQ Web
site. Also, Practice
Design Problems for Section III, which include blank problem sheets
and a critiqued solution, are available from NCIDQ.
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