What to Expect

Interior design students learn to design attractive and functional rooms in homes and office buildings. There's a lot more to this field than just cool furniture and room accessories.

According to Nadia Orawski, there are many learning styles to choose from in an interior design program. "I am an independent learner," she says. "And I will tend to go off and research for a project before I begin the project."

Sometimes, however, Orawski preferred to collaborate with profs and students. Talking with people in the program, she says, is often the best way to solve problems.

"Talking with the professor of the course is very helpful. And if that is not sufficient, a chat with the chair of the department is always an option."

Stephanie Accipiter took a bachelor of applied design degree, focusing on interior design. In her first year, Accipiter learned the basics of design, like vocabulary, drawing and how to make notebooks. "It's a lot of experimentation in the beginning," she says.

Interior design students, she adds, spend most of their time in the studio. There, they work on technical projects which put classroom training to practical use.

According to Accipiter, you don't have to be an accomplished artist to succeed in an interior design program. At the same time, however, drawing skills are essential.

"Some people do have a gift," she says. "But generally, it's something you just practice and practice and practice and you just get better and better at it."

How to Prepare

High school students can get ahead by working on their drawing techniques and getting a portfolio together early, says Accipiter.

Accipiter discovered her passion for interior design during a post-secondary information session at her high school. "There was someone from the program there and I had a chance to ask them questions," she remembers.

If you have the chance at your high school, suggests Accipiter, go to these information sessions and talk to instructors. They may help you determine your educational goals.