Study Interior Design Abroad!

Introduction to Interior Design

In the 21st century, people are fond of having a tasteful interior design to improve the overall look of their space. An organised and well-decorated home does wonders to its residents; they feel comfortable and relaxed which then helps improve their quality of life.

If your passion lies in beautifying spaces, the Interior Design program is your calling. An interior designer is responsible for balancing the elements that create an aesthetically pleasing space. These elements include space, forms, line, light, colour, texture, and pattern. Interior design requires a creative mind and artistic skills. Furniture like couch, table and chairs, curtains, and cabinets are carefully chosen and coordinated to create the best effect according to the function of each room.

With an eye for detail, an interior designer is also an expert in the tricky area of colour coordination. Colours are important for a space to look pleasing. Colour combination also varies for each type of space. Muted earth tones are preferred in restaurants, whereas colours in an office should reflect the company’s line of profession.

Discover where your interior design expertise lies in the list of fields below.

Fields of Interior Design

There are six fields of Interior Design that you can choose from as your major. You can pick from these specializations:

Residential Interior Design

Interior designers in this field are involved first-hand in their projects. An interior designer can participate in the renovation process of different spaces (homes, real estates, home improvement stores) like building customised furniture, repositioning doors and windows, and developing blueprints and layouts.

Commercial Interior Design

Commercial buildings like restaurants, offices, studios, and museums seek interior designers to help create an interior environment that reflects their profession. From lighting to flooring, you will design aesthetically pleasing space while maintaining its functionality. Interior designers in this field work closely with architects and engineers to create a space that meets clients’ goals and budget.

Space Planning Consultancy

Space allocation, functionality and adaptability is crucial in interior design. As a space planning advisor, you develop layouts based on the requirements and functions of a space. This means planning the placement of furniture, ensuring efficient traffic-flow, and creating practical space design within a given budget.

Sustainable Interior Design

More people are moving towards a sustainable lifestyle. This means incorporating energy-saving and eco-friendly materials in the interior of homes and buildings to reduce pollution. In sustainable interior design, you can unleash your creativity by integrating wood, bamboos, and recycled materials into your designs.

Set Design

If you’ve watched the sitcom Friends, notice how the setup reflects the theme and identity of the show and its characters. This specific field is called Set Design. As a set designer, you also design sets for musical, movies, and talk shows. You are required to study scripts to understand and correctly reflect the background descriptions of the story in your designs.

Retail Design

Retail is all about shopping malls, boutiques, and shopfronts. Designing the interior for these buildings can be challenging but also fun. Whether it is the composition, display design, colour schemes, signage graphics, or lighting, your role as a retail designer is to invite potential customers to enter the designed space and hopefully to make a purchase.

What are the skills needed?

Creative – You will be required to present multiple options to your clients. You must be creative and resourceful when combining colours, textures, lights, and materials to design an inviting interior space.

Adaptable – Every project varies in terms of expectations, design, and architecture. You should be flexible in departments like sketching, computer work, architecture, sustainable practices, and communication.

Interpersonal Skills – Interior designers work closely with clients to discuss about design solutions and materials that are attractive, functional, and safe. This means you have to be comfortable with face-to-face meetings and phone calls.

How long will I study this program?

The study duration could vary from one institute to another. However, as a general estimate, we have compiled a general estimate of the duration according to the study levels and qualifications.

  • Foundation/Diploma: 1 – 2 Years
  • Bachelor’s Degree: 3 Years
  • Master’s: 2 – 4 Years
  • PhD: 1 Year

What are the entry requirements for this qualification?

  • Degree:
    • STPM: Minimum 2 Passes in relevant subjects
    • A-Levels: 2 principal passes or equivalent
    • SAM: Tertiary Entrance Rank of 70, Grade B in 2 of the relevant subjects
    • CPU: Average of 70% in 6 of the relevant subjects
    • UEC: Grade B in at least five (5) subjects
  • Master’s:
    • A degree in a relevant field or equivalent
  • PhD:
    • A Master’s degree in a relevant field with evidence of related research or work experiences to the satisfaction of the Senate

What are the job opportunities?

  • Textile Designer
  • Furniture Designer
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Production Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Stage Designer
  • Commercial Designer

Are you interested to study this subject in Malaysia?

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