Career in Interior Design After 12th: Scope, Salary & Courses Explained

Are you someone who has always been drawn towards the world of creative possibilities in the realm of room decor, style, and architecture? Do you find yourself imagining ways in which you could enhance the aesthetics of a space, in homes and cafes, and a multitude of other places? If you feel you can envision and conjure up the organisational and creative aesthetics of colour schemes, designs, and furnishing, then interior designing might be the best-suited graduation programme for you. 

Interior Designers only decorating rooms is now a lore of the past. In this fast-growing industry, the artist is a skilled professional who can style up vacant spaces while simultaneously looking out for patterns, combinations, and refreshing unique presentations that are safe, comfortable, and accessible according to various client expectations. This is one of the fastest-growing industries in India, with research reports suggesting how it is projected to reach USD 65.01 billion by 2031 and is currently pegged at USD 35.48 billion in 2026. 

If you are enthusiastic about this burgeoning career field and want to make an informed and confident choice, then this article might just be the right one for you. Read on to find out about the eligibility criteria, requisite skills, scope, job roles, salary expectations, and more!

What is Interior Design?

Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the internal space of any building structure to make it functional, safe, comfortable, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. It’s not limited to decorating rooms — it’s includes studying spaces, planning layouts, selecting materials, managing space efficiently, and understanding client needs and matching their expectations. 

Interior designers work on:

• Homes and apartments
• Offices and corporate spaces
• Hotels and resorts
• Restaurants and cafés
• Retail stores
• Exhibition spaces
• Film and TV sets
• Educational institutes
• Recreation centres and auditoriums

They combine creativity with technical knowledge and scientific know-how to produce spaces that speak personality, comfort, and purpose. nd job opportunities in regional and metropolitan regional development department, town planning bureaus and public works departments since these professionals are appointed by these departments for effective completion of projects.

Interior Designing sector in India is poised for huge growth. According to a survey in India, the market is expected to grow by 20% by the end of 2020.

Why Should you go for a career in Interior Design after 12th?

A Career in Interior Design is well-suited for those students who want a profession that would ideally be:

1. Structured yet indulging their creativity.
2. Technical with an artistic niche
3. Well-paid and pragmatic for the current climate.
4. Globally relevant and flexible.

There are a few reasons why a student could choose interior design:

1. Massive requirement in both construction and real estate.
2. Option to either create one’s own studio or even serve independently.
3. Creative license, joy, and satisfaction.
4. Much needed exposure to trends, both national and international.
5. Scope in a variety of sectors, which include luxury, residential, and commercial. 

Unlike other careers of a traditional nature, a career in interior design would allow a student to utilise their creativity and personality to influence their success directly.ther careers of a traditional nature, a career in interior design would allow a student to utilise their creativity and personality to influence their success directly.

👉 Download the Interior Design Course Brochure to see subjects, duration, and career path.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for a Career in Interior Design?

What sets a career in interior design apart from other professions is its primarily flexible entry route. 

Who are deemed eligible to pursue interior design after 12^th?

1. Students who have previously studied in any stream- Arts, Commerce, or Science.
2. A minimum qualification of 12^th pass from any nationally recognized board. 
3. There are a few institutes that might require:
   i. Design or aptitude tests to see if the student would fit their curriculum and mode of teaching.

ii. Entrance exams

iii. Personal interview, and in a few cases, portfolio.

Interestingly, an intermediate knowledge of mathematics is preferred (albeit not always mandatory), especially for those advanced courses that would require layouts and measurements. 

What are the Courses that offer a Career in Interor Designing after 12th?

There are multiple academic courses entirely dependent on a student’s goals, budget, and time investment. 

1. Bachelor’s Degree

Naturally, this is the most comprehensive, and therefore the majorly popular option. The duration of this programme is 3-4 years. The degrees offered are 

1. Bachelor of Design in Interior Design
2. Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
3. Bachelor of Interior Design

In this programme, a student would be taught-

1. Principles of Design
2. Space planning
3. Visualization and Drawing
4. Building materials
5. 3D and CAD software
6. Lighting and Furniture Design
7. Professional practice

2. Diploma Courses in Interior Design

This course is offered for a duration of 1-2 years and is ideal for those students who expect a quicker entry into this industry. The features of this degree are:

1. Affordable
2. Skill- oriented
3. Job focused
4. Practical training

Diploma holders usually gain employment as design assistants, junior designers or site coordinators. 

3. Certificate Courses

Certificate courses are offered for a duration of 3-12 months. These courses are best suited for:

1. Beginners expressing their interest in the profession.
2. Professionals who are gainfully employed in other industries.
3. Students who want specific skills, such as SketchUp or AutoCad etc. 

4. Master’s Degree in Interior Design

After graduation, students would also be eligible to pursue:
i. MFA in Interior Design
ii. MFA in Interior Design

This course is tailor-made for those students who are aiming for research, academic, or higher-end design roles. 

Are there Entrance Exams for a Career in Interior Design?

There are a few reputed institutions that conduct entrance tests in order to assess the aptitude and creativity of the students.

Common Entrance Exams:

1. NID DAT
2. NIFT Entrance Exam
3. CEED
4. Aptitude tests which are institute specific.

These exams are designed to test the:
a. Visual imagination
b. Logical reasoning
c. Drawing skills
d. Design sensitivity

What are some of the skills required for a career in Interior Design?

In order to succeed in a career in interior design, one would need to mix their technical skills with their creative side. 

Necessary Skills

1. Visualization and drawing
2. Imagination and their creative utilization
3. Detail oriented
4. Client handling and communication
5. Problem solving
6. Time management
7. Information about trends and materials. 

Technical Skills

1. SketchUp
2. AutoCAD
3. Revit
4. Photoshop
5. 3ds Max

It is important to note that soft skills are quite essential since designers would be interacting constantly with contractors, clients, and vendors.

👉 Join Our Interior Design Foundation Program & Learn AutoCAD, SketchUp & Revit.

What is the career scope in Interior Design?

It would be unwise to negate the importance and scope of interior design, which is expanding rapidly. Some of the popular career options are:

• Commercial Interior Designer: A commercial Interior Designer works to create functional and aesthetically appealing spaces for commercial establishments such as office, hotels, malls, restaurants and cafes, hospitals, educational institutes, research centres, etc. They focus on building brand identity, customer experience, and device creative designs to adhere to public safety regulations in these places.
• Residential Interior Designer: They plan and design personalised living space for in-house settings and mostly indoor spaces, as well as residential units like apartments and complexes.  
• Furniture Designer: They are exclusively specialised in designing functional, innovative, and ergonomic furniture, managing client expectations and the trends of the time. They might work independently or with companies to develop products and designs.
• Office Space Planner: This section of interior designers work exclusively for designing office space prioritising space utilisation and safety norms, while ensuring productivity, workflow efficiency and employee comfort.
• Lighting Designer: These designers engage with lighting concepts and create designs that complement and enhance ambience, functionality, and visual appeal of indoor spaces.
• Set Designer for Films, TV, or OTT: They design and build sets for the entertainment industry that are best-suited for the script’s settings, scope, and mood. The set designers work with directors and art teams to create the most effective sets.
• Sustainable Design Consultant: A rather new and emergent field in interior designing, a Sustainable Design Consultant advises energy-efficient, eco-friendly design solutions, aiming to reduce environmental detriment while maintaining aesthetic standards.
• Retail and Exhibition Designer: They make engaging and attractive spaces for retail and exhibition set-pieces in order to catapult brand image and draw customers.

Interior Designers often find gainful employment in:

• Architecture firms
• Design studios
• Real Estate
• Corporate offices
• Hotels and hospitality chains

There are also professionals who opt for entrepreneurship or freelancing, which would often offer a higher income potential. 

What is the Salary in a career in Interior Design?

Salary in a career in interior design often depends on location, experience, reputation, and skills. 

Average Salary in India

1. Fresher: Rs. 2.5- Rs. 4.5 LPA
2. Mid-level (3-5 years): Rs. 6- Rs. 10 LPA
3. Senior Designers: Rs. 12- Rs. 20+ LPA

Freelancers and Studio Owners

• Their growth in income is often proportional to their growth in network and portfolio. 
• Earnings are mostly project-based.
• Ability and opportunity to earn Rs. 50,000 to several lakhs per project.

👉 Check Placement Support & Internship Opportunities.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Career in Interior Design?

Similar to other professions, there are a few advantages and disadvantages to a career in interior design.

Advantages:

1. Creative satisfaction
2. Flexible work opportunities
3. Growing demand in the market
4. Career mobility throughout the globe
5. Flexible work opportunities

Disadvantages:

1. Initial income might not be as gainful.
2. The field is highly competitive.
3. Deadlines can be tight.
4. Revisions and client expectations are aplenty.

Nevertheless, these challenges can be easily adapted to, with a burgeoning consistency and passion. 

What is the Future of Interior Design?

There is always a possibility that a student would wonder about the future prospects of interior design as a whole. The future, therefore, is closely linked with:

• Sustainable design which is also eco-friendly.
• Smart homes.
• Design tools which are AI-based.
• Functional and minimalist living.
• 3D visualization and virtual reality. 

It has been prophesized that designers who would adapt to sustainability and technology will have a far stronger competitive edge. 

IS a Career in Interior Design Perfect for you?

A career in interior design is perfect for you if you:

• Like working on practical projects to get a hands-on approach.
• Enjoy design and creativity.
• Are comfortable with both technical and art tools.
• Want a career that is not traditional or conventional. 

👉 Book a Free Career Counselling Session to explore Interior Design as a profession.

Conclusion

A career in interior design after 12^th would open doors to a profession that is not just dynamic but also rewarding and creative. With skills, dedication, and education ear-marked for this profession, one can ideally build a very successful career designing spaces that would influence the lives of people around them.

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