Interior Design Education

What are the most popular specialties within the field of Interior Design?

The biggest "specialties" that most interior design students will distinguish in the course of their education is between Residential and Contract/Commercial design. Every program is different, but I am not aware of any that specializes in only one of these areas.

There are also specialties, such as kitchen and bathroom design, textiles or colors, etc. - but there aren't majors in these fields, per se. Rather, they're just part of an overall program which interior design students may choose to study through required or elective classes.

Can majors other than Interior Design prepare a student for a career in the field? If so, what are the other academic options?

The best preparation for a career in interior design is from a program accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER). However, individuals with degrees in other areas (i.e. architecture, industrial design) have been able to sit for the NCIDQ exam and practice interior design.

Interior Design students can pursue certifications, BAs, BFAs, MAs and MFAs. Any other academic options? Professionally speaking, what level of education is important in the field and why?

Besides the programs listed above, some institutions offer non-credit programs or workshops. You may even be able to take courses on a non-matriculated basis. But in order to become a professional in the field of Interior Design, one has to pass the two-day exam given by NCIDQ. In most states, passing this exam is required in order to become licensed or certified. In some states you cannot even call yourself an interior designer unless you have passed the NCIDQ test. This is the direction the profession is moving and the importance of being state-certified is generally recognized.

Modern House Design

Mount Baker Residense designed by Pb Elemental Architecture, located in the Mount Baker neighborhood of Seattle, this dramatic home is perched on a hill, high above the street. The design captures the territorial views of the surrounding rooftops with floor to ceiling glass and roof top deck.

The 3,600 sqft home includes four bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a large open living floor with ten foot-tall ceilings and a two car garage with a 400 sqft roof deck above. Additionally, the home includes a separate, one bedroom apartment unit on the lower level, complete with a wrap-around patio.

The structure was conceived as the juxtaposition of three pure volumes, each containing a unique programmatic element. In turn, each element is clad with clear cedar, cement board or concrete to emphasize the massing.

Architects: Pb Elemental Architecture
Location: Seattle, Washington, US
Structural Engineer: Pangeo
Landscape: Volz Landscaping
Constructed Area: 2.940 sqft (273 sqm)
Project year: 2007
Construction year: 2008
Photographs: Pb Elemental Architectur

Modern Italian Kitchen Design

Futura Cucine is an Italian company, specialized in the manufacture of kitchen furniture. Futura Cucine offers creativ design and high quality product. One of them is the last set –Giada, modular furniture made of oak. The doors are 20 mm thick oak veneered chipboard with 20/10 mm thick solid wood edge on 4 sides.Unusual furniture of Giada is characterized by elegant and functional design that will stand the transitional fashion trends. Kitchen furniture have clear vision and simple, minimalist forms that create a sense of organization and order in the interior.

Required vision of the kitchen is largely due to modern doors made from scratch resistant veneer that is finished in dramatic black for a strong visual impact. The collection is also available in grey oak, dark brown oak, honey oak and natural oak. The beautiful oak wood is complemented by aluminum panel and accessories. Futura Cucine allows you to customize your kitchen by choosing the color of acidated glass or lacquered glass, colours available: white, sand, orange, coffee, red, burgundy, green, anthracite or black.