Become an interior designer

If you're considering a career in interior design, you should start your research by visiting: careersininteriordesign.com. The site offers an overview of what it takes to become an interior designer in North America. Careers in Interior Design outlines the stages of an interior designer's education and career cycle, gives sample design processes, and provides answers to frequently asked questions.

Interior designers combine creative and artistic vision with research, analysis, and technical knowledge to create interior environments. Interior designers work with clients and other design professionals to develop design solutions that are functional, support the health and safety of the users, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. 

Professional qualifications and educational standards may vary depending on where you choose to practise interior design. To learn more about your province's standards of practice, visit your provincial interior design association's website, or download IDC's chart that outlines each province's professional qualifications.

North American educational standards are set by CIDA, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. These standards address what students must learn to become professional interior designers. Programs that voluntarily meet CIDA requirements are considered to be reliable and to offer quality interior design education. For more information on CIDA, visit accredit-id.org.

 Choosing the school that fits your needs can be difficult. When it comes time to make that decision, be sure to check your provincial association's educational requirements, to ensure you select the school that best meets those standards. Each provincial interior design association sets its educational requirements based on the province's academic objectives.

Following is a list of interior design programs from across Canada. Interior Designers of Canada recognizes quality interior design programs at Canadian universities and colleges through ongoing involvement with these institutions, their students and graduates at the provincial association level. A number of interior design programs on this list are CIDA accredited. Members of IDC have participated in the Council as volunteers on the guidance committee, standards committee, board of visitors, and accreditation committee, since 1972. Download the interior design school list.