Interested in becoming an interior designer? You've probably noticed that there are plenty of training programs to choose from, at both the college and university level.

So how do you know which option is best for you? What's the difference between an interior design diploma and an interior design degree?

Both types of programs cover design concepts, technical skills, and industry software. Both typically offer internship opportunities to help students get real-world experience as part of their training.

But degree programs spend a lot more time on design theory while diploma programs are built around practical design skills.

Degree programs are longer and more in-depth; diploma programs are shorter and more streamlined.

In this post, we help you understand the big difference between interior design diplomas and degrees - so you can decide which one is right for you.

Interior design is one of the most interesting, creative, technically challenging careers out there. The industry is huge, with so many ways to specialize and so many different job options.

Want to design homes? Interested in commercial designs for retail stores or hotels? Have a passion for kitchens, bathrooms, small spaces, or eco-friendly materials? Want to own your own interior design business one day?

This field has something for everyone.

We’ve been offering an Interior Design program at Herzing for several years now. When we put together the curriculum, we looked very closely at hiring trends and the specific skills employers are looking for in new designers. 

What kinds of companies are hiring interior designers? What creative and technical skills are most in-demand right now? Who is hiring our graduates? 

There are a lot of different Interior Design programs out there, from DECs to AECs to university degrees.

Longer programs tend to delve deeper into the theory, philosophy, and history of interior design, while shorter programs focus more on practical design skills.

The interior design students we work with at Herzing are an incredibly diverse group, coming from different backgrounds and all ages. Some are recent high school graduates, others are working parents, and quite a few are international students.

Think you have a natural talent for organizing and decorating spaces? Considering becoming an interior designer, but have no idea how to get started?

You've come to the right place! In this post, we provide a mini-roadmap for starting a career in interior design. You don't need a university degree to break into this field. But you do need solid training, hard work, some natural talent, and some professional design experience.

Imagine leaving your home, and travelling across the globe to study in a foreign country, in a foreign language, and build a career from scratch? With no family or professional contacts to help you?

That's exactly what Herzing Interior Design graduate, Sergkei Theocharis, did last year. He travelled all the way to Montreal from Greece, with the dream of starting a design career here in Montreal.

Sergkei just graduated from Herzing last month, and has already landed a pretty amazing interior design job at Primo International.

We interviewed him to learn more about his story, his experience at Herzing, and what he's doing now.

Here are the highlights from that conversation.

Updated January 2021.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of interior design? Room layouts, paint colours, furniture options, the latest design trends—like Bohemian or Mid-Century Modern?

Chances are, you're thinking of residential interior design. The structures we use for living...the spaces we call home. But the truth is, the world of interior design goes way beyond the home. Designers are employed by all kinds of businesses, to create spaces that are both beautiful and practical; cutting-edge and functional.

Do you have a natural talent for organizing rooms, choosing furniture, and really bringing a design scheme together with finishing touches? You can build on those abilities with interior design training, and open up a wide range of job options.

Take a look at 5 different design careers you can pursue with a diploma in interior design.

What's the difference between modern and contemporary interior design? How does industrial differ from Scandinavian—and where does "transitional" fit in?

If you're thinking about a career in interior design, you're probably already familiar with some of these styles, even if you don't know their official names or defining characteristics.

But if you're serious about studying design, you'll want to get a handle on these terms before you walk into your first day of class. Yes, you'll be covering these concepts at school—but knowing the basic differences between today's most popular styles will give you a stronger start.

Full disclosure: We don't have a crystal ball or time machine, so we can't be completely certain which career you are destined to choose.

However, we do know students pretty well. We've spent the last 55 years helping people choose the right diploma programs.

So we know a thing or two about career guidance, and selecting the program that best matches your natural skills and professional goals.

Want to know if an interior design career is in your future?

Interior design careers offer challenges and opportunities across many industries. Have a particular interest in office design?

Want to focus on restaurants or retail spaces? Or perhaps you're passionate about residential design?

There are many niches to explore, and chances to develop an expertise in a particular corner of the market. One pathway students often overlook is industrial design.