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Interior Designer - How to get into this job

Kaitātai o-Roto

Entry Requirements

To become an interior designer you need to have a degree or diploma in interior design. An architecture, interior architecture or industrial design qualification is also useful.

Secondary Education

To enter tertiary training, Sixth Form Certificate or NCEA Level 2 is needed.

Useful subjects include:

art and design
art history
English
graphics
computing and technology
maths.

Many tertiary providers require design students to present a portfolio of work when applying for a place on a course.

Get help with choosing school subjects

Tertiary Education

To become an interior designer you need to have a degree or diploma in interior design.

Design Institute of NZ website - read more about design course providers

Relevant courses

Interior and Environmental Design

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Interior designers may attend workshops, courses and seminars to keep their skills up to date.

"Once you begin working in a design office it is common to pick up computer drawing skills by observing others and through on-the-job training and guidance."

Neville Parker - Interior Designer

Registration

Interior designers can apply for a professional licence under the Licensed Building Practitioners scheme. The Department of Building and Housing recognises their professional competence at three levels:

Design 1 (houses)
Design 2 (complex commercial or residential buildings)
Design 3 (large or publicly important buildings).

Applicants will be assessed on their work history, professional references and qualifications. They will have an opportunity to present their design portfolios during a face-to-face assessment with the Licensing Board.

The licensing scheme is currently voluntary, but will become mandatory in November 2010 for those who want to lead design projects.

Department of Building and Housing website - information about licensing for designers (PDF - 174KB)

Useful Experience

Useful experience includes:

any work related to rebuilding or refitting building interiors
industrial design or other design work
architecture or architectural draughting work
civil engineering
work in interior decorating or textiles
overseas travel.

"I was so lucky to get some work experience during my tech course – I learned so much. I could ask the experienced consultants questions, which was a really positive part of my learning."

Fiona Tregonning - Interior Designer

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Updated September 2009

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