In school we have been talking a lot about the debate of requiring Interior Designers to get a license. Most of the great Interior Designers that I know of never took the NCIDQ to become a licensed Interior Designer. In fact, most don’t even go to school for design.
What do you think? Should Interior Designers be required to get a license to practice design?
What do you think? Should Interior Designers be required to get a license to practice design?
So I've been thinking about this a lot lately, being a student designer! I think experience is much more important than a test, but I think taking the NCIDQ or getting LEED certified are good goals. I don't think any designer should be in a rush to take the test though. Design, design, design – create a portfolio. People like to see pictures, not grades!
No way. That's like saying you can't be an artist without going to art school.
I don't think interior design is something that can just be taught. You also have to have an eye for it. If you could just be taught I would've gone to school for it a long time ago!
that is an interesting thought.
i compare it to when people get a fancy camera and automatically claim to be a photographer. it takes years of practice and skill and is totally cheating people if you aren't certified to do so. whether or not you need an actual license though…might be a good way to weed out the phonies.
what an interesting debate. my thoughts are…
1. You don't need a license if you are making cosmetic changes. New couch, new fixtures, adding curtains.
2. You need a license if you are involved in the designing a home with a builder or architect. Or any project that requires a licensed contractor. Mostly because it's easy to design something pretty but it's another thing if it can be built and structurally sound. The hubs and I learned this when we started designing our home.
If you're only 'decorating' a license really shouldn't be neccessary. It's when you dabble in interior architecture that you better know your codes. This debate was alive and kicking when I was still in school and I graduated in '03! I get it, but I still haven't taken my NCIDQ!
To decorate- no. To do a full scale design- yes. There is no way in H-E-L-L that I would let someone that had not gone to school and become licensed to remodel my home because I wouldn't be able to trust them. I would certainly let them guide me through fabric, furniture and accessory choices though! As a student myself that is all I feel qualifued to do at this point (aesthetics)- (even though I will hire and direct subcontractors when it comes to my own home.) I don't want to be liable for someone else's! Its like you said though, you still need that portfolio, so during that in between time before the license its important to work under someone that is licensed.
if you want to call yourself a "decorator"—do whatever the heck you want.
if you call yourself an "interior designer", you should have a degree or have passed the ncidq.
I agree with the comments- to decorate: no. To design when it comes to codes, etc: yes.
I do think that the test should be rewritten… But I won't start on that!