Interior designers generally need a college education, preferably a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree. Interior designers must also be knowledgeable about Federal, state, and local codes, and toxicity and flammability standards for furniture and furnishings. A liberal arts education, with courses in merchandising, business administration, marketing, and psychology, along with training in art, can be a good background for a career in interior design. Persons with training or experience in architecture can also qualify for positions in interior design. Many employers expect new designers to be familiar with the use of the computer as a design tool.
Interior designers use computers to create numerous versions of space designs.
Images can be inserted, edited, or replaced - making it possible for a client to see and choose among several designs. In furniture design, a chair's basic shape and structure may be duplicated and updated by applying new upholstery styles and fabrics with the use of computers. The Foundation for Interior Design Education Research accredits interior design programs and schools. Currently, there are over 100 accredited programs in the United States and Canada located in schools of art, architecture , and home economics. The District of Columbia licenses interior designers, and 16 states regulate use of the title.