What to do .. interior design or architecture?

Question

I have a good experience in 3D max and from there I got a huge interest in Interior Design and Architecture. I have started with the first year of my college . But I am so confused what to take as my majors. I like interior design and architecture both. Could somebody tell me if I take Architecture, would it be helpful to me if I migrate to some other country where there are no same materials as used in America?

Answer 1

I'm an architect and I do both. It's rare, but being a tech saavy architect who knows interiors design will make you very desirable in the job market. And a better all-round professional. When you can do it all, your options are unlimited professionally.

I work in hi-end custom residential. We design the entire house/estate. Inside and out from the ground up.

Also, hate to say it, but the professional prestige (this is important business-wise) is higher for full service/skilled architects than it is for interiors only professionals. It's also makes your resume look more desirable.

My advice is to get your architecture degree, take as many interiors courses as you can along the way, and feather-in studies on your own in interior design later.

Legally, an architect can practice interior design, but an interior designer can't practice architecture.

Answer 2

an architect can design anything from a spoon to a skyscrapper, LEGALLY... whereas an interior designer can only design something that any parent in the world can... But then again I'm majoring in architecture.
If you are good with 3d max and photoshop and other computer stuff... you could major in architecture and get a side job at a firm doing the 3d works. It would be a good pay depending on how strong you are with those programs. Some people actually just do renderings and make more money than the actual architects! But be sure not to be their cad-monkey... where you only do the renderings...

Answer 3

I went to Pratt Institute for Interior Design and while I was there I learned there is a lot of competition between architects and interior designers. While yes technically architects can be designers too, they DO NOT get the technical training about materials and finishes that an interior designer gets. I find it satisfying that I know what materials to use when furnishing a room that will make it sustainable and the materials I use can be recycled and returned to the earth. Architects mostly focus on the design of the room not the feeling or the material. In the educational scheme. I've had autocad, max and drawing training in order to get my BFA but if I was to go back for architecture, even at Pratt I would have to take those classes over again because they don't accept them because they were only "interior design." Keep that in mind. I'm happy with the desicion I made but you may not want to "limit" yourself to Interior Design.

Answer 4

The beauty of interior design and architecture is that they are so closely related, so if you do one you'll be working closely to the other one. Example, if you're an interior designer, there is a possibility that you can work at an architecture firm. Or, if you're an architect you can work with the interior designer or do the interior design work yourself. Or, you could major in one and minor in the other, or double major. There are a number of possibilities for you. I recommend you just do some research to help you make up your mind.

Answer 5

i have been studying architecture for 3 years and currently I'm doing my Industrial Training at a local architecture firm. Well, take a look at this benefit if you're in the Architecture field. Architects can do both interior and exterior works (you'll be the jack of all trades) but if you're under the ID (interior design) department, you CAN'T design buildings. You can just furnish and renovate the interior part of the building/spaces. Choosing proper concept for the living room with suitable materials and colours, figuring the best arrangements of furniture in a tight space, designing kiosks etc, all with in depth knowledge, is what interiors do. Architects can do it too.. PLUS you can design much more massive things.

But...
If you don't like to take up too much responsibility and think too much of technical stuff like how do u construct this and that, what current technology can do what current things, laying out spaces and make sure the elevations are interesting enough to catch the buyers/clients. then don't take up architecture. it's more of a mixture of science and art. while interior, is more likely towards art and psychology. =)

You choose.

If u need help, just don't hesitate to ask me more. I'll be more than willing to share what i've gone through, eventhough it's not that much of experiance. ^__^

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Answer 6

This depends on what you like doing. I am involved with both, and architecture is much more techincal--you can end up drawing bathroom details for years. If you are good with colors and textures and design, and like working on interiors as opposed to designing whole buildings, then interior design is for you. And perhaps there are more interiors jobs than architecture jobs, too.

Answer 7

you can do the first 2 years. but in order to be contracted/eligible for a commission you can ONLY get a degree in certain fields. the ROTC office will tell you what those fields are. I highly doubt the one you want is eligible. Navy wants High tech degrees like Engineering and computer science. at the very least you will require higher maths like calc and calc based physics.

Answer 8

IT MAY DEPEND ON YOUR MATH SKILL. IF YOURS ARE GOOD AND YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ARCHITECTURE GO FOR IT. IT IS A PROFESSION AND YOU COULD EASILY MINOR IN I.D.