3 Steps on How to be an Interior Designer in the Philippines

With creativity and clever hand-work, one can create a concrete masterpiece. From paintings to sculptures, humble houses to towering skyscrapers, everything is a product of an ingenious idea turned into tangible things.

Interior design is a fascinating field. It allows professionals to exercise their artistry in designing commercial property and house spaces that are fantastic and functional. Yes, interior designers need to be imaginative and inventive; however, it does not just end in having a mind that overflows with creative juices. If you desire to be one, you also need to be a skilled business person to complement your creativity. A combination of innate aesthetic skills, logic, and management skills is essential to be a successful interior designer.

The Philippines has a lot of open doors where interior designers can use and further develop their natural and acquired designing skills. So, how do you become an interior designer in the country?

Here are steps on how to be an interior designer in the Philippines:

1. Get a Degree in Interior Design

Many major colleges and universities in the Philippines offer a degree in Interior Design. There are even schools devoted solely to the program. They teach aspiring interior designers the concept of arts, technical methods in building interiors, knowledge in furniture and home accessories, architecture, and even engineering.

The degree usually takes 4 years to complete. However, if a school follows the trimestral curriculum, it may be completed in less than 4 years.

2. Gain Experience Through Internship

To experience firsthand how the industry runs, a practicum is required to finish the degree. It serves as an introduction to the actual interior design work. The on-the-job training, which requires 150 hours, provides an opportunity to students to have a glimpse of the actual design procedures and processes.

They can apply internship in local design firms, companies, and organizations that are involved in interior design practice. It also provides a chance for students to develop their portfolio; in the world of interior design, a picture truly speaks a thousand words.

3. Pass the Interior Design Licensure Examination

The journey does not end after Interior Design students get their diploma. To become a Licensed Interior Designer in the Philippines, they need to pass the Interior Design Licensure Exam conducted by the Board of Interior Design under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission.

A weighted general average of seventy percent (70%) must be achieved to pass the exam that covers topics in Interior Design, Furniture Design and Construction, Material Design and Decoration, History of Arts and Interior Design, Interior Construction and Utilities, Color Theory, and Professional Practice and Ethics.

After completing the 3 steps, licensed interior designers can now apply for a job where they can obtain more knowledge, learn new skills and habits, develop ethics, and exercise what they have learned. They can opt to design residential properties, offices, and hangout spots, depending on their preference and specialization.

What do you love most about interior design? Share it with us in the comments section below.

Cover photo source: http://www.pexels.com/photo/working-in-a-group-6224/