Interior Designing Syllabus & Subjects 2024

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Apr 01, 2024 19:59PM IST

Interior Designing Course Syllabus and Subjects Overview

The interior designing course syllabus teaches students about in-depth design aspects and principles. It aids the students in comprehending the psychology of colour. The interior design course is taught through a combination of classroom lectures, studio work, design contests, exhibitions, creative workshops, project reports, market surveys, and internships that provide hands-on experience in the field of design. The most important skill for succeeding in the design industry is the ability to think creatively and innovatively, which is something that an interior designing course helps students develop. 

Students studying interior design learn about the technical aspects of creating livable, comfortable places that are accessible to everybody. Interior services, the foundations of interior graphics, visual merchandising, display design, furniture design, product design, and more are some of the major interior design course subjects. Skilled interior designers can improve the mood in a location. Two further facets of interior design science are understanding behaviour and designing a functional space. There are various paths one might take to become a professional interior designer. On this page, students will find everything about the interior designing course syllabus and subjects.

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Year-Wise Interior Designing Course Syllabus

While a bachelor's degree in interior design may have a different curriculum at each university, the contents are generally the same. The following table is an extensive overview of the core and elective courses offered in the first to sixth semesters of the bachelor's programme in interior design which students can use as a reference.

Semester No.Core/Optional Interior Designing SubjectsTopic TitleDescription
1
  • Language lab
  • History of interior furniture -I
  • Furniture and fittings
  • Fundamentals of Interior Graphics
  • Basic design source
  • Applied Mathematics for Interior Design
  • Types of windows and treatment
  • Trigonometry
  • Principles of composition
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Measured lettering
  • Indus valley civilization
  • Indian Handicraft
  • Group discussion
  • Freehand drawing
  • Floor covering
  • Coordinate geometry
  • Colours
Teaching all candidates the basic computation skills required for design and construction is the main objective of applied mathematics. They will get experience sketching and drawing for basic design as well as familiarity with historical interiors, furnishings, and graphics.
2
  • Interior graphics-I
  • Interior construction and structure -I
  • History of Interior Furniture -II
  • Environmental science lab
  • Communication skills
  • Applied physics for interiors
  • Stone and brick masonry
  • Sciography
  • Oriental
  • Occidental interiors
  • Measurement
  • Measured drawings
  • Listening skills
  • Introduction to structures
  • Group communication
  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Determination of pH
  • Acetylation of primary amines
The goal of including applied physics in the curriculum is to improve students' understanding of physics-related interior design. Furthermore, the study of building methods, materials, and interior graphics will familiarise them with these fields and enhance their interpersonal communication skills.
3
  • Interior services -I
  • Interior Design and Landscape -II
  • Interior construction and structure -II
  • Business Management
  • Auto cad
  • Windows
  • Water supply
  • Roofs
  • Management Theories
  • Lightning
  • Introduction to Management
  • Introduction to AutoCAD
  • Floors
  • Doors
  • Design small apartment
  • Design commercial space
  • A prototype CAD drawing
The third semester serves to reinforce your grasp of fundamental concepts, behavioural dynamics, and interior services such as water supply and lightning. This class also helps with interior design and remodelling mastery. The many varieties of plants, including both indoor and outdoor plants, are taught to candidates. Expand the students' knowledge of the various aspects of furniture and furniture design this semester.
4
  • Interior services -II
  • Interior Design and Landscape -II
  • Interior construction -I
  • Furniture design
  • Display design -I
  • Auto cad -II
  • Ventilation
  • Space saving Furniture
  • Sound and Thermal Insulation
  • Public Park
  • Partitions
  • Knock Down Furniture
  • Insert to AutoCAD
  • Importance of devices
  • Fast Food Restaurant
  • False Ceiling
  • Display props and Display Media
The fourth semester of interior design courses covers commercial interior display. The main objective of this course is to help students become more efficient and creative. They get knowledge about interior series and apply it. Students will gain knowledge on how to refinish ceilings and space separators among other interior features.
5
  • Visual merchandising -I
  • Product design -I
  • Legal ethics and professional practice
  • Interior Design -I
  • Interior construction -II
  • Interior budgeting and estimation
  • Technical terms
  • Taking out quantities
  • Specification
  • Products
  • Material
  • Management
  • Fire safety
  • Disaster
  • Contract Document
  • Code of Practice
  • Classification of staircase
  • Automobile
  • Atrium
In the fifth semester, students will study legal ethics from the viewpoint of an interior designer. They get a basic understanding of quantities and the prices connected with them, as well as product design skills. Students need to be taught how to repair flight, riser, tread, and nosing.
6
  • Visual merchandising -II
  • Product design -II
  • Interior project
  • Interior Design -II
  • Entrepreneurship and project management
  • Unisex beauty parlour
  • Tiles
  • Terracotta
  • Medical interior
  • Exhibition
  • Ex-carnival
  • Entrepreneurial support system
  • Elements of Management
  • Coffee bar
  • Clay
  • AutoCAD and3Ds max
By the end of the sixth semester, students will possess the abilities required to start a small-scale manufacturing facility. They will learn how to construct a variety of products as well as Gantt charts, time progress charts, bar charts, etc.
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Interior Designing Subjects

The following table details some interior designing subjects along with their description:

Subject NameDescription
ArchitectureIt is known as interior design's spatial art. The interior design of structures that consider how people use spaces is known as interior architecture.
Communication skillsInteracting with suppliers and clients is a major responsibility of an interior designer. You must talk about and listen to your clients' ideas when you engage with them.
DrawingInterior design requires drawing on a large scale. Being a skilled artist is a prerequisite for becoming an interior designer.
IllustrationFor brainstorming, trying out different approaches, and producing illustrations for interior design, the illustrator is the most suitable person.
PhotographyThe skill of photographing interiors, including rooms and furniture, is known as interior photography. For many industries, including real estate and architectural photography, interior photography is crucial.
PresentationInterior designers need to know how to express their design process and ideology, which means they need to have strong presentation skills.
RenderingAn interior design depiction displays where appliances and structured elements are placed concerning one another. It will give the customers a preview of the finalised product.
Research StrategiesThroughout the past fifty years, interior design has moved away from family home decor. The scope of quality and quantity offered by Research Methods for Interior Design is remarkable.
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Interior Designing Common Subjects for All Semesters

Some of the maximum covered Interior Design Subjects include Interior design, Fundamentals of Structure, History of Art, History of Interior design/ architecture, Interior Construction, etc. The subjects included at different universities may vary, but the core subjects remain the same. Typical Core Subjects for Interior Design are given below in the table:

History of InteriorsInterior DesigningAnalytical Drawing
Material ExposureCost EstimationFundamentals of Structure
Art and CraftInterior MaterialsHistory of Art
Basic PhotographyTheory of DesignInterior Construction
Fundamentals of designResearch StrategiesErgonomics
Geometrical ConstructionArt appreciation and appraisalFreehand Drawing
Design ProcessEnvironmental StudiesAnthropometry
Introduction to ComputersHumanities-
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Interior Designing Optional Subjects

Elective courses from within the discipline, give more depth or breadth to a student's core competencies. Given below are some interior design subjects that students can choose as options/electives during their course. 

  • Crafts In Interior Design: Focus is on learning various craft techniques and their uses in interior design
  • Visual Narrative: The focus is on visual narration of the expressive interiors and products
  • Workshop On Exhibition Design: The focus is on principles, tools and techniques of temporary structures.
  • Workshop On Set Design: Focus is on principles, tools and techniques of media-based structures.
  • Journalism: This is mainly aimed at providing students with a holistic and diverse approach to studying.
  • Theatre and Film Making: It is aimed at diversifying the students' knowledge and learning.
  • Marketing: This subject helps students learn how to market themselves and get noticed.
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Interior Designing Lab Subjects

The interior design course curriculum includes both theory and practical subjects. There are lab sessions for the practical subjects taught to the students. Given below are some of the Interior Design Lab subjects. 

  • Interior Design Studio - 1
  • Basic Design Studio -1
  • Interior Design Studio -2 
  • Communication Design
  • AutoCAD for Decorators 
  • 3Dimensional Studio Max-I
  • Adobe Photoshop and 3Dimensional Studio Max-II
  • Building Material and Construction
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Specialisations offered in Interior Designing

The Interior Design industry is a broad field which not only involves decoration skills, but it is much beyond that. There are many areas in which an interior design student can specialize. These specialized fields and niches expand the role of an interior designer well beyond the scope of what one might expect. Students can pursue such specialized courses according to their interests. 

The following are some common specializations within the interior design industry that one might consider pursuing.

  • Commercial Interior Design
  • Residential Interior Design
  • Hospitality Interior Design
  • Healthcare Interior Design
  • Higher Education / Institutional Interiors
  • Retail & Store Planning
  • Lighting Design
  • Exhibit Design
  • Sustainable Design
  • Living space Designing
  • Corporate Interior Designing
  • Restaurant Designing
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Syllabus for Interior Designing Distance Programs

Due to its affordability and ease, the majority of candidates are choosing to study interior design through distance learning or online programmes. The curricula of these online courses resemble those of traditional courses. After completing their distance learning coursework, aspirants can receive a diploma or certificate. As opposed to three years for standard courses, the course lasts one to one and a half years. Also, the fees — which range from INR 5,000 to 1,00,000 — are significantly lower.  The following prestigious universities allow students to engage in distance learning programmes:

  • Madras University
  • Madurai Kamaraj University
  • Maharshi Dayanand University
  • Mangalore University
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Interior Designing Entrance Exam Syllabus

Most of the popular Interior Design colleges shortlist aspirants for admission in programs offered by them based on an entrance exam. As part of the admission process, candidates need to first appear for a design aptitude test and thereafter submit their portfolios. 

The difficulty level of these entrance exams is average. You can secure your seats in a good college by scoring marks above the cut-off. The subjects to be studied are Basic Math, General Aptitude, General Mental Ability, Drawing Skills, Communication Skills, and Creativity. The Interior Designing syllabus for some popular entrance exams is mentioned below.

Application of basic knowledge of Science and MathematicsArt, craft, culture, design and environmentAwareness of Design
Basic MathematicsColour and compositionCommunication Skills
CompositionCreative and problem-solving abilitiesData Interpretation
English language (vocabulary, comprehension, and expression)General AwarenessImagination
Language AbilityLateral thinkingLogical Reasoning
Observational, perceptual and reasoning abilitiesQuantitative AbilityReasoning
Sensitivity to environmentSubjects of DesignVisualisation
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Interior Designing Important Books

The following table highlights some best books for the interior designing course as per specialisations and author names:

SubjectBook titleAuthor
Interior DesignIllustrated History of Interior DecorationMario Praz
Product DesignFurniture in colourLanto Synge
EntrepreneurshipStrategic EntrepreneurshipDr P K Gupta
Interior servicesBuilding ConstructionArun Kr Jain, Ashok Kumar Jain, and B C Punmia
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FAQs about Interior Designing Syllabus

Is Maths necessary to understand interior designing subjects?

Yes, Maths is necessary to understand interior designing subjects as it is an important part of the course curriculum. For an interior designer's day-to-day work and business operations, a fundamental grasp of mathematics is required. The dimensions of a room and the amount of fabric required for drapes and furniture must be determined by a designer.

What skills do students acquire from the Interior Designing course curriculum?

The list of skills that students acquire from the Interior Designing course curriculum includes creativity, attention to detail, computer skills, drawing and sketching, spatial awareness, knowledge of colour and texture, etc. Depending on their skill set and creativity, interior designers could accomplish multiple elite projects at hand.

What does the Diploma in Interior Designing course syllabus include?

The Diploma in Interior Designing course syllabus includes subjects such as Space Layout and Design, Presentation and Communication skills, Material Sourcing and Costing, Flat rendering and layouts, Design Elements and Process, Decor and Planning, Colour and Visualisation, Auto CAD, and more.

What does the Interior Architecture Design course syllabus include?

The Interior Architecture Design course syllabus includes subjects such as Residential Interior Design, Research Methodology, Principles of Interior Design, Interior Design Environments, History of Interior Design, Design Process, CAD, Arch Illustration, Drawing & Photography, and so on.

What does the BDes in Interior Designing course syllabus include?

The BDes in Interior Designing course syllabus includes subjects such as Theory of Design, Research Strategies & Design Process, Introduction to Computers, Fundamentals of Structure, Fundamentals of Design, Communication skills, and more.

What does the BSc in Interior Designing course syllabus include?

The BSc in Interior Designing course syllabus includes subjects such as Model Making Workshop, Materials and Construction Techniques, Introduction to Communication Skills, Interior Design Styling (Residential and Commercial Spaces), History of Interior Design, Fire Safety and Security Systems, Environmental Studies, English Language Usage Essentials, Drawing Techniques, Building Services, Basic Design Principles, Arts and Graphics, etc.

Are Interior Designing course subjects difficult to study for an average student?

No, interior designing course subjects are not difficult to study for an average student as the curriculum is meant to prepare applicants from all educational backgrounds. The extent to which applicants find the Interior Designing course syllabus easy or challenging primarily relies on their level of engagement. The curriculum is not hard in general; rather, candidates can easily pass with decent scores in the semester-wise exams.

Which colleges offer the best Interior Designing course syllabus for distance programmes?

The colleges that offer the best Interior Designing course syllabus for distance programmes are Maharshi Dayanand University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madras University, Mangalore University, etc. Also, the distance learning course subjects are nearly identical to that of an on-campus programme.

What are the Interior Designing course subjects for the specialisation offered?

The Interior Designing course subjects for the specialisation offered are Visual Merchandising, Product Design, Language lab, Interior Design, Interior Construction, Furniture and fittings, Display Design, AutoCAD, and more. Interior design offers a wide range of specialisations as referenced in the above page, and candidates can choose to study these programmes based on their areas of interest.

What is the Interior Designing course syllabus at top universities?

The Interior Designing course syllabus at top universities includes subjects such as Design execution drawing, Science Interior technology and materials, Furniture design, and Landscape and environment. A bachelor's degree in interior design requires six semesters and involves both theoretical and practical knowledge. The four-semester master's program in interior design is open to candidates having a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

What are the semester-wise BSc interior designing subjects for third-year students?

The semester-wise BSc interior designing subjects for third-year students are Interior Service Systems, Interior Construction, Lighting Technology & Applications for semester I. For semester II, the subjects covered are Estimating and Budgeting, Concept of Structures, Landscape Design, and more.

What are the semester-wise BSc interior designing subjects for second-year students?

The semester-wise BSc interior designing subjects for second-year students are Interior Design Studio, Design Sources and Materials, Fundamentals of Interior Graphics, etc. for semester I. For semester II, the subjects covered are Art and Architecture History, Furniture Design, Computer-Aided Design, and more.

What are the semester-wise BSc interior designing subjects for the first-year students?

The semester-wise BSc interior designing subjects for first-year students are Design Sources and Materials, Management Skills, Interior Architecture Foundation Studio, etc. for the semester I. For semester II, the subjects covered are Environmental Psychology and Human Factors, Fundamentals of Interior Graphics, computer basics, and more.

What are the top private colleges that provide the best interior designing course curriculum?

The top private colleges that provide the best interior designing course curriculum are Vogue Institute of Art and Design Bangalore, Symbiosis Institute of Design Pune, Silver Oak University, Pearl Academy Jaipur, Pearl Academy Delhi, Lovely Professional University Jalandhar, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, IIAD Delhi, Chandigarh University, Army Institute of Fashion and Design Bangalore, Amity University Noida, and more.

Are interior designing subjects easy to understand for an average student?

Yes, interior designing subjects are easy to understand for an average student provided they have a keen interest in this field as well as they are committed and determined to be a successful interior designer. To hone their skill sets and personality traits, prospective interior designers might enrol in reputable, elite interior design schools.

What is the purpose of the interior designing syllabus?

The purpose of the interior designing syllabus is to provide students with knowledge through CAD, 3-D modelling, and space management skills as well as training sessions for other computer-related courses. This course is highly relevant because it was created with the needs and necessities of the industry in mind.

Are projects a compulsory part of the interior designing syllabus?

Yes, projects are a compulsory part of the interior designing syllabus that must be submitted in the final semester, irrespective of the type of programme. Listed below are some popular project topics for the interior design course:

  • Euphoria: Experiential Festival Eatery

  • Free Spirit: Alcohol-Free Temperance Bar and Retail Space

  • Natural Connections: Tackling Nature-Deficit Order in the Workplace

  • Wabi-Sabi: Upcycle Store and Studio

What methodologies and techniques are used to teach interior designing syllabus?

The methodologies and techniques that are used to teach interior designing syllabus are in line with the market needs and requirements of prospective employers. The programme is delivered through a combination of classroom lectures, creative workshops, studio work, exhibitions, design competitions, project reports, market surveys, and internships that provide hands-on experience in the design industry. The following  enlists the same:

  • Conceptualised Learning

  • Practicals

  • Projects

  • Seminars

  • Traditional classroom-based teaching

  • Workshops

What is the BSc interior designing course structure?

The BSc interior designing course structure includes both core and elective subjects that consist of numerous presentations, assignments, projects, and more. It is of three years and incorporates two-semester exams in a year. The following enlists the same:

  • Core subjects

  • Elective subjects

  • Internships

  • Practical

  • Projects

  • VI Semesters

Is the distance learning interior designing syllabus similar to that of an on-campus course?

Yes, the distance learning interior designing syllabus is similar to that of an on-campus course; nevertheless, little variations are to be expected throughout colleges. Most candidates are opting to study interior designing courses through online or distance learning programs because of their convenience and affordability. Applicants will be awarded a diploma or certificate upon successful completion of their remote learning coursework. The duration of the online course is one to one and a half years, as compared with three years for standard programmes.

What are the best books to understand the interior designing syllabus?

The list of the best books to understand the interior designing syllabus includes Furniture in Colour by Lanto Synge; Building Construction by Ashok Kumar Jain, Arun Kr Jain, and B C Punmia; Illustrated History of Interior Decoration by Mario Praz, Strategic Entrepreneurship by Dr P K Gupta; and more.

What specialisations are offered in the interior designing course?

The specialisations offered in the interior designing course are Living space Design, Restaurant Design, Residential design, and Corporate Interior design. It includes subjects such as AutoCAD, Display Design, Furniture and fittings, Interior Construction, Interior Design, Language lab, Product Design, Visual Merchandising, etc.

What are the typical elective interior designing subjects?

The list of typical elective interior designing subjects includes Anthropology, Visual and Performing Arts, Product photography, Interior photography culture, Vernacular Architecture in Interior Design, and more. These are termed optional subjects that may change from one university to another based on the course curriculum.

What are the typical core interior designing subjects?

The list of typical core interior designing subjects includes Architecture, Communication skills, Drawing, Illustration, Photography, Presentation, Rendering, Research Strategies, and more. Core subjects remain the same in all universities providing this course and do not usually change irrespective of the course curriculum.

What are the top government colleges that provide the best interior designing course curriculum?

The top government colleges that provide the best interior designing course curriculum are Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (Nashik), SNDT College (Mumbai), NIFT (Delhi), NID Ahmedabad, JNAFAU Hyderabad, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (Delhi), Gujarat University (Ahmedabad), DAVV (Indore), CSJM (Kanpur), Annamalai University, and more.

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