Unlike the popular opinion, spatial designers are not mere interior-decoration professionals. In fact, they are niche professionals who aesthetically improve the effective use of building or industrial spaces and cost-effectively enhance the productivity. Spatial designing is a relatively new branch that has some aspects of architecture, interior design and landscape design. Due to the rapid growth in urban population and shrinking spaces, spatial designing is now in great demand. In fact, there is an urgent need for functionally-designed spaces that are aesthetically attractive too.
A career in spatial designing can be gained by studying specialisation courses, or secured through exposure to high-end interior decoration profession (like carpentry, textile connoisseurs). The career options widen with providing one-stop niche market services like design of interior spaces of hotel or residential, renovation of internal spaces of old building, including structural alterations, furnishings, fixtures and fittings, lighting and colour schemes.
Even homemakers, who are interested in decoration, can take up this profession to earn some extra money. It has been found that working men are taking up consultancy services in this field as a means of earning extra money. Some of the career options that one could take up here include interior architecture design, museum or exhibition design, retailing or showroom design, naval interiors design, automobile interiors design, theatre or movie sets design and many others.
To gain an education qualification in spatial designing, there are various options that range from certificate courses to university degrees. For instance, you could take up a three-month course or a one year diploma course throughout the year to gain an entry into this profession. Many private and government-aided technical training institutes (including ITI) also provide such courses for youngsters who have not completed secondary school. Such courses provide opportunity to work in architect’s office or interior decor material showrooms, with salaries ranging between Rs 10,000 to 30,000 per month.
The qualifications
One of the best choices is to study Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree, which would give you a strong base for your career growth. Spread over five years, this course has detailed modules on electrical, lighting, plumbing and other such fields. This course would give choices to pursue master’s degree with specialisation also. An architect with Council of Architecture (COA) registration could gain a salary of Rs 20,000-50,000 per month in any interior design consultancy firm of any metro city in the country. Apart from this, there are some architecture schools that provide a four-year Bachelors in Interior Design (BiD) degree, which is also a credible choice.
Faculty of Design in Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT) in Ahmedabad provides a wider variety of career options for gaining four-year bachelor or two-year master degree exclusively on interior design or furniture design. National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad gives a choice to specialise in furniture, textile and ceramic designs.
Apart from this, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) in Hyderabad provides a two years master degree in interior design. It’s good to take up some specialisation in this field as it will give you an edge over others. Sometimes, a specialisation will also help you cater to niche consumers. Such niche market careers would have less competition, but it takes time to establish oneself.
Spatial designers need to update themselves with new interior furnishing materials or construction details regularly. The constant evolution of electronics and electrical industry has brought new technology and technique in the interiors of homes and office spaces. The new development needs thorough understanding of material usage, application and functions. An aspiring interior designer should regularly attend exhibitions and interior decor places to gather updated information and trends of the field. So, go on, give it a try and be an integral part of the evolving world.
(The author is professor, MARG Institute of Design & Architecture)
Published 30 March 2016, 17:46 IST