Designer's Career Path

Focus on Your Career, Not Just Your Degree

• Participate in interior design, art, architecture, business, language arts, marketing and other classes important to the practice of interior design.
• Save examples of your work from the very beginning. Take quality photos of finished products. Start your portfolio immediately.

Get Involved and Network

• Become an ASID student member. Participate in your ASID student chapter or organize an ASID student chapter if your school does not currently house one.
• Get involved in student leadership. It's great for your resume!
• Participate in ASID professional chapter events: Network with future colleagues and employers; receive professional educational training that you might not receive in school; make yourself known.

Establish Your Practice

• Upon graduation, advance to ASID allied practitioner membership.
• Acquire work experience, preferably under the supervision of an NCIDQ-certified designer or architect. Or, if you choose self-employment, garner references from your business' legal counsel, accountant, bank, etc. to document your years of practice.

Certify Your Professional Status

• Upon completion of the requisite years of education and work experience, apply to sit for the NCIDQ exam. The requirements are as follows:
  • With four to five years of interior design education, 2 years of full time work experience in interior design, or
  • With three years of interior design education, three years of full time work experience in interior design, or
  • With two years of interior design education, four years of full time work experience in interior design.
• After you've passed the NCIDQ exam, advance to ASID professional membership.