How to Become an Interior Designer after 12th: Step-by-Step Career Guide

Interior designing is not merely about arranging furniture or picking curtains. It is one of the most trending professions in today’s world. Interior designing is about transforming spaces into experiences and full-fledged functionality. 

If you are intrigued by this field or have you ever asked this question; How to become an interior designer after 12th? – you have come to the right blog.

Whether you are planning a career switch or discovering your love for interior design, this blog post is just the perfect roadmap for you. 

Let’s get started! 

Must Read – Scope of Interior Design in India 2026: Career Paths After Graduation

Why Choose Interior Designing in India?

The interior designing field is taking the center stage, thanks to the opportunities this field has to offer. Top-notch interior design courses offer in-depth interior design knowledge to aspiring interior designers. With the interior design market in India surging at an unexpected rate, the demand for interior designers has skyrocketed. Though, entering this field is no less than cracking a hard nut.

As a budding interior designer, the first question that often comes to your mind; how to become an interior designer. Well, the answer is quite simple. Formal education in interior designing and upscale in-demand interior design skills are your key to enter this lucrative field. 

How to Become an Interior Designer in India – Quick Facts 

To become an interior designer in India, candidates are required to have formal education. Though, you can start a career immediately with your already possessed skillset, formal education gives you an edge over other candidates. 

There are a number of interior design courses after 12th that are available for students. These courses are in the form of undergraduate courses, post graduate courses, and diploma courses in interior design. However, the kind of course you choose depends majorly on your skillset and career goals. You should first check the eligibility criteria of these courses before you decide to enrol in a course.

An undergraduate or postgraduate course is a full-fledged course that offers in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical concepts of interior design. On the other hand, a short-term diploma course gives you an opportunity to accentuate your skillset with the required interior design knowledge. 

Eligibility	Candidates need to enrol in B.Des in Interior Design or B.Sc in Interior Design Course
Job Profiles	Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, Healthcare Designer, Lighting Designer, Visual Designer
Skills Required to Become An Interior Designer	3D rendering, adobe photoshop, AutoCAD, Project Management
Average salary of an interior designer in India	7.8LPA

Must Read – Interior Design Course Syllabus: Degree vs Diploma Subjects, Software & Skills

Eligibility to Become An Interior Designer in India 

To get admission in the top-notch interior design colleges, you are required to fulfill basic eligibility criteria. These eligibility criteria help you know about interior design qualification in detail. Though the criteria to enrol in an interior design may vary from college to college. 

• Candidates are required to complete 10+2 from a recognized board.
• Candidates from any stream can enrol in an interior design course
• Certain colleges may ask you to appear for an entrance test. You should check the eligibility criteria for these exams.
• Choose an ideal interior design course based on your preference and goals. You can enrol in a B.Des in Interior Design course or M.Des in Interior Design Course or Diploma in Interior Design Course
• Build a portfolio that showcases your skillset.

Steps to Become An Interior Designer in India

To know about how to become an interior designer, the first step is to bookmark prerequisites needed to enter this field. These steps are compiled below. You can check these steps and start a journey towards a rewarding career. 

Earn A Degree 

The first and most important step to become an interior designer is to get a formal education. The formal education can be in the form of earning a graduate course or getting enrolled in a diploma program. This is the most crucial step as recruiters always prefer candidates with advanced-level education. 

What to study to Become an Interior Design 

To become an interior designer, you need to study basics to advanced level concepts in interior designing. In undergraduate or postgraduate degrees like B.Des in Interior Design or B.Sc in Interior Design, you learn crucial concepts related to interior design. These concepts include; basic principles of interior design, drawing and sketching, color theory, basics of furniture design, information on vastu shastra and much more!

Key Skills Required to Become an Interior Designer in India

To become a successful interior designer in India, you are required to earn in-demand skills in the field. These skills typically include creative and technical skills. 

Creativity Skills

Creativity lies at the core of every interior designer. Coming up with instant creative solutions help you excel as an interior designer. This can help you transform living spaces into lively ones

Technical Skills

To create 3D designs, interior designers must know how to use computer software to present simulated models. You also need technical skills to design floor plans and realistic visuals.

Product Knowledge

A wise interior designer is one who have adequate knowledge of materials and supplies. This knowledge can help you choose right material for your work.

Up to date Knowledge

To build standards, an interior designer must keep his knowledge up to date to remove the fear of being obsolete. 

Client Communication

From managing client expectations to managing day to day tasks to balancing project timelines, an interior designer is in charge of playing multiple roles in his job profile.

Certifications to Enhance your Skillset 

As an interior designer, certification plays a key role in enhancing your skillset. In many cases, you may also need certifications to start practice as a professional interior designer. Some popular certifications that can enhance your credentials include:

• NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification): This is a popular certification for those looking forward to making a mark in the field of interior designing. 
• Certified Interior Decorator [ CID ]: The certification focuses more on interior decoration but is also helpful for working as an interior designer. 

Get an Internship

Outside a classroom, you will gain practical experience with the help of internships. These internships make you industry ready with the right kind of skills. Gaining internship and training experience from a reputable interior design firm is helpful for candidates to understand how Interior Designers work.

Build your Portfolio

Portfolio reflects your strengths and skillsets in the best possible way. Besides getting the best interior design qualification, building a portfolio is crucial. The portfolio will show your work style, college assignments, skillsets and experiences.

Must Read: Interior Designer Salary in India 2026 after Interior Designer Course – A Complete Guide

Study from the Best Interior Design College in India

A top interior design college is your gateway to enter the flourishing field of interior design. When it comes to giving one of a kind exposure to young minds, AAFT School of Interior Design comes to your mind. This school is known to produce top interior designers who are now ruling the interior design world across the globe. AAFT Noida and AAFT Raipur are among the premier colleges providing top-notch interior design education to students from various walks of life.

AAFT School of Interior Design is known for its:

• Top-notch interior design course education 
• Industry-relevant curriculum taught by expert industry mentors
• Access to state-of-art equipment 
• Top-notch training sessions and guaranteed placement opportunities.

If you are looking for the answer of how to become an interior designer in India, AAFT School of Interior Design is your ideal answer. 

Must Read: Interior Design Courses in India: Fees, Eligibility, Admission, Career Opportunities

How to become an Interior Designer FAQ