Pop Quiz! Five Things You Didn't Know About Interior Design School

As you decide which interior design school to attend, you should prepare yourself for what you might face in your program. A lot of students sign up for interior design schools because of their love for decorating. This is good: interior design programs include plenty of training in decorating and design. But this is not all you'll learn. Here are five subjects interior design schools often include that might surprise you.

1. History

While you'll not be expected to memorize the amendments to the U.S. Constitution or the names of all U.S. vice-presidents, history should be part of your interior design school program. Your history lessons should all be related to interior design, and therefore, you won't need to be a history buff to enjoy it. Classes might include the histories of:

• architecture and interior motifs
• influential designers
• sustainable design
• furniture
• art history

2. Math

Math is a key part of interior designers' day-to-day jobs. Interior designers must measure spaces, calculate budgets, read building plans, and possibly balance business books,. But as with history, since your math instruction will be directly related to your passion, it should be enjoyable to learn. Interior design schools' math instruction might include:

• theories of proportion
• symmetry
• informal geometry
• 3-dimensional geometry
• projective geometry

In addition, if you hope to run your own interior design business, courses in budgeting and bookkeeping could be helpful.

3. Global Studies

Successful interior designers are aware of global cultures' designs. For instance, American Country interior design has borrowed elements from French Country and English Country styles. The Art Nouveau movement borrowed ideas from Japanese design. Luckily, you don't have to travel to France, Japan, or elsewhere to study global design: you can study it all through your interior design program.

4. Environmental Studies

Sustainable living is becoming a positive and necessary addition to all aspects of our society, including interior design. Interior decorating schools include courses in green design, otherwise known as sustainable design. Green designers improve air quality in homes and businesses, and make them more aesthetically appealing in a way that does not overuse resources. Some interior design schools include courses that could help you become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.

5. Computer Design Programs

As an interior designer, you will work with construction documents, which are drawings, models, and specifications of building projects. Especially for new constructions, your interior designs will be dependent on how the building is constructed. Therefore, your interior design program might include courses on computer design programs, such as CADD (Computer Aided Drafting Design).

Interior Design is about Aesthetics and More

Of course a primary role as an interior designer is to improve the look of a space, and your great sense of color and taste will help you be successful. But it is not enough in itself. Whether you attend campus or choose an online interior design school, learning these possibly unexpected subjects can transform you from someone with creative talent to someone with designing skills.