Architecture vs Interior Designing: What’s the difference?

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Architecture vs Interior Design



Every building, whether residential or commercial, has a story to tell. And these stories are a culmination of small stories weaved by different stakeholders involved, be it the owner, architect, interior designer or the tenant.

In this article, we are going to talk about the two most critical stakeholders involved here – the architects and interior designers.

Who is an Architect?

An Architect is someone who designs, reviews and leads the construction of buildings. They typically work for an architectural or engineering firm but a lot of them also work on independent projects. Architects plan the basic structure of the building that includes the placement of different rooms, kitchen, dining room, garden, balcony, etc. and ensure that appropriate space is rewarded to them in accordance with the client’s requirements. In terms of work specifics, they are involved in:

Client Meetings

Soliciting project requirements

Preparing design proposals and budget plans

Inspecting construction progress

Reviewing building codes and regulations

Finalizing contracts with contractors and crews

Who is an Interior Designer?

Interior Designers design the interiors of a building, office or house and focus on internal beautification of living and workspaces, in accordance with the purpose of usage. In terms of work specifics, they are involved in

Design Layout

Lighting

Furniture selection and curation

Wallcoverings

Drapery

Furnishings

What are the Major Differences between Architecture and Interior Design?

The key differences between architecture and interior designing lie in three main points highlighted below

Requirements: Architects are focused on the technical aspects of the building requirements like strength, form, lighting, ventilation, flooring, material, climate, etc. while interior designers focus on human emotions and psychology during the design of different aspects of the building spaces.

Design: Architects design buildings and their exteriors, while interior designers design the interiors of the building, which includes lighting, furniture, furnishings, hosiery, fixtures, etc to create the desired look for spaces inside the building.

Training: Architects are trained in designing models or structural buildings and exteriors that meets the regulatory building codes while interior designers are trained in creating a functional and quality interior space.

Now let us look into the processes and requirements to become an architect or an interior designer.

The Requirements & Processes to become an Architect:

High School pass percentage of minimum 50% is required, with science and maths as compulsory subjects

Appear for the qualification test called National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA). Qualifying for this exam makes you eligible to enroll in B.Arch courses. The test revolves around the following skill sets: Drawing, Observation, Critical Thinking Ability, Aesthetic Sensitivity and Sense of Proportion.

Enroll in B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) which is a five-year course

Pursue M.Arch on the postgraduate level if you wish to specialize further.

Specialisation courses include Landscape Architecture, Environmental Architecture, etc.

You can even explore a PhD program, where you can undertake research work in a specialized field, such as Urban Planning and Design, Transport Planning, Environmental Planning, Housing, Industrial Design, etc.

Some top institutes recognized by AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education) and Council of Architecture of India, offering architectural courses are School of Planning & Architecture (New Delhi) Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) Birla Institute Of Technology (Jharkhand) Sir J.J College of Architecture (Mumbai) Indian Institute of Technology (Roorkee) Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Ahmedabad)



The Requirements & Processes to become an Interior Designer:

55% marks in High School with Science and Maths subject is mandatory to get into a top institute

There are various entrance exams conducted by different colleges like the National Institute of Design (NID), School of Interior Design (SID), etc which offers full-time 4 or 5-year Professional Education Programs in Interior Design with a degree in Bachelor of Interior Design.

After getting a BID degree, you can work at an interior designing firm or opt for a Masters’s course in higher-level Designing courses like MSc. (Interior Design) offered by different design institutes in India.

Some top institutes offering interior design courses are National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad) National Institute of Fashion Design Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Ahmedabad) Sir JJ School of Art (Mumbai) Sai School of Interior Design (New Delhi)



Salary Expectations and Career Growth

The average salary of architects and interior designers ranges between 3 Lakhs to 5 lakhs per annum and hover around 8-12 Lakhs in a 4-year career. Both the fields of Architecture and Interior Design are fast-growing career profiles in India, with good pay packages and opportunities for fast growth. The demand will continue to increase with the India growth story.

Wish to pursue a career in this field and think you need an expert’s guidance? Feel free to reach out to us at support@navigus.in or fill this contact form