The Pros and Cons about Interior Architecture and Design
Now I’m talking about everything… from preparing to study to being out in the industry on a day to day basis.
Guys please take this list with a pinch of salt because literally this is me being very honest straight from my mind to you. There are and will be many things in the future that can change this list and maybe i’ll edit it in the future but if you’re thinking about having a career in Interior Architecture (or any design related subject to be honest) these might apply and help you when deciding on a commitment to study for 3+years…
See my list of Pros & Cons (Best & Worst things) about Interior Architecture below!
Cons…
You are also restricted by regulations.
But they’re only there to keep us safe in spaces and allow the amazing spaces you design to be accessible for everyone at the end of the day. Once the basic regulations are engraved into your mind you’ll automatically consider them from the beginning of the design process.
Uni is hard.
Like seriously - you need to know that studying Interior Design and Architecture is not a flowery subject. There is no way of getting out of an assignment and you need to justify everything you design. This is one of the few courses that I would say does actually set you up for the intensity of the real world.. However annoying you might find your tutor at the time haha.
There is a lot to keep up with…
So to give you a head start here is some great websites I use for latest news on projects, products and jobs!
Flexibility.
To have flexibility and the drive to keep learning new things! Being open to working with other teams and trying out new software is key. It will make you more approachable when new projects arise and hopefully you will then have a more substantial role to play in the overall design! Here are my top software platforms to give a try right now!
You need to be organised!
The ability to jump around from project to project will only be a help in your career in design. I’ve found the more I can switch between projects (obviously with ease and sufficiently otherwise what’s the point!) the better opportunities I’ve had across different design sectors.
Pros…
You can be seriously creative.
Concept stage is amazing. Something I love is taking a basic brief and seeing what your instincts are.. Seeing the first sketches that you produce and then how they develop into reality.
You have the chance for 3+ years at uni to experiment.
Now I’ll be honest I originally just thought ‘Architecture’ LETS GO! IAD was relatively new course and I didn’t know much about it.. However for me it was the perfect decision.
Breakdown:
- Best of both worlds.. Architecture & Interior Design (not just technical and not just.. cushions)
- 3years study + 1 year industry placement. This placement can SET YOU UP! Seriously a great introduction to day to day industry life and people. Go to Finding the right Industry Placement for you! if you want to know a little more..
- Coursework based
I HATE exams. There is more info on my specific course here.
You become part of a bigger community than yourself.
This means becoming part of a generation that can leave a mark on the world just as many great architects have done before you. This could be helping to solve the housing crisis or simply giving some customers a great experience of a brand.
Multi-disciplinary.
Talking of brands - this position often means you work with companies or on projects that require more than just space designing. This means you are part of the bigger picture and can work alongside graphic designers, content creators, advertisers and the list goes on..
No two days are the same
You need to realise if right now you’re at school or at uni or thinking of changing your career path completely this is a subject you really need to be committed to. You need to have some sort of passion for the spaces you experience daily and know that when you are in the industry your clients trust that you can deliver on a vision.
Even though I’ve given you pretty even pros and cons here about IAD its safe to say I personally cope/coped fine with all cons..
Literally the most daunting one of the lot is the sheer amount of work you have at uni..
But remember this is likely the first real exposure you’ll have to Interior Architecture - unlike English or Maths that has been drilled into you since the age of 4, THIS is a completely new subject, new way of thinking, lots to learn and build upon.
As long as you’ve got the interest there to begin with and some art/design tech/sketching know-how I say go for it!
If you are interested in knowing more about Interior Architecture and Design got to All About IAD to see more posts like this or just pop me an email - ask away!