Have you always been drawn to aesthetically pleasing places? Are you curious about the concepts behind those layouts? If you have so much passion for mindfully decorating spaces, you’ll certainly thrive in the field of interior design.
As you move along your career after graduation, you may realize that you want to formally learn more about interior design and advance into roles with bigger responsibilities and higher pay. In this case, pursuing a master’s degree in interior design is a good route to take.
What Will You Gain from Pursuing Further Studies?
Master’s studies in interior design will prepare you for various career paths—whether you want to be an industry leader, a researcher, or a professor. It will also prepare you to work with other related fields, like architecture, facilities planning, urban design, and project management.
Aside from increasing your earning power, you’ll get to study interior design techniques that can further hone your craft. If you’re thinking about taking up a master’s degree, here are 6 reasons why many interior designers choose to do so:
1. Learn About Design Needs of Various Populations
Interior design needs will differ depending on who’ll use the space, and what it will be used for. For instance, a millennial’s home office will require different design elements from that of a senior citizen’s living spaces. You’ll learn how to pay more attention to people’s preferences and needs and apply them to your projects.
2. Discover How Human Behaviors and Environment Relates to Design
Interior design is no longer limited to the proper mixing and matching of design elements. It now also covers how designs and layouts affect the environment.
In your master’s classes, you’ll learn how your design choices affect human behaviors and mood. Design is more than just aesthetics; the layouts also have a psychological effect on users.
3. Be More Adept at Modern Design Tools
Because technology is constantly evolving, it means that the tools for various fields are also following suit. The software you’re using may have an updated version in a few years’ time, or it may become completely obsolete as a better tool comes along.
Pursuing further studies ensures that you’re updated with the latest in design software and technology. These tools will help you better communicate your designs to both colleagues and clients.
4. Learn About Innovative Technology
Aside from getting design tools to evolve, technology has also gotten design elements to evolve. Smart homes are a good example of design integrated with technology. Advancements in engineering now also allow manufacturers to create cheaper yet stylish materials.
Of course, many people are also starting to go green to minimize their carbon footprint. In this case, sustainable design is required. A master’s degree expands how you approach design and allows you to tackle more challenging projects with the help of innovative technology.
5. Stay Updated with the Latest Interior Design Trends
Pursuing a master’s degree will also teach interior designers advanced research techniques to predict what the latest design trends will be, and what will go away. To continue getting projects and referrals, it’s important that you know what works for people and what doesn’t.
Although some design elements are timeless, they’re not applicable in every scenario. That’s why it matters that you know where trends are leaning. This will make it easier for you to come up with design propositions that your clients will like.
6. Finish a Master’s Design Project
Before you officially get your degree, you’ll have to finish a master’s design project as a final requirement. You can either use a live project or come up with a completely new one. This is your chance to showcase all the new skills that you’ve learned in your previous courses.
Be Equipped to Step into a Managerial Role
On top of all the new design concepts that you’ll learn, a master’s degree will also make you more qualified to handle senior or managerial roles in many professional environments. That’s because management is also integrated into the master’s curriculum.
Hence, if your interior design passion leans towards working with people, a master’s degree is a great opportunity for you to learn how to deal with various types of personalities.
Expand Your Design Knowledge with a Master’s Degree
Passion alone can help you get far in your chosen field, but acquiring a master’s degree can help you get much further, especially in interior design. With new knowledge in your design arsenal, not only will you be able to perform your job in a more holistic way, but you’ll also be able to step up to bigger roles and projects because of it.