Interior design degrees are often offered by art schools, but many regular colleges and universities offer these degrees as well. While working towards an interior design degree, students are typically required to study textiles, design history and various styles of interior design specific to certain eras. Once the degree is completed, graduates often work for interior desgn firms or establish firms of their own.
While working on a B.F.A. in interior design, students usually study commercial design, residential design and interior lighting, among other things. Typically, students seeking this degree are also required to take courses in the history of architecture, architectural interiors and the history of furniture design. Although students are often required to take coursework in computer aided drafting (CAD) and architectural drafting, drafting classes are usually not as advanced as that required for a B.S. in interior design.
A B.S. in interior design often involves more architectural drafting, which involves a mathematical element. This is because architects must have a solid grasp of structural engineering in order to understand concepts such as weight/load bearing walls. Structural engineering requires coursework in algebra, geometry, and even physics. A B.S. in interior design is referred to as such because of the mathematical element.
The advantage that students with a B.S. in interior design have over those with a B.F.A. is due to the fact that graduates who hold a B.S. are more attractive to some firms. In a sense, these students can serve as both an interior designer and a structural engineer. Graduates with a B.F.A., often lack understanding of structural engineering, meaning prospective firms must hire structural engineers to oversee projects involving the removal of walls and anything else that might threaten the structural integrity of a residence or commercial space.