Architect vs Interior Designer: What is Difference and Which is the Best Option?

Architecture and Interior Design Difference

The professions of architect and interior designer are very different. The major difference between architect and interior designer is in terms of education, eligibility, and job profiles. The students who understand the interior architecture and interior design differences can easily make a choice in their career. The students will find the table given below beneficial to understand the difference between interior architect and interior designer.

Difference Between Architect and Interior Designer

Architecture and Interior Design Difference: Eligibility Criteria

Both architecture and interior design requires formal education for the students to get into the profession. For the students to get into the courses of architecture and interior design they need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for architecture is that the students have completed the 12th grade with physics, chemistry and mathematics as compulsory subjects. The students should have their 12th degree from any recognised board. Besides that the students must also have a 60% or more aggregate to get into the top design colleges. Many cases require the students to be between the age of 17 and 21 years old. The students who want to join the postgraduate courses in architecture need to have a bachelor's degree in architectural Engineering or related field.

Interior designing courses on the other hand required the students to have completed the 10 + 2 level of education from any recognised board. Though there is no prescribed stream for the students wanting to join interior designing the students must have basic knowledge of mathematics which is necessary. The students are recommended to have 55% aggregate or more to get into the best colleges offering interior design courses. Similar to architecture, the students aiming to get into interior designing colleges need to appear for certain entrance examinations qualifying which will grant them admissions into top design colleges.

Architecture Vs Interior Designer: Entrance Exams

The students also need to appear top entrance examinations in order to join the best architecture colleges.

Here are some commonly appeared entrance examinations to become an architect.

Below are some of the entrance examinations that the students need to appear for interior design.

Interior Design and Architecture Difference: Subjects

Both the professions aim to create aesthetic living spaces which are functional and feasible for the client. Though the goal of both professions are the same, the subjects taught in the courses are very different from each other. In architecture the students are taught about engineering mechanics, engineering physics, engineering chemistry, building constructions, mechanics of solids, fluid systems, climatology, strength of material, structural analysis, concrete structures, water resources engineering etc. The students also learn about the theory of architecture, estimation costing and valuation, behavioural architecture, History of architecture etc. The students must also be taught studio related activities in which they understand building construction.

Similarly, the students of interior designing learn about the theory of design, material exposure, technical drawings, computer applications related to interior design, building services, cost estimation, art and craft etc. Interior designs students also have Studio and practical classes which teaches them about various materials and how to handle them. Besides that the students are offered electives which include poetry, literature, still photography etc in many colleges.

Also Check:

• Interior Design Colleges Through CUET

• Interior design entrance exam in India

• Interior Design Courses with Placement

Interior Designer and Architect Difference: Jobs Opportunities

To understand the difference between an architect and interior designer the students need to understand the type of jobs and scope each profession has to offer. Understanding the difference between interior architect and interior designer nature of work can help the students understand what kind of jobs they would prefer to do. An architect can get hired in firms which provide them a stable job. We can become Architects, interior designers, consultants, urban planners etc. Due to the demand of sustainable and environment friendly building designs Architects are in high demand. The rise in living standards has also improved the job scope for Architects so that the cities and living spaces are designed in a way which provides comfort as well as functionality.

Interior designers also have several job opportunities as the youngsters are interested in enhancing the aesthetics of the room at the same time demanding functionality and feasibility. Interior designers are hired as researchers, product designers, furniture designers, consultants etc. Most of the interior designers are hired by the company and firms. Interior designers also have the scope of working freelance and get paid on the basis of the projects that they do.

Architect and Interior Designer Difference: Salary

Architects and interior designers get paid differently. This section below discusses the average salary of architects and interior designers. In India the average annual salary of an architect is about Rs. 24.6 LPA. The salary of an architect in India ranges in between Rs. 2.5 LPA to Rs. 45 LPA. It depends on the skills and experience of the architects. Interior designers on the other hand have an annual average income of Rs. 4.1 LPA. The salary range of an Interior Designer is about Rs. 1 LPA to Rs. 6.6 LPA. The portfolio of an interior designer is very important to land into the high paying jobs.