Interior Design Terminology Every Student Must Know
Terms used in Interior design are at times confusing especially if they are jargons. The proper use of interior design terminologies can make a person appear knowledgeable in the field. There are several interior design terms to know for the amateurs, professionals, and the clients. Knowing the interior design technical terms can help one convey the demands in a better way. This glossary of interior design terms can be helpful to aspirants and professionals as it contains some of the most commonly used interior design terminologies.
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Also See: Top B.Des colleges in India
Glossary of Interior Design Terms
This article has a list of 25 common interior design technical terms that are used by the professionals in an office setting. If you are an interior design aspirant, you must know these 25 interior design terminologies. And if you are a client who wants to redecorate the house you too can dive in and understand these terms used in interior design that can help you with understanding your designer better.
Accent is one of the interior design terms to know as it is commonly used by professionals. In interior design terms accent means something that stands out and gives an identity to a space. This could either be a bold piece of art or some unique showcase item that draws attention and suits the personality of the owner of the room by having a personal touch to it.
Ambiance of space refers to the overall feel that it gives. Many factors such as colour texture and arrangement determine the mood that it creates.
Art Deco was prominent during the 1920s and 1930s. It was a movement which propagated the hedonistic ideas of opulent aesthetics. The use of bold colour and metallic surfaces along with wallpaper patterns are some of the common practices of this movement.
Balance - One of the key principles of interior design is balance. It denotes finding the equilibrium in the space to create a harmonious distribution of the visual weight. The interior designers put different elements of design by properly balancing in between colour, size, texture, and light. .
Bespoke is a unique term in the glossary of interior design terms and it refers to the space that is created specially tailored to fit the demands of the client. Often the client uses luxury design items which are truly unique to their identity.
Balustrade is a small series of pillars supported by a railing usually used on the staircase balcony or terrace for the safety of the users. Modern day architecture has replaced the pillars with solid glass barriers to create a visual effect.
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Cabriole Leg: One of the classic double curved wooden leg most commonly used in the chairs and tables is known as the cabriole leg. In this the top curd is usually convex which bulges out and the second curve goes in to create a rounded wooden bottom pad.
Chair Rail refers to the decorative moulding that is installed on the wall at the height of a chair. The design is made in such a way that the user of this chair can rest the back on the wall.
Colour Scheme: The set of colours which is used in the setting of a room to create harmonious looks is known as colour scheme. Interior designers usually tune in to bring the colour most suited to the environment and pick out furniture to fit in. The colour scheme is usually decided by the client with advise from the interior designer.
Contrast is one of the interior design terminology that is used in photography as well as other design studies which contain visual aspects. In interior design it refers to the effect of enhancing one design element amongst all others by choosing a colour which is opposite to the colour of the surrounding items. By doing so the interior designers enhance the visual appeal of the room. Besides colours this can also be done with textures or shapes.
Curated: it is a unique interior design term to know which means choosing the furniture or decorative items which is especially designed for the taste of the client. The curated items usually reflect the personality of the client or the space that they want to create.
Elevated is a common interior design technical term which is used to denote the exceptional refinement and class of Style used to give an idea which is beyond incorporation of unique aesthetics.
Faux means an object that mimics the actual material but is much ethical, cheaper and easily available.
Feng Shui: One of the most commonly used terms in interior design has to be fengshui. It is a concept and certain set of rules which guides once towards the arrangement of furniture and room decor to bring positive energy to the room.
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Focal point is a commonly used interior design terminology which denotes the item in the room that immediately catches attention. The focal point of the room need not always be at the centre but it definitely should catch attention and the other elements in the room should guide the viewers eyes towards the focal point. This can either be a piece of artwork or furniture.
Harmony: One of the essential interior design technical term is harmony. It rippers to the blending of various design elements to achieve a cohesive look. Harmony is essential while designing as there are multiple aspects to look into like colour, texture, style etc.
Layered: Layering one of the commonly used interior design terminology which means the coverage of the room with various elements done cohesively so that they blend into each other. This is done by the interior designers to add a layer of depth to the room.
Lighting is a commonly used graphic design terminology. This is one of the most vital elements in interior design and it means the natural light that floods the room from the Windows and doors as well as the artificial lights that are arranged to make a for the night time use. Each room has its own lighting based on the use of the room.
Minimalism denotes the lifestyle or interior design arrangement that focuses more on the simplicity and minimal use of colour and decoration in a room.
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Ottoman is a common interior design term to know and it signifies the upholstered padded seat or a footstool arranged near the sitting area for resting feet or it can also serve as a decorative stylish item.
Pattern in interior design terms pattern refers to the repetition of a design on the surface of fabric, wall or tiles. Patterns usually add an interesting aspect to the visual of a room and it also tells a lot about the personality of the person living there. Some of the common patterns used are florals, geometric, polka dots, stripes etc.
Spatial Planning: One of the core words in the glossary of interior design terms is spatial planning. It denotes the strategic arrangement of the design items in a given space. The arrangement must be done so that there is some logic behind it.
Swatch is a commonly used interior design terminology which describe small samples of fabric or colour that can be used by the designers to explain the clients about a particular combination. The interior designers use this to help the clients choose the best out of all available options.
Symmetry: By the name of it the readers must have guessed what is meant by this interior design terminology. Symmetry usually means the balance that is created through the design elements.
Rhythm: Use of repetitive elements or patterns to create an interesting visual space is called rhythm.
Textured refers to the object or room that has a visual appeal often focusing on various fabrics colors and patterns that are used in the design.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In interior design terms, design means how the arrangement of elements are done in a given space.
Luxury in interior design means the incorporation of elegance and wealthy items that reflects the personality of the individual who owns the place.
Pattern is the repetition of a motif on walls, fabrics, tiles, etc.
The repetition of elements in a place is called rhythm.
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Questions related to B.Des
you can apply for both B.F.Tech and B.Des entrance exams at NIFT on a single application form, meaning you can submit your application for both courses simultaneously; however, you will need to choose your preferred course during the seat allocation process as you can only be allotted one seat based on your entrance exam performance across both programs.
Both courses will require you to take the NIFT entrance exam, which includes both the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT).
once you submit your NIFT application, you generally cannot change the course you selected; however, during the application window, you might be able to modify your choices within a limited timeframe before final submission, but you cannot change your course after the application is finalized and payment is made.
NIFT 2025 might provide a limited window to correct information on your application, but this is usually only for minor details, not course selection.
Hi,
B.Des or bachelor of design is an undergraduate degree programme. B.Des course duration is four years, offered by many colleges and universities across India.
There are many best government and private colleges for bachelor of design in Pune. some of the best government colleges are given below
- Department of Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
- COEP Pune
- Film and Television Institute of India Pune
- Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune
For more government design college in Pune , you can check here.
Hope this information will help you
Hello Nandita,
If you're looking to pursue a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Fashion Communication or a design program without an entrance exam and at an affordable private college, here are some options that offer such programs:
1. Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Ahmedabad
-
Program Offered:
B.Des in Fashion Design and other design disciplines.
-
Admission:
You can apply directly, and sometimes an interview or portfolio review may be needed.
- Reputation: Known for quality design education.
-
Affordability:
Moderately priced compared to other top design institutes.
2. Pearl Academy
-
Program Offered:
B.Des in Fashion Communication, Fashion Design, and other design courses.
-
Admission:
Pearl Academy has its own entrance test, but it’s generally considered easier compared to NIFT.
-
Reputation:
It’s one of the reputed design colleges with good industry connections.
-
Affordability:
Offers scholarships and various fee structures.
3. Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida
-
Program Offered:
B.Des in Fashion Design and other fashion-related programs.
- Admission: Direct admission or based on an interview/portfolio.
- Reputation: A well-known private institution with decent placements.
-
Affordability:
Generally more affordable than top-tier design schools.
4. Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab
-
Program Offered:
B.Des in Fashion Design.
-
Admission:
LPU has its own entrance exam (LPUNEST), but you can get direct admission based on your 12th grade marks.
-
Reputation:
Known for offering a wide range of programs with modern infrastructure.
-
Affordability:
Offers scholarships to make the course more affordable.
5. JD Institute of Fashion Technology
- Program Offered: B.Des in Fashion Communication, Fashion Design.
- Admission: Offers direct admission without any entrance exam.
- Reputation: Well-established design institute with decent industry links.
-
Affordability:
Comparatively affordable.
Conclusion:
These colleges offer direct or easier admission routes without the pressure of national-level entrance exams like NIFT. You should also check their scholarship opportunities, which can make your education more affordable. Choose a college that aligns with your interests, budget, and long-term career goals in design.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello aspirant,
Here below I am providing you with the name of some of the colleges:
- National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh
- National Institute of Design, Haryana
- National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh
- National Institute of Design, Assam
For more information, you can visit the following link:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/list-of-nids-in-india
Thank you
Hi,
The admission process for a B.Design (Bachelor of Design) program typically involves the following steps, which can vary slightly depending on the institute:
1. Entrance Exam: Many institutes conduct an entrance exam specifically for admission to their B.Design program. Some popular entrance exams for B.Design include:
- NID Entrance Exam (National Institute of Design)
- UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design)
- CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design)
- NIFT Entrance Exam (National Institute of Fashion Technology)
2. Application Form: Candidates need to fill out the application form for the entrance exam conducted by the respective institute or organization. The application forms are usually available online on the official website of the conducting body.
3. Admit Card: After successfully submitting the application form and paying the required fees, candidates receive their admit cards for the entrance exam. This admit card is necessary for appearing in the exam.
4. Entrance Exam: Candidates appear for the entrance exam on the scheduled date and time. The exam typically tests the candidate's aptitude, creativity, design skills, visual perception, and analytical ability.
5. Result Declaration: After the exam, institutes declare the results based on the performance of candidates. The results may include scores or ranks, depending on the exam.
6. Counselling and Seat Allocation: Qualified candidates are called for counselling, where they may have to participate in a portfolio review, studio test, and/or personal interview. Based on the overall performance in the entrance exam and counselling rounds, seats are allocated to candidates.
7. Final Admission: Candidates who successfully clear all rounds of counselling and meet the eligibility criteria are offered admission into the B.Design program.
Hope it helps !
Explore Career Options (By Industry)
Video Game Designer
Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.
Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.
Animator
An animation career is one of the most interesting career options in the creative field. The primary job of careers in animation is to create multiple images, known as frames, that results in an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in a quick sequence. Students should pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Visual Arts to opt for an animator career path. Individuals who opt for a career as an animator typically specialize in one of the media and may further concentrate on a specific area, such as characters, scenery, or background design. Animators typically use computer software to do such work.
Fashion Designer
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Fashion designers make trendy designer clothes, stay updated with the trends, using various modern elements into their designs. They are always coming up with new ideas and turning their creative visions into clothes people can wear. Their creations allow people to express themselves through what they wear, showing their unique style and identity.
Interior Designer
Interior designers create various spaces, from indoor to outdoor, they provide a pleasing home environment, as well as, make the environment beautiful. It is the job of interior designers who study the art of transforming a space into what the client wishes for. Interior designers work with a wide variety of clients, starting from small house owners to big corporations.
As part of the interior design career, individuals should also be aware of certain inspection regulations. Interior designing is to enhance the interior of a building to achieve an aesthetically pleasing environment. This is a part of both science and arts to make a certain place healthier and more peaceful for the people.
Product Designer
Individuals who opt for a career as product designers are responsible for designing the components and overall product concerning its shape, size, and material used in manufacturing. They are responsible for the aesthetic appearance of the product. A product designer uses his or her creative skills to give a product its final outlook and ensures the functionality of the design.
Students can opt for various product design degrees such as B.Des and M.Des to become product designers. Industrial product designer prepares 3D models of designs for approval and discusses them with clients and other colleagues. Individuals who opt for a career as a product designer estimate the total cost involved in designing.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer career designs products, displays, posters, hoardings, logos, and marketing materials. Graphic designers can get employment in publications, advertising and marketing firms, and much more. A graphic is a form of vision that can be associated with art, imagination, or expression. A graphic designer creates eye-catching images by combining layout, colour theory, and graphics.
A graphic designer combines technical skills with artistic vision to provide visual content. He or she develops layouts for books, brochures, advertisements, and websites using design tools. A graphic designer closely collaborates with teams or clients to comprehend project specifications and brand standards.
Industrial Designer
The concepts for manufactured products such as cars, home appliances, electronics and toys are developed by industrial designers. They combine art, business and technology to produce daily goods that people need. Individuals who opt for a career as Industrial Designers operate in a number of industries. Ironically, manufacturers employ only 29 per cent of industrial designers directly. Students can pursue Visual Communication to become Industrial Designer.
Visual Merchandiser
A visual merchandiser is a professional who makes it look astonishing by utilising his or her designing skills. Visual merchandising contributes to awareness and brand loyalty among consumers. An individual, in visual merchandising career outlook, plays a crucial role in fetching the attention of customers and bringing them to the store.