Difference Between Interior Design Vs Architect
Wants to know difference between interior design vs architect?
Whether you want to get some work done in your home and are unsure of which one to call between an architect and an interior designer, or you want to get your career started, and you can’t decide whether to do architecture or interior design, here is a detailed guide on the differences. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!
Architects and interior designers often work closely together, and it is pretty common for their fields to overlap. Besides, both disciplines work synchronously to ensure a perfect blend between a building and its indoors. Nevertheless, these two fields differ significantly. Understanding the critical differences between architecture and interior design is crucial when you want to embark on a career journey and if you are considering starting any construction project.
Architecture
Architecture is designing and planning any physical space, including buildings and structures. It involves the study of designing and constructing aesthetically appealing and safe buildings. That said, architects are responsible for ensuring that your building is structurally okay and meets all the construction codes and regulations.
Interior Design
Interior design, on the other hand, refers to enhancing the interior outlook of a building or house’s interior outlook to achieve an aesthetically pleasing indoor space. The field involves careful selection of indoor décors such as furniture, materials, accessories, and other elements like colour finishes.
As such, interior designers are responsible for not only designing but also decorating the indoor spaces of a building.
Responsibilities of Architects
The responsibilities of architects include:
- Developing building designs
- Developing detailed drawings for a building or structure
- Ensuring that the buildings and structures meet the codes and regulations
- Working hand in hand with other professionals like engineers to ensure good structural progress
Responsibilities of Interior Designers
The responsibilities of interior designers include:
- Developing detailed drawings for interiors
- Choosing the appropriate elements to perfectly fit the interior of a building – colour finishes, furniture, etc.
- Working closely with clients to understand their aesthetic preferences and turning them into interior design solutions
- Ensuring that the interior elements of the building meet the safety regulations of a jurisdiction
Architecture Vs. Interior Design – Key Differences
Both fields are crucial in ensuring all living and workspaces’ functionality and visual appeal. However, there are significant differences between architecture and interior design. They include:
- Education
Becoming an architect requires rigorous training. To be precise, it usually takes about five years to complete an undergraduate degree in architecture. Individuals interested in a master’s degree must attain a bachelor’s degree before furthering their studies.
In contrast, becoming an interior designer is not as hard. While some interior designers may have a bachelor’s degree in the field, some have a high school diploma, while others are in on-the-job training.
- Professional Qualification
You’ll need more than a bachelor’s degree to become a fully-fledged architect. Aspiring US architects need to complete an internship program and pass an Architect Registration Exam before submitting an application for a licence.
On the other hand, interior designers do not need a licence in most states. Although you can opt to become certified and registered as a designer, it is not a state requirement. Even then, interior design certification comes in handy with many benefits.
- Focus
An architect’s primary focus is designing and constructing buildings and all their physical structures. Therefore, an architect mainly focuses on planning and developing a construction site while ensuring that all the structures are safe and meet the construction regulations.
Interior design, on the other hand, is mainly focused on the interior aspects of a building – enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of a house to meet its user’s experience.
- Salary
When it comes to the salary, an architect typically earns more than an interior designer. This makes sense, especially since they undergo more vigorous education and certifications than interior designers. Still, interior designing is a sought-after course that can pay well throughout the year.
- Licensing, Codes and Regulations
After gaining a bachelor’s degree, architects must pass a licensing exam and obtain a professional licence. In other words, the profession of architecture is heavily regulated. Interior design, on the other hand, does not face heavy regulations and licensing requirements.
- Roles and Responsibilities
As indicated in the section above, the roles and responsibilities of an architect and an interior designer are very different.
Conclusion
Architecture and interior design are essential fields that involve space design, creation, and transformation. While the two have numerous similarities, they differ in education, qualifications, focus, salary, licensing, regulations, and roles and responsibilities.
So, if you choose a career, your chosen field will largely depend on your passion. Alternatively, knowing everything about architects and interior designers is a big plus if you plan on building your premises.
Contact C Plus Design if you are looking for architects in Sri Lanka.
