Architectural Designs

Am I qualified for studying a Master degree in Interior Design?

I have been working as a freelance interior designer in HongKong for 2 years. I am doing fine even though I am not very good at freehand drawing and sketch. My original academic background was marketing. Recently, I have planned to find a job in an interior design firm. However, I have been kept asked for a relevant academic qualification. It really upsets me a lot. I wonder if I spent a year in the UK for a MA Interior Design degree would it be sufficient to follow the course with only my working experience and passion in the interior design field? How intensive a master design course will be?

Public Comments

1. Hello, I am not in Interior Design but I would like to advise you as to the best course of action. Use the internet and speak or email the 'experts' in this field and let them decide from your background/CV as to whether you require to complete a Masters degree. Usually ID asks for a BA (Hons) and a portfolio of your past work. Use GOOGLE and type in Interior design qualifications and see what comes up. Its always better to go direct to the right people rather than rely on 'unknown' individuals to give advice especially on topics such as these. The majority of the sites you come across will give you a phone/email so get asking and good luck. Rgds Alex
2. in my experience your work and potential are infinitely more important than your degree. if you're looking for a position in a firm you need to communicate some fundamental things: your interest, knowledge, and passion for the field your willingness to work hard (in the beginning maybe for free or for a painfully low salary) your past experience, presented well. (you may have to re-do your original presentations to make them slicker than they originally were. invest the time. eliminate work that does not hold up to the level of the firm, even if it means reducing the size of your portfolio.) if you don't have enough actual work invent some- something that always impresses me is a portfolio that is full of extra work done without a client- done because you are curious and interested. for example, i hate seeing student portfolios that have only assigned, school projects. your creativity your usefulness to the firm (ie, your ability to use the standard computer programs, your capacity to interpret the ideas of others, your capacity to create effective presentations, your knowledge of what is going on in the field (not just in hong kong but all around the world), your ability to work in a team...) my suggestions are these: first, know where you REALLY want to work and why. inform yourself of the work of the firm and be prepared to comment on it. adjust the presentation of your past work to conform to the work of the firm where you are applying. prepare a portfolio with each project presented in the same, standard format- don't show up with odds-and-ends. offer to do a stage- work for free for a period to prove your worth without asking the firm to risk hiring somebody that may not be a good fit. (when i hire someone i insist on a stage of at least a couple of months- i want to see whether they are useful and compatible with the rest of my office.) if you can get your foot in the door and communicate the above, then you will succeed. good luck- it's a tough business. but (mostly) a satisfying one.
3. In which country is the firm you wanted to join? If they asked for a relevant academic qualification it shows they were not sure of your capabilities. I suspect the firm is not a Hong Kong one? If they asked for academic qualifications- why did you not ask them which ones they would accept? One rejection should not deter you if you are keen to be in this industry.