How to Become an Interior Designer in Michigan
Interior designers are known for having a creative and technical background that allows them to prepare construction documents, collaborate with allied design professionals, and formulate scaled drawings, specifications and more. As such, many interior designers in Michigan work closely with architects, contractors, realtors and home design companies. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, working as an interior designer might be a great career option for you.
The first step to becoming an interior designer in Michigan is to attend a formal educational program for interior design, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program. To become certified as an interior designer, you will need to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ).
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Michigan
Before you can qualify to take the NCIDQ exam you will need to complete a minimum of an associate’s degree as well as four years of work experience under a certified interior designer or architect.
Those looking to increase their knowledge by pursuing higher education can expect the following topics to be covered:
- Building codes
- Lighting
- Space planning
- Visual communication
- Overall quality
- color
- Architectural history
The more education you have, the less work experience you will be required to have before you become eligible to take the national exam. If you complete a bachelor’s degree or higher, your work experience requirement will be reduced by at least two years.
Interior Design Schools in Michigan
The International Interior Design Association – Michigan Chapter provides a hefty list of interior design degrees and programs available in the state of Michigan. The following programs are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), an authority on interior design education according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Central Michigan University. CMU offers a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design. This program involves the detailed design of interiors with an emphasis on an integrated approach that relates interior design to society and architecture. Students who have graduated from this program can expect to excel in many different interior design focuses including commercial and residential design. Residents of Michigan currently pay an annual tuition of $24,076, including room and board.
- College for Creative Studies. CCS’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree program will aid students in developing a holistic approach to creating functional environments that also respond effectively to the way people live their lives. CCS uses a collective approach, strengthening the aesthetic point of view for each student while paying close attention to the needs of each client. For the 2017-2018 school year, undergraduate tuition was approximately $21,345 per semester for full-time enrollment. Tuition does not include housing.
- Kendall College of Art and Design. KCAD offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design program that teaches students how to use creative problem solving and design thinking to explore the functionality, aesthetic appeal and user experience of interior environments. Using a collaborative and individual learning experience that emphasizes place-making and human-centered design, students are immersed in studio culture from day one. The undergraduate tuition for KCAD, including room and board, is approximately $30,060 per year.
- Western Michigan University. Students enrolled in WMU’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture program will explore the minute details of interior design while also gaining a comprehensive understanding of the architectural elements that shape and define interior spaces. This program is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in both residential and commercial design.
Certification for Interior Designers in Michigan
Individuals who would like to become a certified interior designer will need to take and pass the
National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam through the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). The exam will identify that certificate holders have successfully achieved a high level of competency in a variety of areas, including analysis of client goals and requirements, the application of life safety codes and accessibility regulations, formulation of scaled drawings, design concepts, color theory and preparation of construction documents, among others.
You will need to satisfy one of the following combinations of education and work experience in order to take the exam:
- An interior design bachelor’s degree from a CIDA-accredited program plus two years of full-time work experience (3,520 hours) under a certified interior designer
- An interior design bachelor’s degree that is not accredited plus two years of full-time work experience (3,520 hours) under a certified interior designer
- A bachelor’s degree (minimum) in any other major and no less than 60 semester hours of interior design work and two years of full-time work experience
- An interior design associate’s degree (60 semester hours) and three years of full-time work experience (5,280 hours) under a certified interior designer
- An interior design associate’s degree (40 semester hours) plus four years of full-time work experience (7,040 hours) under a certified interior designer
- A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with three years of full-time work experience (5,280 hours) under a certified interior designer
The NCIDQ exam is composed of three sections:
- The Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions
- The Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX), consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions
- The Practicum (PRAC) exam, a full-day examination consisting of seven exercises
The registration fee for the IDFX exam is $295, the fee for the IDPX exam is $350, and the PRAC exam has a fee of $455. For each exam cancellation, you would be required to pay an additional $150.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The career outlook for interior designers in Michigan is quite promising, with interior designers in the state earning an average annual salary of $60,680, which is slightly below the national average of $61,590. In Michigan, the lowest 10% of earners make $39,110 or less, while the highest 10% can earn up to $87,660 or more. This data indicates a competitive wage landscape for professionals in the field, with a range of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and location within the state.
National vs. Michigan Salaries for Interior Designers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,610 | $61,590 | $101,550 |
| Michigan | $39,110 | $60,680 | $87,660 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Michigan for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $41,600 | $49,600 | $61,380 | $78,420 | $87,660 |
| Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $37,440 | $47,160 | $64,600 | $80,980 | $97,080 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $40,440 | $46,330 | $59,890 | $77,050 | $89,130 |
| Flint, MI | $33,800 | $44,990 | $54,940 | $65,640 | $76,610 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $39,820 | $48,060 | $61,200 | $76,150 | $87,390 |
Interior Designer Trends in Michigan
The employment outlook for Interior Designers in Michigan is set for modest growth, with a projected increase of 3% from 2020 to 2030. The number of interior designers in the state is expected to rise from 2,030 employees in 2020 to 2,090 employees by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 190 job openings in Michigan for interior designers over the decade, which includes new positions due to growth as well as replacements for vacancies created by workers leaving the field. This data suggests a steady demand for interior designers in Michigan, reflecting the state’s growing design industry.
Employement Trends
| Location | Employment (Start Year) | Projected Employment (End Year) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 2,030 (2020) | 2,090 (2030) | 3% | 190 |
| United States | 94,900 (2022) | 98,700 (2032) | 4% | 9,000 |
Souces of data:
The data provided in the summaries and tables comes from the O*NET Online website, specifically from the pages detailing employment trends and wage information for Interior Designers in Michigan and nationwide. The employment trend data is sourced from Projections Central and the wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the year 2022-2032. These sources are reputable for their comprehensive and up-to-date labor market information, including occupation-specific employment projections and wage statistics across the United States.
Working as an Interior Designer Michigan
There are many job prospects for interior designers throughout the state, but opportunities in the cities of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Royal Oak and Ann Arbor are most abundant. Interior designers in Michigan can be found working as interior design associates for design companies, at high-end furniture stores like Ethan Allen, as adjunct professors at state universities and with architectural firms.
Regardless of what aspects of interior design you might want to focus on, the state of Michigan is home to many different job possibilities. Once you finish school and get some work experience under your belt, you might also choose to branch out independently as a freelance interior designer.
FAQs
Is Interior Design a competitive field?
Interior design is a competitive field. The more competitive interior design jobs start in the specialized areas of the industry such as commercial, residential, hospitality and healthcare interior design.