How to Become an Interior Designer in Minnesota
Interior design is both a technical and creative field that includes all aspects of the occupied space of a building: sound, lighting, airflow, color scheme and surface finishes, as well as often-overlooked details such as accessibility, plumbing and fixtures, cabinetry and emergency safety features. Interior designers work with private, commercial and even government clients to create spaces that are safe, comfortable, attractive, efficient and useful. With its robust economy, Minnesota is a promising location for future interior designers.
Requirements for Becoming an Interior Designer in Minnesota
Certification is not required to practice interior design in the state of Minnesota. It is, however, highly advisable, as interior designers are responsible for ensuring that buildings meet all legal requirements.
Interior design classes and certificate programs typically cover topics such as:
- Lighting design
- Presentation techniques
- Design process
- Space planning
- Furniture design
- Building codes
- Construction materials
In order to become certified, interior designers must pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam.
Interior Design Certification in Minnesota
Professional certification for interior designers in Minnesota is overseen by the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design. There are three ways to be certified as an interior designer in Minnesota.
If you are already licensed as an architect in the state of Minnesota, you can simply apply for certification as an interior designer with no further requirements.
Those who hold a certification from another state can apply for reciprocal certification. Candidates submit the Certified Interior Design Application. and eligibility is determined based on the Minnesota state requirements from the year that you first attained certification.
If you are just beginning to research educational options and are planning to seek certification, you should enroll in a four-year program that is accredited by CIDA. As with other states, you will need two years’ experience as well, but in Minnesota your supervised work time must be in the following categories: space planning, building code research and analysis, programming, schematic design and design development, preparation of construction documents, cost estimating, specification of building materials and finishes, specification of furnishings, fixtures and equipment, bidding and negotiating procedures and construction administration.
You should study Minnesota’s certification requirements carefully before choosing a program of study, and throughout your education to make sure you are fulfilling the above requirements. You must make sure that each person supervising your work is a certified interior designer, holds an NCIDQ certificate or is a licensed architect. You should document your supervised study as you do it—download the Employee History and Experience Form to help plan and track your work experience.
Interior Design Schools in Minnesota
Earning a degree will help you find more professional opportunities within this field. Consider one of the following Interior Design Programs:
- University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and St Paul offers a four-year Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)-accredited program. It also offers interior design graduate programs, including a PhD. In-state annual tuition for undergraduates is $14,760, and out-of-state tuition is $30, 438 (check this amount, though—it appears to be increasing).
- Dunwoody College of Technology also has a CIDA-approved interior design program, offering a Bachelor of Science in their school of Construction Sciences and Building Technology. They boast that 98 percent of recent graduates found employment in their field of study. For a global perspective on interior design, Dunwoody offers study abroad and travel study. Average annual tuition is $18,813.
- Century College offers an associate’s degree, a certificate, and a diploma in interior design. They also offer a diploma in home furnishing sales. Interior design students can pursue these on a full- or part-time schedule, with a combination of on-campus and online courses.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations for Interior Designers in Minnesota
The career outlook for interior designers in Minnesota is quite favorable, with interior designers in the state earning an average annual salary of $60,990, which is slightly below the national average of $61,590. In Minnesota, the lowest 10% of earners make $36,810 or less, while the highest 10% can earn up to $86,620 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. Minnesota Salaries for Interior Designers
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $35,820 | $44,640 | $51,120 | $65,360 | $78,010 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $31,200 | $43,740 | $48,640 | $66,040 | $69,870 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $38,100 | $51,010 | $62,260 | $76,690 | $88,460 |
Interior Designer Trends in Minnesota
The employment outlook for Interior Designers in Minnesota is set for a modest growth, with a projected increase of 2% from 2020 to 2030. The number of interior designers in the state is expected to rise from 1,850 employees in 2020 to 1,890 employees by 2030. Annually, there are projected to be 170 job openings in Minnesota 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 Minnesota, reflecting the state’s growing design industry.
Employement Trends
| Location | Employment (Start Year) | Projected Employment (End Year) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 1,850 (2020) | 1,890 (2030) | 2% | 170 |
| 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 Minnesota 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 in Minnesota
The interior design industry is very broad, and interior design working professionals in Minnesota can put their skills to use in a variety of ways. Some Interior designers specialize in kitchens and bathrooms, while others work exclusively in furniture sales. Interior designers might work for a homebuilder, helping buyers choose fixtures, finishes and other features of a home before it is built.
Interior designers can also work for the public sector, helping design modern and efficient schools and hospitals. Some will specialize in designing interiors for the elderly and people with disabilities, or helping to create energy-efficient, eco-friendly buildings while others work for various interior design firms. Interior designers have a real impact on peoples’ quality of life at work, at home and at play.
FAQs
What is the most important thing in interior design?
The most important element of interior design would be a functional space. Functional space acts as the base of the entire interior design.