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Kenzie Naber

Ms. Hoffman

R&W4CB

06 March 2018

Architecture vs. Interior Design

As high schoolers make the daunting transition from high school to college, they are

advised not to stress over a possible major. In an attempt to avoid the widespread point of view

that many students tend to change their major in college, I am striving to expand my knowledge

on the two possible career options I want to pursue. Architecture and interior design, two fields

that intrigue me, share similar qualities and duties but also have contrasting attributes.

Comparing education, growth, pay and job duties between these careers is key in developing the

necessary knowledge to determine which career is the best fit for me.

Interior designers strive to make the interior of buildings aesthetically pleasing by

carefully designing every aspect of the space. A great amount of effort and determination is

needed in order to achieve the title of an Interior Designer. A bachelor's degree in interior design

is required, followed by two years of work experience, and the mastery of the state exam, The

National Council for Interior Design Qualification (Interior). The process to become an interior

designer typically takes two to four years. A trend from data according to U.S. Superintendent of

Documents and the U.S. Department of Labor, shows that when the self employment rate

dropped from 30% to 12.6%, wages heightened from $46,280 to $49,810 in 2016. This trend
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confirms that when majority of interior designers are working in high-end architectural firms

compared to working solo, earn a higher salary.

Architecture is a relatively similar career, but one that includes many different daily

tasks. The objective of an architect is to design a plan for a building and to guarantee that it

meets all the safety requirements needed for the specific type of building. In each state there are

different laws and regulations related to building that are constantly changing, which requires the

architect to open to adaptation when it comes to their job. In order to become an architect, a

bachelor's degree in architecture is required along with 5,600 hours of work experience, and

passing a seven part exam given by the National Architectural Accrediting Board; overall this

process takes five to seven years (Architects). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the

top three highest earning industries in order of architecture are government, construction and

architectural, engineering and related services, leaving the median salary in 2016 at $76,930

(Summary 4).

Studentscholarships.org claims that being an interior designer means working in a

“multidisciplinary environment” while consulting clients, developing detailed plans and 3-D

models, and estimating materials and costs (Designers Statistics 2). ​Similarly, ​Bureau of Labor

Statistics states that​ ​architects meet with clients, estimate costs and construction time, prepare

scaled drawings, contract documents and structure specifications, and manage construction sites

and contracts (Architects Statistics 2). Both careers work regular office hours, around 40 hours a

week, although working weekends and late nights to meet deadlines or clients schedules is also a

big sacrifice that comes with these professions. Self employment is also always an option for

anyone who seeks more flexible hours in either of these career choices. Granting all of this, self
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employment can bring many disadvantages, some of which may include lower pay and a more

difficult time building a reputation for the business being provided. Cooperation and teamwork

are some characteristics that will come in to play while being either an interior designer or an

architect. Meeting with clients while also bouncing creative ideas off our peers is key when it

comes to these careers.

I have come to the conclusion that interior design is a better fit job for me personally

because of the growth, education and work experience involved with this career. Although the

starting and median pay is lower than those of an architect, there is much more room for growth.

The interior design industry is expected to grow 4% from 2014-2024 (Designers) while the

architecture industry is expected to grow -3% from 2014-2024 (Occupation). Personally, I would

prefer going to school for two to four years and being able to start my career in interior design at

a young age, rather than being in school for five to seven years before being able to gain

experience if I were to chose architecture. The fact that I can make such great progression during

my career while also drafting and watching the interior of a space be completely transformed is a

huge influence on my choice in interior design.

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Works Cited

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,

Architects, Accessed on 6 March 2018
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm

​Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,

Interior Designers, Accessed on 6 March 2018
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm

Groer, Annie. "So You Want to be an Interior Designer?; it Takes More than a Touch of
Class."​ The Washington Post​, Aug 29, 2002​, eLibrary​,
https://explore.proquest.com/document/409408828?accountid=54844.

“Interior Designers.” ​Careeronestop​,

https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=
Interior%20Designers&onetcode=27102500&location=UNITED%20STATES

Interior Designers. ​U.S. Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 2013​, eLibrary​,

https://explore.proquest.com/document/1461739671?accountid=54844.

​“Occupation Profile.” ​CareerOneStop​, 21 Mar. 2017,

www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Archit
ectural%2BDrafters&onetcode=17301101&location=USA

What Is a Day in the Life of a Interior Designers like?” ​StudentScholarships.org​,

studentscholarships.org/careers_salary/199/what_they_do/interior_designers.php#sthash.iN
sD5ZrF.X8MwMKCZ.dpbs