• After XII (any stream), a two to three year diploma course in interior decoration can be pursued. After 3 years of diploma, one can work with interior decoration firms to attain the necessary experience.
  
• Class XII (PCM), admission can be taken for a five year course in Interior Design at CEPT, Ahmedabad. Entry here is through an admission test.

The only 5-year professional course in interior design available in India is at the School of Interior Design, Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), University Road, Navrangpur, Ahmedabad - 380 009.

CEPT is an autonomous institution offering its diplomas for various academic programmes which are recognised by the Government of India. The School of Interior Design is a specialised academics institute of CEPT. This is a full-time 5 year (10 semester) professional education Diploma programme in interior design.

Admission Requirements:

• Passing the standard 12 examination of Higher Secondary Certificate Examination or its equivalent in the science stream is required with minimum aggregate score of 60% in all the subjects including languages, electives, practicals, etc.
  
• Standard 11 with 65% and standard 12 with 50% aggregate in all subjects is acceptable.
  
• Class 12 school leavers awaiting results can apply if their standard 10 aggregate was at least 65%. Their admission would be provisional till results have been declared.
  

Admission Procedures:

A written test is intended:
(a) to evaluate ability of candidates in perceiving forms, scales and proportions of objects (live or otherwise)
(b) to observe working of natural and man made systems
(c) to imagine scientific or other phenomena and environment, etc. and produce them in drawing form and
(d) to assess ability and skill in drawing an arrangement of objects placed before the candidates.

Based on the performance at the first level test, about 40-60 candidates are selected for the final test. In the second level, test exercises are given to assess organisational and creative ability and aptitude for logical reasoning.

Interview:

Based on the performance at the first and second level tests, about 30 to 40 candidates are selected for the personal interview. The final selection of 20 candidates is based on:

• Performance at the first and second level test
  
• Performance at the interview
  
• Xth and XIIth standard examination merit
  
• Achievements and participation in curricular and extra curricular activities and in social events.

Other Courses

• SNDT Womens University, Nathibai Thakersey Road, Mumbai; (conducts 3 year course in interior design).
  
• School of Interior Design and Institute of Environmental Design, Vallabh Vidya Nagar, Gujarat-388120. (conducts 4 years' Interior Design Course).
  
• Exterior - Interiors, F-12, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019 conducts one year National Diploma course in Interior Design in collaboration with Jensen & Nicholson and Computer Aided Design by Edit Institute, Mumbai.
  (Exterior-Interior has a branch at 318 SCO, Sector 35B, Chandigarh 160036)
  
• Indian Institute of Interior Designers, Sulbha Niwas., Pt. J. Purohit Road, Mumbai-400016.
  
• Apeejay Institute of Design, 54, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, Mehrauli, New Delhi-110062
  

Note : The last two institutes conduct short courses. Polytechnics and vocational training schools in most cities conduct short term courses in interior design.

It is advisable for beginners procure an apprenticeship with an established firm of interior designers, and learn the ropes before venturing out on their own. A job as an apprentice is definitely not a very well-paid one, but it gives him/her tremendous opportunities to learn the basics of the work.

Trainees, after they have gained a requisite amount of experience, are often absorbed in the firm they have done their apprenticeship from. In this case, they are either paid a percentage of the earnings from a particular assignment handled by them; or a fixed salary, which, depending upon how successful the firm is, could be anywhere between Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000.

Jobs can be of -

Interior designing
Interior designers have technical knowledge of buildings and structures. They are trained to plan interior spaces, ventilation, electrical circuits and installations, drainage and water supply, air conditioning and heating systems. They prepare layout plans, elevations, perspectives and even prepare sample models. They have to keep themselves updated about the latest materials and products available in the market for creating beautiful and interesting interiors.

Interior decorators
Interior decorators suggest use of colour, textures, fabrics and decorative materials and light effects. They also give advise on layout and furniture in creating an attractive and functional interior.

Theatre and set designers
Theatre and set designers work on stage decor and also for film and TV sets. Designers work as per the director's plan for the whole production, e.g., set design varies for a play or a musical show. The design fits into the scene. In film and TV, the chief designer is often called the art director who briefs the carpenters, lighting technicians, set dressers and decorators.

Exhibition designers
Exhibition design begins with planning entire exhibition sites to designing individual stands, display panels to project an image within the exhibition itself .

Window display designers
Window display ranges from the shop window of a typical shop to a special occasion driven decor, for example Diwali displays. Fashion shops often have spring, summer, autumn and winter collection on display. Ways of presentation vary from designer to designer.