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Did you ever wonder if you could make a decent living as an artist?
If you decide to become an Interior Designer in Washington, that might allow you to get paid to use your creativity.
Article Table of Contents
States Requirements for Interior Designers
Most of the state requirements for Washington pertain to starting an interior design, design consultant, or decorator business.
Anyone serving in these roles must acquire a business license that demonstrates tax liability.
You can find detailed certification information at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Council For Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) websites.
Exam eligibility requires 60 classroom hours of training and about two years of full-time work experience as an assistant.
Additional requirements pertain to upper-level or renewal certificates.
5 Interior Design Schools in Washington
Make sure you verify with ASID or NCIDQ to be sure they approve of the coursework you plan to take.
In addition, you will want to register for at least one Washington interior design association.
It also helps if the school you join has a Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
If you are not sure what training path you should take, make sure you ask questions from your preferred association, your instructors, and academic advisors.
Other students may provide you with the right resources too.
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University students learn about the history of design, principles of composition, lighting display, and color theory.
In addition, they learn how to safely maximize a space’s capacity and still create functional and beautiful displays.
You may end up in paid or unpaid internships while attending here on real-world projects with clients.
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a degree often acquired by interior designers.
It covers art history and trends, which may benefit you on the job.
This college also has both design and architecture learning tracks, and an advisor could help you decide what courses would help you achieve an interior designer career.
Eastern Washington University
Graduates of Eastern Washington University may end up working for residential design firms, commercial offices, retail stores, and hospitality establishments.
They also have the skills necessary to start their own businesses if they acquire a Business Administration degree.
People who want to work as an interior designer might major or minor in Fine Arts, Art History, or Visual Arts.
These courses typically cover 2D and 3D design, which apply to both architecture and interior design careers.
You might learn a variety of computerized and hand drawing techniques that will help you with room staging, furniture design, or lighting displays.
The University of Seattle
The University of Seattle offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its School of Art+History+Design.
The curriculum covers everything from history and theory to project management and professional practice.
Some classes pertain to artistic trends and may apply to both architecture and interior design.
They also have an industrial design track and offer a Master of Design program for graduate students.
Art Institute of Seattle (Online Now)
You will not find an AI campus in Seattle anymore.
However, they serve students online from the Miami global campus.
This school offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.
This learning program prepares students for residential or commercial designers and includes introductions to color matching, lighting setup, computerized drafting, and more.
You also might find some certificate courses available that could help you with your certification exams.
Interior Design Schools in Washington – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Seattle Pacific University | 3307 3rd Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119 |
| Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts | One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130 |
| Eastern Washington University | 526 5th St, Cheney, WA 99004 |
| The University of Seattle | 901 12th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 |
| Art Institute of Seattle (Online Now) | 1501 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33132-1418 |
Salary
An interior designer in Washington can make a yearly salary of about $60,926 after a couple of years of full-time experience.
You might start out as an assistant and make about $30,000-$40,000.
Then, you would have the chance to apply to designer positions in cities such as Pullman, Kent, Bremerton, Seattle, and more.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $53,324 |
| Spokane | $47,013 |
| Tacoma | $51,716 |
| Vancouver | $50,501 |
| Bellevue | $53,324 |
| Everett | $52,183 |
| Federal Way | $51,716 |
| Kent | $51,611 |
| Yakima | $48,270 |
| Bellingham | $49,793 |
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 30 | $64,810 | $31.16 | $93,070 | $48,250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,210 | $80,950 | $38.92 | $117,710 | $59,560 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 130 | $61,140 | $29.4 | $87,940 | $37,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do I need to be an interior designer?
To succeed as an interior designer, you need creativity, good taste, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail.
You also need to practice your communication skills, so you can effectively work with clients and contractors.
Some experience in drafting or architecture may also help you.
What does an interior designer do?
An interior designer typically creates inside spaces that reflect a client’s needs and personality.
This may involve selecting furniture, fabrics, lighting, and décor.
In addition, you would coordinate colors and textures and plan the layout of a place.
Interior designers may work on commercial projects, such as restaurants or hotels, or they might work on private homes.
Do I need a degree to become an interior designer?
No, you do not have to have a degree to become an interior designer.
However, most employers prefer candidates who have earned a degree from an interior design program accredited by CIDA.
You also can enhance your design skills by apply an Applied Arts, Architecture, Art History or related fields.
How much does the NCIDQ certification exam cost?
The NCIDQ exam costs vary, depending on your certification level.
Usually, there is an exam fee of $225 that you might have waived if an ASID member.
The Washington ASID chapter posted a $535 fee plus a $100 application fee and an optional payment plan of four installments.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State