Interior Design or Graphic Design: Which Is For You?

These two creative career paths, although fundamentally different, are essentially about providing visual solutions, with graphic designers creating solutions in 2D, such as on websites and in print, while interior designers create solutions in the third dimension, such as in homes and hotels.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of both a graphic design and an interior design career, so you can decipher which discipline best suits your skill set and interests. The best part is you don’t have to decide which is better—graphic design or interior design. These rewarding career paths share a number of similarities, making it possible to pivot between the two if desired. Click one of the links below to jump straight to the section you're most interested in:

• Overall similarities & differences
• Educational similarities & differences
• Qualifications similarities & differences
• Role and responsibility similarities & differences
• Similarities & differences in work environment
• Can interior designers become graphic designers (and vice versa)?

How to choose between interior design vs. graphic design

To choose interior design or graphic design, it’s worth thoroughly understanding each profession and what makes them different from one another.

• Similarities between graphic and interior design  - Despite the implementation and end result being very different, the primary goal of both a graphic and interior designer is to work with clients to provide a creative and well-planned solution to a problem. For a graphic designer, this would typically be utilizing symbols, typography and imagery to create 2D visual communications that elevates the presence of brands or organizations, while an interior designer works with construction materials and internal furnishings to elevate the aesthetics and function of a space for its user. Therefore, both professions are concerned with the fundamental design principles, which include, color, pattern, rhythm, balance, proportion and variety, to name a few. Another big similarity is their collaboration with other professions to achieve their objective. For example, graphic designers will often work with multimedia animators, photographers and videographers, while interior designers will collaborate with vendors, manufacturers and craftspeople to complete a project. Therefore, impeccable communication skills, both visual and verbal, are a key similarity between the two professions. Other skills that overlap are technical drawing capabilities, with both professions requiring a knowledge of specific, albeit different, software tools to communicate their visual concepts to clients successfully. Read the section below on roles and responsibilities for more information. 
  
• Differences between graphic and interior design - The biggest difference between graphic designers and interior designers is their final product. Graphic designers work with two dimensional visuals in print or on screen, while interior designers will develop their initial two-dimensional concepts into three-dimensional spaces. Therefore, a graphic designer will not have an appreciation of 3D spatial planning, or be familiar with building codes and regulations. Education is another key difference, with graphic designers relying on a strong portfolio to nail positions and not necessarily requiring a degree-level certification, while interior designers are typically only hired by professional firms if they have a degree. It is also a requirement in some states for interior designers to be certified at degree level, however, there is no such necessity for graphic designers. This is because interior design often requires in-depth knowledge of building rules and regulations around things like structural walls and electrical wiring. Read more about educational requirements for each profession in the section below. 

The takeaway is to choose the path that you feel most passionate about. If you want to create beautiful yet functional spaces that you can touch and see and can benefit peoples’ lives, then an interior design career is more likely to appeal. However, if you're more at ease creating innovative visual solutions and have an interest in technology, then graphic design could be a good option for you. Still unsure which fork in the road to take? Read on to discover the potential opportunities of transitioning from one career to the other. 

Education differences for graphic designers vs. interior designers

Here we list the education options and how much it is likely to cost to help you choose between interior design or graphic design.

• Graphic Design Educational Options - To become a professional graphic designer, developing an impressive portfolio of work is essential as employers rely on portfolios to make hiring decisions. In theory, there’s nothing stopping you being self-taught and creating a portfolio of work on your own, however, most professional design firms will require candidates applying for graphic design roles to have completed a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or an associates degree, such as communication design. With this in mind, to actually apply for a bachelor’s degree, most programs will also require students to have completed a years foundation course in basic art and design, so they understand the fundamental principles of design. However, it is also possible to undertake technical training in graphic design if you have a degree in another subject, enabling you to transition to this profession through additional education. The key is to find a solid, well-rounded program that’s well-known in the industry and covers topics like the principles of design, commercial graphic design, technical training, and artistic vision, as well as business principles that may be useful for starting out in the industry.
• Estimated Average Cost of Graphic Design Education -  For the academic year 2021-2022, the average cost for an out-of-state Bachelor of Arts student was around $45,000 a year to achieve a degree in graphic design. This covered things like tuition, fees, equipment and rent. In-state students, however, spent on average around $15,000 a year to achieve a degree in graphic design, as they didn’t have the extra expense of paying for rent or food. 
• Interior Design Educational options - Many budding professionals wonder, “Can you be an interior designer with a graphic design degree?”. To become a professional interior designer, the requirements can vary, however, most students obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in interior design, or an associated degree, such as interior architecture, and even go on to achieve a master’s degree. Having a degree shows potential employers and clients that you’ve achieved a breadth of content that’s important for lifelong career success. We discuss interior design education options in more depth throughout our guide to the Top Interior Design Education Programs.
• Estimated Average Cost of Interior Design Education - The average cost for an undergraduate degree program for state students was around $6,062  for the academic year 2021-2022, while out-of-state students spent around $19,790 on tuition, fees and rent. Online degree courses are available and will bring the cost down significantly, however, the experience you gain is limited as you are not interacting face-to-face with other students and tutors. Learn more about how much it costs to become an interior designer.

Qualification requirements for interior design vs. graphic design

When choosing between an interior design or graphic design career, it’s important to know the most recognized qualifications required to enter into each.

• Qualification requirements to become an Interior Designer - Despite there being no legal requirement for interior designers to obtain a qualification or license to practice in most areas of the US (there are some states that have practice and title acts), this shouldn’t put you off obtaining a license or getting a specific qualification, as it demonstrates you meet high standards of practice. In fact, over 20 states offer interior designers the option to obtain a license through a rigorous examination process, such as the industry-renowned NCIDQ exam, which establishes standards of competence in interior design. It’s also worth noting that in a recent survey conducted by Houzz in 2022, it was discovered that more than 3 in 5 interior designers in the U.S. hold a license or a certification, suggesting that obtaining a license was an important factor when setting up their business. Interior designers who hold a NCIDQ certificate need to renew their credentials every year to stay active, while registered interior designers must renew every 2 years. Learn more about whether you need to be licensed to practice interior design.
• Qualifications requirements to become a Graphic Designer - As well as obtaining a bachelor’s degree, there are certification programs available from software product vendors to demonstrate competence, such as Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) and UX Design Professional Certificate. As with interior design, there is no specific licensing requirement to become a graphic designer, however, if you want to start your own freelance graphic design business, there are general business registrations that may be required, such as a local business license.

If you are interested in exploring the nuances of the interior design certification process, don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Interior Design Certification, where you’ll find everything you need to know. 

Interior designer vs. graphic designer roles & responsibilities

Take a deeper dive into the responsibilities of graphic designers vs. interior designers to explore their differences and similarities.

Responsibilities of a Graphic Designer - A graphic designer will be approached by a business or brand to help them communicate their product or message to the target audience in a captivating way using images, typography and graphics. A graphic designer:

• Uses technical tools, such as fonts, photography and animation, to deliver show stopping visual concepts, such as adverts, publicity materials and magazine layouts, to ultimately generate more business and profit for the company they are designing for. 
• Needs to be an innovative, critical thinker bursting with unique and inspiring ideas
• Communicate confidently to pitch ideas to clients or art directors. 
• Needs to work within a team
• Works within defined budget constraints.

In short, a graphic designer is responsible for the visual aspects of a variety of media like websites, apps, books, magazines, product packaging and branding, to ensure the correct messaging is communicated in an engaging way. 

Responsibilities of an Interior Designer  - An interior designer is responsible for making the interior of a space functional, safe and visually appealing. They must:

• Interpret and translate a client’s brief by determining the correct layout, specific color and pattern, the right furniture and exact lighting requirements that will meet the client’s needs and create a successful space. 
• Source products that are appropriate to the project and budget, and sometimes design and commission pieces. 
• Work closely with other designers, architects, contractors and manufacturers 
• Be an all-round brilliant communicator.

All in all, interior design is a multi-faceted role that can be challenging at times, but also incredibly rewarding. Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of an interior designer.

Shared Responsibilities  - 

• Creative ability and innovative thinking
• Problem solving
• Analytical skills to decipher the client’s brief and ensure they convey the right look and message. 
• Communication skills to ensure they accurately and effectively relay the right information, as well as maintain good relationships that generate more work. 
• Tech skills to prepare designs 
• Time management and project management skills to oversee a project from concept to completion, and ensure it is delivered on time and within budget. 
• Business management skills to ensure the smooth running of the company, such as an effective invoicing system for steady cash flow, and targeted marketing campaign to generate continuous inquiries. 

If you are eager to learn more about the inner workings of an interior designer’s role, look no further than our article on What Do Interior Designers Do? 

Do interior designers and graphic designers have different work environments?

In short, yes. A graphic designer’s role is predominantly desk-based due to the type of work they conduct, designing visuals on a computer using technical tools. An interior designer, on the other hand, will split their time between desk-based work, such as designing room concepts, and conducting site visits, showroom visits or overseeing the installation of products. The big similarity between the two professions is that both will visit clients to make presentations, and it’s possible for both jobs to be based from home. 

Interior designers can also be employed within a retail environment for a wholesale trade company or furniture store. These are very different environments, often sales focused and customer facing, and can include weekend work. For a closer inspection of an interior designer's working environment, check out Where Do Interior Designers Work?

Do interior designers have a better job outlook than graphic designers?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of graphic designers is projected to grow 3% slower than the average for all occupations from 2020 to 2030, while the interior design job market is projected to stay stable through the same period. Despite this limited employment growth, around 23,900 openings for graphic designers are projected each year on average through the decade, compared to 7,800 job openings per year for interior designers. Most of the openings for both professions are expected to result from the need to replace workers who retire or retrain. 

For a more detailed analysis into this topic, take a look at our article on Are Interior Designers In Demand?

Can an interior designer become a graphic designer?

From developing visual concepts to mastering technical drawing abilities, the skills learnt by an interior designer can help them transition relatively easily over to a graphic design career. Of course, additional technical skills using specific graphic design programs may need to be acquired, however, communication and time management skills are both vital principles used in each profession, and therefore can be seamlessly transferred across. 

Can a graphic designer become an interior designer?

There are many transferable skills that a graphic designer can utilize when retraining to become an interior designer, such as creative ability, communication and presentation skills, and the ability to adapt to the needs and wants of the client. If you’ve been nailing your client’s briefs successfully as a graphic designer, then you are likely to do the same as an interior designer. 

This pro sums up perfectly how the skills are interchangeable. “Having a graphic design background teaches you how to put presentations together, you know fonts, you know colors, you know the quality of images— that really helped me a lot in my interior design career.” Milena Fay, Interior Designer at Matte and Gloss Interiors in Glencoe, IL

However, there are significant aspects to learn when switching from graphic design to interior design. Firstly, learning to work with dimensions and measurements is crucial to ensure you can successfully create a physical space that works functionally. Secondly, you need to become familiar with building regulations, which can require specific licensing or certification.

It is absolutely plausible for a graphic designer to become an interior designer, as long as additional training and technical knowledge is acquired. 

It is also worth noting that graphic designers are often employed by an interior designer or interior architecture firm to deliver visual concepts, signage or bespoke artwork, so there’s still scope for a symbiotic relationship between the two professions if you decide to stick to what you were trained in. 

Conclusion

With an array of shared responsibilities and common design skills, it is possible for graphic designers to become interior designers and vice versa. In fact, switching between the two and transferring your skills can be a huge advantage to your new career and boost your experience. As for which is better, graphic design or interior design, only you can decide! Who knows where your new path could lead you?