Interior design has existed for hundreds of years for the aesthetic purposes of various places such as temples, churches, and mosques, and it has continued to evolve to include the arrangement of homes and palaces internally (decoration), with the designer’s creativity in designing every corner of the palaces to serve a specific purpose. This led to the creation of guest rooms, reception halls, and prestigious libraries that suit the palace owner. In the late 19th century, this field began to spread more widely, and the need for specialized designers with both knowledge and design talent increased. Consequently, universities began to offer specialized programs in interior design and decoration to provide opportunities for those who wish to develop their talents and delve deeper into the field of decoration to start their educational journey and subsequent professional life.
Since then, Turkish universities have excelled in offering programs in architecture, interior and environmental design, and all other artistic specialties, due to Turkey’s strong interest in both interior and exterior architecture. Universities have also welcomed many students from around the world to study and train both within their campuses and externally in architectural consultancy offices and real estate and decoration companies.
Importance of Studying Interior Design
Talent only is not sufficient to secure job opportunities in the design field. A person with a talent for drawing and a desire to delve deeper into decoration needs to study it first and understand the history of art and the development of architecture. Because the specialty of architecture is one of the fields that requires both a high level of culture and talent, and on the other hand, it requires a degree from a prestigious university that enhances the owner’s skills and opens up unique job opportunities.
Curriculum for Interior Design
The duration of study in the Interior Design department at Turkish universities is four years for the undergraduate level, and the academic content in most Turkish universities includes a variety of study programs. It should be noted that the content may vary from one university to another, so students should review the Course Description on the website of the university they wish to study at before registering.
First Academic Year
- Design Fundamentals
- Introduction to Design and Architecture
- Visual Media in Design
- Interior Design Studies
- Introduction to Interior Design
Second Academic Year
- Interior Architecture Design
- History of Art and Architecture
- Environmental Control Systems Studio
Third Academic Year
- Interior Architecture Design (Part III)
- History of Furniture and Design
- Design Theory
Fourth Academic Year
- Final part of Interior Architecture Design
- Drawing Measurement
- Graduation Project Design
Example: Click here to view the courses taught for the Interior Design specialty at Istanbul Bilgi University
Turkish universities typically train their students practically inside or outside the campuses during the third and fourth years before graduation to ensure students’ ability and qualification to obtain job opportunities in design offices and various real estate companies.
Job Opportunities for Graduates
- Designers for residential units and apartments internally
- Office design and room dimensioning
- Work in real estate companies
- Internal design of hotels and tourist villages with consideration of entertainment facilities and pools
- Design of hospitals, presidential palaces, and government buildings
