Interior Design Course In Malaysia

1. What Is Interior Design?

Interior designing is the art and science of enhancing the interiors of buildings and structures to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. It involves careful planning, designing, and incorporating elements, such as layout, lighting, sound, colour, materials, furniture, and equipment, to meet the needs and requirements of a space.

Why It Matters To The World?

• An Interior Design Course helps you bring out the value of a space based on these considerations: (1) Aesthetics (2) Functionality (3) Comfort (4) Psychological Impact (5) Space Optimisation (6) Safety (7) Economic Value

• A well designed space encourages productivity and interactiveness. This is very important for commercial and office design.

• Good interior design has the power to increase the value of a property and close the sale.

Here’s a practical video coming from a practicing Interior Designer to tell you all about it:

2. Interior Design vs Interior Architecture

Generally, people tend to conflate the terms interior architecture and interior design, but there are differences worth considering. The former emphasises functionality and technical aspects of design while the latter focuses on aesthetic elements.

Here are the main differences in emphasis:

Interior Design	Interior Architecture
➡️ Selecting color schemes, furniture, lighting, and decorative elements. ➡️ Enhancing ambiance and usability of a space. ➡️ Working with clients to reflect personal or brand identity. ➡️ Strong sense of style, colour theory, and spatial awareness. ➡️ Ability to select and arrange furnishings, textiles, and lighting. ➡️ Understanding of client needs and trends in interior design.	➡️ Space planning and structural modifications. ➡️ Working with building codes, safety regulations, and sustainability. ➡️ Merging architecture with interior elements (e.g., walls, lighting, ventilation). ➡️ Strong understanding of architecture and engineering. ➡️ Knowledge of materials, building codes, and construction. ➡️ Ability to design functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

However, when it comes to courses, most universities in Malaysia have adapted their Interior Design Course to incorporate subjects from Interior Architecture and vice versa. 

So when going through the syllabus, you will find that the majority of Interior Design Courses and Interior Architecture Courses are similar. Nevertheless, you should inspect carefully.

In fact, the Board of Architects Malaysia or Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) sees Interior Design Courses and Interior Architecture Courses as the same and therefore the official guidelines to become a licensed practitioner are the same. More below.

3. Where To Study Interior Design Courses In Malaysia?

Here are 10 best universities to study Interior Design courses in Malaysia.

• #1 Taylor’s University
• #2 Raffles University
• #3 SEGI University
• #4 Equator College
• #5 Malaysian Institute Of Art (MIA)
• #6 University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia
• #7 First City University College (FCUC)
• #8 The One Academy
• #9 University Teknologi Sarawak (UTS)
• #10 UCSI University
• BONUS — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

10 Best Universities To Study Interior Design In Malaysia

4. Interior Design Course Pathways & Entry Requirements

There are 2 pathways one can consider to qualify for a career in Interior Design. The pathways for Interior Architecture is the same.

Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Interior Design Degree

One of the pathway towards an Interior Design Degree is starting with a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.

As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits to enter Pre-U or Foundation. It takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Interior Design.

An Interior Design Degree will take between 3 to 3.5 years to complete. The additional duration is typically filled with more projects and internship opportunities to get you ready and build your portfolio. 

Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:

Qualifications	General Requirements
A-Level	2D
AUSMAT/SACE	ATAR 60
CIMP	55%
STPM	2C
UEC	5B
Foundation	CGPA 2.0

Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities.

In total, this pathway generally takes 4 to 4.5 years to complete.

Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma ➔ Interior Design Degree

You can also enter the interior design industry quicker with a Diploma qualification first.

As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 3 credits to enter Diploma.

A Diploma in Interior Design normally requires 2.5 to 3 years to complete depending on the university offering.
If you choose to pursue an Interior Design Degree after completing your Diploma, you need to undergo an additional 2 to 2.5 years and meet the minimum requirement of CGPA 2.0 to enter into.

5. Accreditation For Interior Design In Malaysia

How to be a licensed Interior Designer in Malaysia?

Scenario 1: Recognised Qualification

To be able to work as a licensed interior designer, you have to be registered with the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM):

• Firstly you have to graduate from an accredited Interior Design / Interior Architecture course by LAM.

• Upon graduation from an accredited course, you are entitled to register as a Graduate Interior Designer. 

• Next, you need to pass the Interior Design Licensure Examination (IDLE) which comprises the following assessments:
  • Stage 1: Submission of the Practical Experience Log Book, the Professional Experience Evaluation Report and the Professional Casework Report (if required). The Log Book reflects your recorded experience working for at least 2 years as an interior designer or related work;
  • Stage 2: Interview Assessment; and
  • Stage 3: Written Examination

• Once you have passed IDLE, you can now register as a full-fledged professional interior designer with LAM.

Scenario 2: Unrecognised Qualification

However, if you graduated with a Degree that is NOT from the recognised list of courses by LAM or if your highest qualification is a Diploma in Interior Design, you are required to sit for the Interior Design Qualifying Assessment (IDQA) conducted by LAM.

You will not be recognised as a Graduate Interior Designer until you have passed the IDQA through the following stages:

• Stage 1: Review of your academic qualifications and the content of the course you graduated from. If satisfactory you will proceed to Stage 2.

• Stage 2: Your coursework portfolio will be reviewed along with an interview session. If this is satisfactory, only then will you be recognised as a Graduate Interior Designer and you may sit for the IDLE examination.

• Stage 3: If you fail Stage 2, you then have to sit through Stage 3 which is a project assessment called the Interior Design Integrated Design Project (ID-IDP).

You can refer to the flowchart below taken from LAM for a visual understanding of the process:

6. What You Learn In An Interior Design Course

Most Interior Design and Interior Architecture Courses are similar in terms of the syllabus. Nevertheless, get expert advice from Uni Enrol to be sure! These are the general subjects you will learn but may vary slightly from one university to another.

• 2D & 3D Design
• Anatomy of Space
• Building By-Law
• Building Materials and Technology
• Building Science and Services
• Business and Enterprise for Design
• Colour Studies
• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• Constructing Prototypes
• Construction Legislation
• Critical and Cultural Studies
• Design Communication
• Design Development
• Developing Practice in Interior Design
• Digital Skills
• Drawing for Design
• Exploring Practice in Interior Design
• Fundamental Photography
• Furniture Design
• Histories, Theories and Matters of Concern
• Ideation and Concept
• Interior Application & Investigation
• Interior Structure and Construction
• Introducing Materiality
• Law for the Creative Industries
• Lighting Design
• Materials & Finishes
• Portfolio Preparation
• Professional Design Practice
• Repurposing and Adaptive Re-Use
• Space, Detail, Atmosphere
• Sustainable and Green Design
• Technology and Environment: Exploration
• Technology And Material
• Visual Culture
• Working Drawing and Documentation

7. Why Should I Study Interior Design?

Innovations are happening beneath the surface, whether it is technology advances to aid designs or new construction materials invented. The Interior Design industry is exciting and here are reasons you should consider:

• Demand for Affordable Housing/Commercial Interior – Clients will always be cost conscious and the designer who can deliver what the client wants at affordable renovation and construction costs, will do well in this space.

• Rise of Middle to Upper-Middle Income Families – Developing countries, especially in the Southeast Asia region have seen a rise in GDP per-capita and consumer tastes are evolving, leading to higher demand in better quality home environments.

• Technology Innovation Adds Value to Designers and Clients – Interior Design has never been easier and competitive at the same time. Artificial Intelligence aided applications have made designing work vastly easier, which allows designers more time to nurture their creativity. Continuous material advancements also make certain design and costing more effective as an offering to clients.

• Flexibility as Freelance or Start Your Own Agency – Interior Design is one of those professions that can be performed remotely, which presents opportunities to be your own boss. You can build your reputation online and be discovered by clients globally. 

8. RIASEC Compatibility To An Interior Design Course

The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:

• Realistic (R)
• Investigative (I)
• Artistic (A)
• Social (S)
• Enterprising (E)
• Conventional (C)

With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.

To excel as an Interior Designer, certain personality traits are particularly advantageous according to the RIASEC model. Here are the 3 most relevant traits:

ARTISTIC

• Interior designers must possess a strong artistic inclination. This trait encompasses creativity, originality, and a preference for self-expression through various forms of spatial design and functionality.

CONVENTIONAL

• Conventional traits lean towards the need for structure and attention to detail. While creativity is an indispensable trait, a high sense of meticulousness and adherence to the rules is equally vital as you need to pay attention to the client’s needs and also comply with construction practicality and construction laws.

ENTERPRISING

• Interior Designers regularly need to convince their clients on design proposals, collaborate with contractors/vendors and lead their own teams. Persuasiveness, leadership and confidence are Enterprising traits that boost your success.

9. Career Opportunities For Interior Design

There are various specialisations you can consider as an Interior Designer. Here are possible career paths for you:

Areas of Opportunity	Types of Roles
Residential Interior Design	Residential Interior Designer, Kitchen and Bath Designer, Home Stager
Commercial Interior Design	Commercial Designer, Workspace Designer, Retail Designer, Hospitality Designer
Specialised Interior Design	Healthcare Designer, Exhibition Designer, Set Designer
Sustainable Design	Sustainable Interior Designer, LEED Consultant (sustainable building standards and certifications)
Furniture and Product Design	Furniture Designer, Lighting Designer, Product Designer
Project Management & Consulting	Interior Project Manager, Design Consultant, Procurement Specialist
Education & Research	Interior Design Instructor, Design Researcher
Freelancing & Entrepreneurship	Freelance Interior Designer, Design Studio Owner

Recommended Course Guides

Looking for other related courses? Here are various design-related course guides you should check out:

• Animation Course In Malaysia

• Multimedia Design Course In Malaysia

• Fashion Design Course In Malaysia

• Game Design & Game Development Course In Malaysia

• Graphic Design Course In Malaysia

If you’re still not sure what to study, we have many other Course Guides that will provide more light on the subject matter. Share with your friends!

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About the Author:

Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.