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Have you ever been so intrigued by the interior aesthetic of your favourite cafe? Have you been itching to have your very own space that screams ‘you’? Well, interior design is the art of working with spaces.
Read on to dive into how, where, and why you can study interior design in Malaysia.
What is Interior Design?
Interior design is defined as the professional and comprehensive practice of creating an interior environment. This field addresses, protects and responds to human needs. It essentially acts as a solution with the help of process and strategy to make informed decisions about style and aesthetics of a living space.
Why Should You Study Interior Design In Malaysia?
You get to showcase your creativity
As an interior designer, you will be part of many projects that will take your creativity, technical skills, patience and commitment to the next level – making your job constantly fun and interesting! Every project is your opportunity to showcase your creativity to the next client and this applies even during your student days.
There’s a growing demand
Choosing an interior designing course will open the door to tremendous career opportunities. You will get to work on residential properties, offices, restaurants, public spaces, libraries and even museums!
Your skills are transferable
Despite its heavy focus on nurturing creativity, you will also spend a lot of your time working alongside other people. Here, you can gain huge exposure to different skills and knowledge that can be crucial in your personal and professional development.
Therefore, when you study interior design in Malaysia, you will learn to be more detail-oriented, work around living spaces and convey ideas.
What are the Fields in Interior Design?
Interior design is a broad field which gives you the opportunity to specialise in any area. During your learning journey, you can choose your specialisation based on your interest, natural talent and knowledge.
Here are some of the specialisations you can consider when you study interior in Malaysia:
Commercial
Planning interior spaces to enhance the function of the space while reflecting the unique needs of the business.
Commercial spaces include offices, schools, restaurants, airports and more.
Residential
Planning and designing houses, apartments, multi-family units and living spaces to enhance the owner’s quality of life.
Hospitality
Planning and designing a space to enhance comfort and function for guests visiting the hotel/resort.
Retail and Store Planning
Designing attractive, functional spaces that encourages shoppers to shop in the store comfortably and efficiently.
Sustainable Design
Designing and constructing sustainable design solutions for interior spaces in increasing the efficiency and longevity of those structures.
What Are Popular Pathways To Study Interior Design In Malaysia?
Upon completion of SPM or equivalent qualification, students can opt for a Pre-University course like Foundation in Arts, A-Level, or SACE, as a starting line to their dream.
Alternatively, you also have the choice to enrol on a Diploma in Interior Design course after SPM/O-Level. After 2 to 2.5 years of studying, students will be qualified to enter the workforce after completing their diplomas.
However, do keep in mind that building a portfolio on your past work/experience is also just as important as your education. A strong portfolio will give you an upper hand in securing a job in this field.
So what does your pathway look like when you want to study interior design in Malaysia?
Check this our too: Must Knows Before Choosing A Pre-U, Diploma or Degree
Diploma in Interior Design
To study interior design in Malaysia, you will begin with a pre-university course. This course can take up to 2 to 2.5 years to complete and cost up to RM20,000.
Moreover, you only need to achieve 3 credits in SPM/O-Level to enter an interior design diploma. Then, you can enter the workforce immediately with that qualification.
Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design
Once you’ve completed your pre-university course, you can move on to a degree course. A degree in interior design takes up to 3.5 years to complete, and the cost starts from RM 60,000 onwards.
To qualify for a degree programme, you will need to have 5 credits in your SPM/O-Level qualification, including English and a pass in Art subject, and one of the following pre-university credits:
- STPM: min. 2Cs
- A-Level: min. 2Es
- AUSMAT/SACE: min. ATAR 55
- CIMP: min. average of 55%
- Relevant Foundation: min. CGPA of 2.00
- Relevant Diploma: min. CGPA of 2.00
Diploma students who want to continue their studies can do so with this path, where they begin their studies in Year 2. However, keep in mind that many universities also require an English Language test (IELTS, MUET or TOEFL) to enrol you into the programme. So, it helps to have a strong English proficiency before you study interior design in Malaysia.
What are the Skills Required in Interior Design
To succeed in a career in interior design, having the right combination of skills will ensure that you can advance in your career. When you study interior design in Malaysia, these are the few abilities you will cultivate.
Creativity: A creative mind is needed to create designs. This attribute will then translate to solve problems such as small spaces, unusual colour palettes and complicated renovations.
Attention to detail: Knowing what your clients want and being able to turn their ideas into reality requires a high level of attention to detail. As you progress in your studies, your mentors will push you to be mindful whenever you execute a creation.
Effective Communication: Effective communication is of utmost importance in becoming an interior designer. You will need to be an active listener in understanding the requirements of your projects and communicate your ideas and concepts to all stakeholders.
Top Universities to Study Interior Design in Malaysia
The One Academy
The One Academy is a well-known international art and design institution, dedicated to professional art and design education. More than 90% of its graduates are employed within 6 months, with average salary of RM 2,500 to RM 2,800 for Diploma holders.
Courses offered here for you to study interior design in Malaysia are:
- Foundation in Interior Architecture and Design
- Diploma in Interior Design
- BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design (3+0) University of Hertfordshire, UK
Taylor’s University
Taylor’s has also achieved Tier-5 in SETARA Ranking and 284th position in the QS World University Ranking (2023). It is known to value education excellence with its diverse study options, industry-leading staffs and well-equipped facilities to aid in learning.
Courses offered here for you to study interior design in Malaysia are:
- Diploma in Interior Design
Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA)
Founded in 1967, MIA has trained and produced thousands of creative professionals who have contributed their creative skills to various industries in this country. It provides 6 months industrial training in the final semesters to help students get ready for their career after graduation.
Courses offered here for you to study interior design in Malaysia are:
- Diploma in Interior Design
Things You Need to Know About Interior Design in Malaysia
Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding an interior design career in Malaysia:
You can enter the workforce with only a diploma
The minimum qualification for an interior designer job is a diploma or bachelor’s degree in design or interior design. The key is to prepare your portfolio before any interview, which start from your learning days.
In most situations, employers and clients pay will close attention to your past work experiences/projects more than your qualification! So, be sure to get as much exposure as you can to increase your chances of securing a job or project that you want.
You can freelance
If you wish to become an interior designer for any big organisation, you will work regular hours and generally be paid well. However, you may also opt to work as a freelancer and have a flexible schedule and travel often to meet your clients.
Popular Interior Design-Related Jobs
An interior design degree would qualify you to work not only as an interior designer. When you study interior design in Malaysia, there will also be many other career options available, such as exhibition designer, stylist, textile designer, furniture designer, visual merchandiser and so on.
Here are some career you can consider when you study interior design in Malaysia:
- Film/TV set designer
- 3D Visualiser
- Event and exhibitor designer
- Furniture designer
- Graphic designer
According to Payscale, an interior designer’s salary starts on average RM 34,168 a year. However, do keep in mind that the average salary earned by interior designers in Malaysia strongly varies depending on the employees, industry and your experience:
Interested in learning more about how you can study interior design in Malaysia and its future career prospect? Contact us now for more information, we’re here to assist!