by 
Becoming an interior designer in South Dakota may give you the opportunity to receive a salary for your creativity.
Put your artistic talent to use.
If you have experience communicating professionally with clients, that will give you an edge in the industry.
Article Table of Contents
States Requirements for Interior Designers
The state of South Dakota may not require an interior designer to register or acquire a license.
However, they do have information for architects who perform some interior design duties.
Architects have stricter regulations because they must abide by building safety codes, but that is also information that most interior designers also learn while in school.
Although not mandatory by the State, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam enables people to operate as interior designers.
Obtaining this certification after completing 60 hours of coursework and about two years of full-time work experience will help you establish your credibility in the state.
Besides, most interior design associations now support legislation that requires them to officially register as a professional to legally protect them while performing their duties.
See also the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) information as you explore educational opportunities available in SD.
5 Interior Design Schools in South Dakota
You may want to double-check which of these schools has the CIDA accreditation.
If they do not, they might have an affiliated with other accreditations offered to established state universities and technical schools.
Interior Design Institute
One of the best options is the Interior Design Institute (IDI) in Sioux Falls.
This school offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in interior design, which can be completed in just two years.
IDI also offers certificate and diploma programs for students who want to specialize in a particular area of interior design, such as residential or commercial design.
Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls
Southeast Technical Institute has an Associate Architectural Engineering Technology degree program.
This may benefit you whether becoming an interior designer or an architect.
The curriculum covers colors, shading, texture, lighting, and other interior design essentials.
You could also take either the residential or commercial construction certificate courses.
The Art Institute
The Art Institutes system used to have a physical presence in South Dakota.
However, it operates primarily online now and in seven other locations not in SD.
AI offers a variety of degree options in interior design and related artistic disciplines.
Some AI students might concentrate on specific areas, such as kitchen and bath planning.
Training received here could prepare students for both residential and commercial design.
They also will have the chance to acquire real-world experiences while in school.
National American University
The NAU six-week or three-month certificate course provides an introduction to Interior Design.
It covers design history and trends, materials and color concepts, fabrics, and environmental issues.
This course could benefit you if you decide to work as an assistant before you continue your interior design training.
South Dakota State University
Apparently, word has it that the South Dakota State University’s campus beauty provides plenty of inspiration for creative work.
This college offers a BFA in Interior design.
The curriculum includes classes in color concepts and theories, spatial arranging, and furniture design or lighting display.
Students also have chances to participate in internships and study abroad programs and work on real-life commercial or residential projects.
Interior Design Schools in South Dakota – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Interior Design Institute | 75 Broadway #202, San Francisco, CA 94111 |
| Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls | 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107 |
| The Art Institute | 1501 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33132-1418 |
| National American University | 3800 Fairway Hills Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702 |
| South Dakota State University | 1451 Stadium Rd, Brookings, SD 57007 |
Salary
South Dakota residents may make about $43,780 per year in Sioux Falls.
This may happen after about a couple of years of on-the-job experience and the achievement of the NCIDQ certification.
Other cities to look for jobs include Hot Springs, Rapid City, Highmore, and Aberdeen.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $43,780 |
| Rapid City | $42,327 |
| Aberdeen | $39,747 |
| Watertown | $43,048 |
| Brookings | $43,048 |
| Mitchell | $43,048 |
| Pierre | $40,478 |
| Yankton | $42,058 |
| Huron | $41,398 |
| Vermillion | $41,068 |
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | 100 | $75,770 | $36.43 | $124,990 | $43,340 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know an interior training program is legit?
Make sure you check them out in the CIDA database or ask a fellow SD association member.
Besides CIDA and NCIDQ, recommended associations include the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Interior Design Society (ADS), International Interior Design Association, and others listed here.
Do I need formal training in order to become an interior designer?
You do not need a degree to become an interior designer as long as the training you do enroll in meets the NCIDQ standards.
Keep in mind it also has to provide the curriculum that has the answers you would expect to see on the certification exam.
You can start out as an Entry Level Designer (ELD).
Then, you can move up to a Certified Interior Designer (CID) or Master Certified Interior Designer (MCID).
Here are more details about the training requirements before taking your entry-level exam and moving onward.
Do interior designers do the same work as architects?
Interior designers and architects may have some of the same training, such as computerized drafting and blueprinting.
The architect usually has more authority in signing off on a design.
However, interior designers have authority over the decorators and may assist with construction management.
What types of projects will I work on as an interior designer?
As an interior designer, you can expect to work on a variety of projects ranging from residential homes to corporate offices.
Some common project types include color consultations, furniture selection/placement, space planning, lighting design, and window treatment recommendations.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State