The American Institute of Interior Designers has published a recommended course for designers and a percentage layout of such a course. An examination of some forty catalogs of schools offering courses in interior design, for the most part schools accredited by membership in the National Association of Schools of Art, and a further ``on the spot'' inspection of a number of schools, show their courses adhere pretty closely to the recommendations. One or two of the schools have a five year curriculum, but the usual pattern of American education has limited most of them to the four year plan which seems to be the minimum in acceptable institutions.

The suggested course of the A.I.D. was based on the usual course offered and on the opinion of many educators as to curricular necessities. Obviously, the four year provision limits this to fundamentals and much desirable material must be eliminated.

Without comparing the relative merits of the two courses -- architecture versus interior design -- let us examine the educational needs of the interior designer.

To begin with, what is an interior designer? ``The Dictionary of Occupational Titles'' published by the U. S. Department of Labor describes him as follows: ``Designs, plans and furnishes interiors of houses, commercial and institutional structures, hotels, clubs, ships, theaters, as well as set decorations for motion picture arts and television. Makes drawings and plans of rooms showing placement of furniture, floor coverings, wall decorations, and determines color schemes.