Key Players in IDEP

NEW! Download the IDEP Guide for Supervisors and Mentors.

The program supports you, the entry-level interior designer, by giving you support from many viewpoints. The first key player in IDEP is you, the "participant." You are joined in this endeavor by the "supervisor," the "mentor," NCIDQ and in some instances by a U.S. regulatory board or Canadian provincial association.

Your Supervisor

Your supervisor is typically your direct supervisor at work. He or she must be willing to provide the day-to-day training and support you need to complete the program. Your supervisor must be at least ONE of the following:

• An NCIDQ Certificate holder,
• A licensed or registered interior designer, or
• An architect who offers interior design services.

Your IDEP supervisor supports your career by:

• Helping you assess your current skills and plan for comprehensive on-the-job training.
• Tracking your development through various work experience categories.
• Promoting your professional development outside the scope of a typical employee's everyday tasks.
• Supporting your commitment to becoming a licensed/registered professional.

Over the course of your participation in IDEP you may have more than one supervisor. You must notify NCIDQ of any change of employment and supervisor.

IDEP is not an employment service, so you will have to find your own job. It's a good idea to let prospective employers know that you are interested in participating in IDEP since they will have a role to play in your progress.

Your Mentor

Your mentor is an interior designer who can give you support and advice as you move through the program. Your mentor should be employed outside your firm or should have a non-supervisory relationship with you.

Your mentor must be at least ONE of the following:

• An NCIDQ Certificate holder or
• A licensed or registered interior designer.

Your IDEP mentor supports your career by:

• Giving you a "big picture" perspective on your progress through the program.
• Encouraging you to set goals for your job and career.
• Providing advice and support for the challenges you face on the job.

You must communicate with your mentor at least three times a year. Over the course of your participation in IDEP you may have more than one mentor. You must notify NCIDQ of any change of mentor.

NCIDQ does not maintain a list of potential mentors. If you don't already know interior designers whom you could ask to mentor you, local professional associations are the best place to start your search.

NCIDQ

NCIDQ is here to assist you before, during and after your participation in IDEP. NCIDQ is composed of a staff in Washington, DC and dozens of volunteers located across North America. If you have any questions or suggestions about the program, please e-mail them to us or call (202) 721-0220.

Your State Board or Provincial Association

There are many names for these entities, but in general a "regulatory board" is a legally constituted private or governmental organization that is charged with regulating the interior design profession and professionals within a jurisdiction. These boards may enact laws or regulations that require future licensed/registered professional interior designers to participate in IDEP before a license or registration will be granted. It is essential that you know the status of the laws in the state or province where you intend to practice.