Different Makes a Difference
Siba has a rich history of helping students launch their careers through our unique approach to learning. Since 1947, Siba has been dedicated to providing students with the skills and education they need to make a real-world impact.
Succeeding in your career requires more than raw talent, that’s why Siba’s instructors focus on teaching teamwork, communication skills and problem solving as part of their core curriculum.
Where the art of business meets the business of arts, Siba offers programs in business administration, fashion development & merchandising, interior design and real estate. At Siba, we provide you the education and support that will get you to work in the field you want.
From Construction to Creation: What a 2-Year Interior Design Program Can Do
Marcus spent ten years doing project management for a St. Louis general contractor. He was good at his job. But on every project, he kept gravitating toward the design side. He finally decided to do something about it.
He enrolled in SIBA's 2-year Interior Design program. Evening classes fit around his work schedule. When he graduated with his Associate of Applied Science degree, he also had a portfolio that showed what he could do.
Within a year, he was working as a junior designer at an architectural firm — doing exactly what he'd always wanted.
Interior design draws a lot of career changers. The skills you build — space planning, CAD, color theory, materials selection — are practical and specific. Employers in St. Louis and beyond want people who can walk in ready to work.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Interior Design
Have you ever walked into a room and mentally rearranged the furniture, or pictured the space with completely different decor? Whether you already possess a talent for design or just the desire to work in an artistic field, Siba offers a broad range of courses in both residential and commercial design that can teach you the skills you need to excel. Our graduates have started their own businesses and secured positions with architectural firms, interior design firms, general contractors, furniture & cabinet manufacturers, art galleries, lighting companies, and historic preservation groups. Siba offers an 18-month Associate of Applied Science degree, as well as a 36-month Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design.
Courses Include:
- Design Practice
- Architectural Graphics
- History of Architecture & Design
- Residential Design
- Commercial Design
- Color Theory & Lighting Design
- Materials & Resources of Interior Design
- Textiles
- Space Planning
- Interior Renovation
- Window Treatment Design
- Furniture Marketing
- CAD
- Kitchen and Bath Design
- Healthcare Facilities
- Environmental Design
- Workplace Design
- Presentation Techniques
- Portfolio Design
The Siba Difference
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated pace for full-time students — 18-month occupational associate degrees and 36-month bachelor degrees.
Lifetime Job Assistance
Graduate from one of Siba’s programs and go with the confidence of knowing that if you ever find yourself out of work, we’ll provide you with lifetime assistance in finding your next job.
Try Siba for 30-Days
We stand behind our education. That’s why we created the Siba Commitment, a 30-day free trial that enables students to get a first-hand look at a Siba program, without any tuition charges if you change your mind.
An Incredible Value
At Siba, we keep costs down and provide a better value — delivering a challenging, educational experience with the latest equipment while holding the line on increasing fees and tuition.
Small Class Sizes
With an average class size of just nine people and unmatched individual attention, you’ll be learning in small setting, which makes a big difference.
Flexible Schedules
We work with you to make sure your life doesn’t get in the way of achieving your goals. We offer flexible class schedules so you can get a real education while still having a real life.
What Our Graduates Are Saying
“I was pleasantly surprised how small & intimate our classes were. It allowed the instructors to focus more easily on students with difficulties.”
Tara Heth
Interior Design Alumna
"Thanks to my experience here, I am very confident in my skills as a designer and systems planner in my job. In the classroom, I was surrounded by talented students and encouraged by experienced instructors to do and be my best."
Ardra Bradley
Cliq Studios Designer
"Without all the support and knowledge I've gained from attending Siba, I wouldn't be where I am today. My instructors helped me network and get an intern position, which turned into my current full-time job as a designer. I couldn't ask for a better education and post-college position!"
Kayley Wallick
Aminis Designer
Student Projects
Click to view projects.
Employers Who Hire Siba Graduates
Siba graduates have taken their education to the real world at a variety of leading companies.
Career Opportunities in Interior Design
Interior designers work in many settings: homes, offices, hotels, hospitals, schools, and government buildings. You could start your own business, join an architectural firm, work for design firms, contractors, furniture makers, art galleries, lighting companies, or preservation groups.
You'll learn space planning, color theory, materials selection, CAD software, and building codes. You'll understand design practice and how to create spaces that look beautiful and work perfectly.
Real-world learning happens here. Every year, students visit NeoCon in Chicago, the biggest commercial design show in North America. You'll see 500+ exhibitors like Holly Hunt, Kohler, and Herman Miller. You'll explore new VR design tools and tour Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.
What Interior Designers Earn
Interior design is a skilled profession, and the pay reflects it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for interior designers was $63,490 in May 2024 — well above the national median of $49,500 for all workers. The top 10% of interior designers earned more than $106,090.
SIBA graduates go on to work at interior design firms, architectural firms, furniture showrooms, general contractors, and lighting companies. Many start their own design businesses.
The BLS projects steady demand for interior designers through 2034, with thousands of job openings each year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, bls.gov
St. Louis employers hire our graduates: ArcVision, KDR Design, Interior Investments, HOK, and Marcia Moore Designs. One graduate works at Cliq Studios. Another found her career at Aminis through a Siba internship.
Our campus is in the historic Garment District at 1521 Washington Avenue in St. Louis. You'll learn from instructors with 28+ years of industry experience.
interior design news!
Siba | 75 Years | Alumni Stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Siba | 75 Years | Alumni Stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Siba | 75 Years | Alumni Stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Siba | 75 years | Alumni stories
By Cindy Musterman | | Business Administration, Fashion Development & Merchandising, Interior Design, Post
Materials & Resources: Smart & Functional Interior Spaces
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Interior Design
Shaping Experiences in Commercial Design
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Interior Design
Creativity in Residential Design
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Interior Design
Foundations of Architecture and Design
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Interior Design
Design Practice For Aspiring Interior Designers
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Interior Design
The Art of Window Treatment Design
By Siba | | Academic Programs at Siba, Interior Design
