Designers create visuals for clients, and to share information with other members of the design team. You’ll need to know how to select the right visual for the right use at the right time.
The NCIDQ Interior Design Fundamentals Examination (IDFX)
The Interior Design Fundamentals Exam (IDFX) for 2021 tests your knowledge of:
- Programming and Site Analysis 10%
- Relationship between Human Behavior and the Designed Environment 10%
- Design Communication Techniques 10%
- Life Safety and Universal Design 20%
- Interior Building Finishes and Materials 10%
- Technical Specifications for Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment and Lighting 15%
- Construction Drawings, Schedules, and Specifications 20%
- Professional Development and Ethics 5%
Here are some examples of the types of topics covered per content area on the Interior Design Fundamentals Exam:
Success with Contract Documents on the NCIDQ Exam
Interior designers need to communicate their ideas to their client and construction crew. Your knowledge of construction documents is key to your success not only as a designer but also passing the NCIDQ Exam.
FF&E Specifications: The Tip of the Iceberg
FF&E is an extensive subject. Making the initial selections is just the tip of the iceberg. Selecting FF&E also involves a lot of technical and legal issues, such as flammability and code requirements.
Human Behavior and the Designed Environment
Interior design requires a deep knowledge of human behavior—physical, psychological, and cultural. The ability to understand and communicate with clients is very important. Designed spaces must support the individual lifestyle and functional needs of our clients.
What do I need to know about universal design for the NCIDQ Exam?
Universal Design is designing spaces and products so they can be used by everyone. It satisfies the needs of the disabled, able-bodied, the young and old while avoiding segregating any particular group of people.
Which Type of Lighting is Best on the NCIDQ Exam?
The key to understanding lighting for each section of the NCIDQ Exam — IDFX, IDPX, or Practicum — is to know the different lighting systems. Know why one type of lighting may be better than another for a specific purpose, one environment or for certain people using a space.
What’s Light Got To Do With It?
Did you know that orange light may help you concentrate? Or that bright light can make you crave spicier hot wings?
Lighting design isn’t just about aesthetics anymore; it’s affecting us in ways we may not have even realized…
Sustainability and Green Design on the NCIDQ Exam
We’ve all heard of green design as another term for sustainable design. Sustainable design seeks to meet the design requirements of a project while minimizing the environmental impact, while improving human health and well being. Sustainability is a component of both the IDFX and IDPX Exams.
What’s This About Programming and Site Analysis?
In interior design, programming is like detective work. It’s the process of gathering and analyzing information about a problem before trying to solve it with design.
Acoustic basics for interior design on the NCIDQ Exam
The science of acoustics deals with sound in the built environment. Interior designers need to understand and be able to apply these basics for the NCIDQ Exam, on all three NCIDQ Exams.
Ergonomics of Workstations and Their Place on the NCIDQ Exam
Why should designers taking the NCIDQ Exam be concerned with Ergonomics? Spending a long hours hunched over in your workstation can cause problems for you in the long run.
We’ve found some tips to make four workplace items help ease you into a better posture, greater comfort, and better productivity in the office.
Interior Designers do more than just pick out pretty furniture!
There is so much more to your job than making a space pretty!
The NCIDQ Exam is heavily weighted on the “paperwork” or non-design responsibilities of an interior designer. Learn the keys to success.
