MBA in Fashion Designing vs. MBA in Interior Designing: Which is the Right Course for You?

In this highly competitive world, choosing the right career pathway can be a daunting task. With numerous options available, the process of choosing the right career pathway has become even tougher. However, the rising urbanisation and the growth of e-commerce and the retail industry have led to the emergence of two popular course options viz., Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Fashion Designing and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Interior Designing.

Careers in interior design and fashion design involve creative expression that enhances aesthetics. Although these professions draw inspiration from common sources, such as social and cultural themes and lifestyles, these two careers are distinct from each other. Today, in this article, we will present you with the key differences between these two courses that will help you understand which one is the right option for you!

MBA in Fashion Designing vs. MBA in Interior Designing: An Overview

An MBA in Fashion Designing is a specialised post-graduate programme that combines management concepts with a focus on the fashion industry. The degree equips you with the knowledge and skills required to manage fashion businesses, market fashion products, and make strategic decisions within the fashion and apparel sectors.

On the other hand, an MBA in Interior Designing is a post-graduate programme that integrates business management principles with interior design expertise. The degree prepares you to lead interior design projects, manage design firms, and address the business aspects of the interior design industry.

MBA in Fashion Designing vs. MBA in Interior Designing: Course Duration and Eligibility

The course duration for an MBA in Fashion Designing is two years, comprising four semesters. To enrol into this MBA programme, you should have a minimum of 50% in your bachelor's degree. Although prior exposure to the fashion industry may be an added advantage, it is not mandatory. Besides this, you also need to pass the national or state-level entrance exams such as the CAT, XAT, MAT, and others. Alternatively, you can also apply for the entrance exams that are conducted by reputed universities and colleges across the country.

The course duration for an MBA in Interior Designing is two years, split across four semesters. The eligibility criteria for this degree programme is a minimum score of 50% in undergraduate in any stream. Although prior exposure to interior design or related fields may be an advantage, it is not mandatory. Moreover, you also need to pass national or state-level entrance examinations such as the CAT, SNAP, GMAT, and others. Alternatively, you can also apply for the entrance exams that are conducted by reputed universities and colleges across the country.

MBA in Fashion Designing vs. MBA in Interior Designing: Course Curriculum

An MBA in Fashion Designing covers topics such as fashion business strategies, while an MBA in Interior Designing covers topics such as interior design principles and architectural theory. Let us understand in depth each curriculum:

Core Concepts in MBA Fashion Designing

• Basic Product and Manufacturing related Knowledge
• Marketing Research and Consumer Behaviour
• Principles of Fashion Marketing, Merchandising, and Management
• Global Textiles and Apparel Product Market Characteristics
• Economic Analysis and Statistics
• Retail Management and Advanced Export Merchandising
• Information Technology
• Quantitative Techniques and Operations Research
• Minor Research Project
• Management Accounting
• Marketing Strategies and Brand Management
• Supply Chain Management and E-Business
• International Marketing and Customer Relationship Management
• Fashion Forecasting and Product Development
• Visual Merchandising
• Financial Management and International Finance
• Intellectual Property Rights

Core Concepts in MBA Interior Designing

• Management and Organisation Behaviour
• Human Resource Management
• Managerial Economics
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Management and Business Law
• Introduction to Design and Drawing Practical
• Computer-Aided Interior Design
• Entrepreneurship Development
• Total Quality Management
• Operation Research
• Service Marketing
• Customer Relationship Management
• Estimation and Costing in Interior Design
• Construction Materials Professional
• Practice in Construction Management
• Interior Space Planning

MBA in Fashion Designing vs. MBA in Interior Designing: Career Opportunities

The fields of fashion design and interior design incorporate different elements of creativity and possess distinct industry focus. The MBA programmes in the respective fields help you develop domain expertise and skills that can open the door to diverse career advancement opportunities in related industries. Let us explore some of the high-demand career prospects in each field:

Career Prospects in MBA Fashion Designing
As the global apparel industry is growing steadily, there is a huge demand for professionals who can manage the back-end administration of fashion companies and brands. After completing an MBA in Fashion Designing, you have a wide range of career opportunities in the fashion industry and related sectors. Come, let us explore some potential career paths:

• Fashion Brand Manager: As a Fashion Brand Manager, you will oversee the development, marketing, and management of fashion brands.
• Retail Manager: You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of fashion stores or outlets, such as managing the staff, inventory, and customer service to ensure a smooth shopping experience.
• Fashion Marketing Manager: As a Fashion Marketing Manager, you will develop and execute marketing strategies for fashion brands.
• Fashion Merchandiser: In this role, you will be responsible for selecting and purchasing fashion products for retail stores. You will also analyse market trends, manage inventory, and ensure products are in line with the brand's image.
• Fashion Event Planner: As a Fashion Event Planner, you will organise fashion shows, product launches, and other fashion-related events.

Career Prospects in MBA Interior Designing
As more people are moving to urban areas for their livelihood, there is a growing demand for interior designers to maximise the use of limited living spaces efficiently. This demand also calls for the need for professionals who can manage and run the show. There are some potential career paths that you can undertake after completing your MBA in Interior Design, such as:

• Interior Design Manager: As an Interior Design Manager, you will oversee design projects from concept to completion.
• Interior Design Consultant: You will be working independently or with design firms to provide expert advice and design solutions to clients.
• Corporate Interior Designer: As a Corporate Interior Designer, you will focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing workspaces.
• Project Manager: In this job role, you will oversee all aspects of design projects, such as budgeting, scheduling, and coordination with contractors and vendors.
• Retail Space Planner: As a Retail Space Planner, you will design store layouts and displays to optimise customer traffic and sales.

Way Forward

Choosing a career is a critical decision in this competitive world. An MBA in Fashion Designing and an MBA in Interior Designing offer exciting career opportunities for you if you have a passion for creativity and a knack for business acumen. An MBA in Fashion Designing focuses on imparting business principles, which can be applied to running a fashion-related business or fashion brand. Due to this exposure, you can explore careers such as fashion brand manager or retail manager. On the other hand, an MBA in Interior Designing optimises interior spaces for functionality and aesthetics, thereby helping you explore opportunities as an interior design manager or consultant. Now, that you have understood the distinct features of these two programmes, choose the path based on your career aspirations and interests!