"What's the difference between an architect and interior designer?"

An architect undergoes a rigorous education, which includes higher mathematics and drafting. Additionally, most undergo internships before going out into the world. They must possess an understanding of a buildings basic structures but also comprehend how that structure interacts with its environment. a thorough working knowledge of both city and state building codes is required to get permits and other critical documents completed. Most importantly an architect is responsible for the integrity and soundness of the buildings.

An interior designer can attend years of design schooling and receive certification from the industry. a good interior designer can take an absolutely hopeless place and turn it into something charming and comfortable. Though they can suggest structural changes to walls, windows and additions, they can't do the architectural plans to get it approved by their local bureaus.

In the main they work with fabrics, furnishings floorings paint, wall coverings, art and objet d'arts. So while interior designers don't perform a critical role in safety or integrity, they often work hand in hand with the clients architect to ensure a smooth and even flow of information. Both have a critical place in industrial and home design.

An interior designer will help you with the paint colors, drapes, flooring, different lighting techniques...very often the best placement of appliaces for the most efficient function of the kitchen.  They would be most helpful in decorating and creating a certain atmosphere for living...from the most sophisitcated ultra modern...to cozy, country casual.  From an open air feeling of a beach house...to a cuddly cabin in the woods atmosphere.  Getting colors to blend and flow from one room to the next.  Setting the stage for your particular life style.

The architects job is to design a house, the engineering, laying out the exterior and interior walls...with dimentions and plans the construction crew can follow to build the house.  They also design office buildings, malls, apartment complexes...as well as residential homes.  For a standard house plan, there are many house plans available...but for a custom home, you would need an architect to put your dreams on paper and make it buildable and in compliance with the building codes in your area.

An architect is a person who is involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a building's construction (be it a corporate building, a housing development, etc.).

Architects design houses and buildings. They plan offices and apartments. They design everything from schools, churches to airport terminals. Their plans involve far more than what the building's exterior. Buildings must be safe and strong. They must also suit the needs of the people who use them. Architects look at all these things.

The architect and client first discuss what the client wants. The architect sometimes helps decide if a project would work at all or if it would harm the environment. The architect then creates drawings for the client to review. They may be involved in all stages of the construction of a building.

If the ideas are OK, the architect draws up the final plans. These plans show how the building will look and how to build it. The drawings show the beams that hold up the building. They show the air-conditioner, furnace, and ventilating systems. The drawings show how the electricity and plumbing work.

An interior designer is involved in the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment.  Interior design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to traditional decoration.

Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and produces graphic communication and construction documents.

Below is a website just dedicated to "interior design."

http://www.asid.org/find/About+Interior+Design.htm

A Day in the Life of an interior designer An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionality of a client’s space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or residential. Interior designers work closely with architects and clients to determine the structure of a space, the needs of the occupants, and the style that best suits both. The position is a combination of engineer and artist, and it takes a unique type of mind to handle both of those concepts well. Interior designers have to be good with more than color, fabric, and furniture; interior designers must know materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee the ordering, installation, and maintenance of all objects that define a space. They also have to know about electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from interior decorators. Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors and clients alike, planning and implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles to miles of carpeting —and all this usually must be done within a fixed budget. Interior designers are hired for their expertise in a variety of styles and approaches, not merely their own personal vision. Therefore, they have to be able to balance their own tastes and their clients’ tastes—and be willing to put their clients’ tastes first. This requirement can be frustrating at first for many who enter the profession. Interior designers are often asked to begin their planning before construction of a space is finished; this means that they must be good at scheduling and comfortable reading blueprints. This element of the job comes as a surprise to many new interior designers, who expect to have less of an administrative and technical role and more of a role in influencing the overall feel and appearance of a space. Those who thrive in the industry say this ability to balance the practical with the aesthetic is crucial to being a successful interior designer. Interior design is hard work, but those who do it well find the work very satisfying.

Hope this helps

I personally would go with Interior Designer!  But it really depends on your mindset and brain.  Actually, I could probably never be an architect--that's a profession that requires very straight lines, very good measurements, very good planning, and an understanding and knowledge of building. None of which I have! 

But I could be an interior designer, if I wanted to.  That to me is the more creative job of the two, although I know it does require alot of creativity to actually design a house! But I prefer the interior design things better.

And interior designer creates the look of the inside of a home--from the wall colors to the furniture to the assessories, including the actual placement and layout of all items.  Fun, fun, fun! Shopping, making decisions, trying to select things that reflect the owners personality and within a certain budget are all part of the job.  Being aware of styles, product availability, color trends, etc. are all part of an interior designers job.   

An architect is the one who draws the plans and creates the designs for the house or building itself, and oversees it's construction.  Very specialized training is needed for this, as you must know building codes, plus must be aware of the various building methods which can be used.  The median salary for an architect in the US is $62,960 .

An architect designs houses, buildings, parks, etc. An interior designer designs/decorates the inside of homes, buildings, etc. I don't know any simpler way to put it.