Designers often specialize in a particular area, such as green spaces, home design or corporate workspaces. Anyone considering interior design as a profession will have numerous questions, including: Is a degree in design necessary to break in? Will I have to work for an agency or can I strike out on my own? Should I specialize in a specific area of design?
Becoming a professional interior designer takes more than creativity. A successful career also requires formal education and training, discipline, determination and strong business and marketing skills. Each level of an academic degree opens new and different doors to aspiring designers and this guide provides aspiring interior designers with pertinent information. With Lantern's Career Quiz, you can be matched to career options that align with your personal characteristics.
Take the free Career Quiz. Like other industries, experience, geographical factors and the type of interior design being completed also influence annual salaries. Interior designers in the architecture and engineering industry have the highest median wage. Those considering interior design as a career can take heart knowing the industry is robust, with projections of 13 percent growth between and Those specializing in environmental design will be on the forefront of this growth, with interest in sustainability expected to lead the charge towards further developing the field.
Another important area will be accessibility design, a field emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that can be easily navigated. Curious about growth in your state for this career? Select a state below for more information about employment and job growth for interior designers. Those in the field must possess creativity, technical proficiency, and business acumen to be truly successful.
Thankfully, myriad interior design programs exist and instill these skills at every degree level. Interior design programs are offered at the associate to doctoral level and professional certificates are also available for continuing education. Many degree programs provide an array of concentrations, allowing students to hone their skills on a specific area, such as kitchen design or environmentally sustainable materials.
The chart below can help potential students understand which degree best matches their career goals. Whether the applicant desires to work as an assistant designer or serve as a postsecondary faculty member, interior design schools have programs to meet these needs. The following section reviews the different types of degrees and what students can hope to gain from each.
These degrees can open many doors for burgeoning interior designers. Reflecting students' diverse short-term goals, schools may offer three different paths. For example, an Associate of Applied Science is intended for those looking to move directly into the professional world as an assistant.
The Associate of Arts, on the other hand, is well suited for those seeking to continue their education in interior design. Meanwhile, the Associate of Science is suited for those intending to move toward further education in architecture or industrial design. In the first year of associate degree programs, students generally learn the fundamentals of design and basic skills in hand drawing and digital drafting.
The second year tackles more specialized topics such as architectural lighting, color theory, and furniture history in addition to introductory business and marketing concepts. Some of the more common courses associate degree students may expect are listed below, along with the job-related skills and knowledge they could pick up in each.
Looks at designs of the last two centuries, highlighting the emergence of specific design theory and stylistic elements. Traces modernization of style back to origins. Provides overview of how specific purpose-built spaces have evolved over time. Could include studies on corporate spaces, museums, hotels, or government buildings.
Reviews cultural, social, and psychological implications of color use, and the effects of color, including productivity and tranquility. Examines varied theories, optical illusions, the Bezold Effect, and contrasts. Examines various drawing techniques and how to translate an idea into a reality by hand or using digital drawing practices and tools.
For those with an associate degree, the program builds on the skills gained at that level. Students are immersed in topics such as drafting, design, 3D imaging, and space planning while delving into practical skills such as project management, marketing, sales, and business development.
Graduates of a four-year degree program can apply for entry-level roles at design firms. Creating connections also extends to building up your own services.
Look to proactively build an extensive network of suppliers and partners who can satisfy different project requirements and help you offer a wider scope of services. Suppliers are a great source of referral business too, so always be nice to those you meet on the way up! Is your town or city going through a regeneration phase where all the older buildings are being snapped up and renovated for apartments? You may be surrounded by ultra-modernist developments or eco-projects.
Understanding the small, local market as well as the bigger global view will make sure that your services remain in demand. Interior design is closely linked to the level of construction and development of housing, retail, hotels and restaurants.
Understanding the stability or growth of specific industry sectors and geographic regions in both the short and long term can guide you on what route to follow.
Doing this can be an immense learning curve, but it can make a real difference to the planet, to others involved in the design process, and to those that will use the spaces you design. Reading interior design magazines and digests, whether online or printed, can also help you stay up to date with key interior design trends. We suggest you start with these:.
When it comes to design evolution, the world of interior design overlaps greatly with other creative industries. Take a look at fashion, art, music, and movies. So in other words: you need to understand how the interior design industry fits into the bigger picture. Interior designers work alongside architects, engineers, construction teams, lighting designers, textile designers, and brand and graphic designers.
This broader awareness will inform your designs, guide you on what clients are looking for and help you anticipate new directions and trends. Do you have a knack for quirky, Wes Anderson-style design schemes or a love of Scandi-chic minimalism? You may want to leverage your natural passions and position yourself as an expert in a particular style such as Victorian renovations or biophilic commercial projects.
Or perhaps you want to specialise in design for retail, hospitality or heritage spaces? Look for areas that are in demand such as coffee shop spaces, spa and wellbeing centres or listed buildings. You should also think about your work environment — do you want to work in a design or architecture practice, be an in-house designer for a large retail store, or work independently?
The scope of projects is also up to you — you can design for anywhere from tiny homes to palatial mansions, a home-study to corporate offices, playrooms at home to large schools… the possibilities are endless. This can be in the type of services you offer, or how you work and charge your fees. For example, there are interior designers who will agree to only provide concepts to their clients and leave the execution up to them, keeping costs low and widening their customer base.
This can be especially beneficial to corporate clients where lots of different stakeholders get to have a say. Depending on your positioning and the clients you want to work with, create a brand personality that aligns with this.
What People See: Consider your logo design, brand colours and graphics, website, and the type of content you share on social media. This is the first thing that people will see. What People Read: Determine what it is that sets you apart from your competition and make that the basis of your promotions. Make sure your social media profiles are representative of your style and not just pictures of your dinner or dog!
There may be a lot of value and credibility that comes with word-of-mouth, but you can speed up the process of getting your name out there with some good old-fashioned self-promotion. Get on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook and share examples of your work. Create Pinterest boards to show off your design vision. Again, think about how to do things differently and stand out from the crowd.
Create articles on LinkedIn that discuss a popular topic or get in touch with industry magazines to feature your designs or write editorials about trending topics. Be available for interviews and comment requests try registering as an expert on sites like HARO or contribute content through an expert column. If you want to become an Interior Designer, entering competitions is another good way of gaining credibility in the industry.
Scour the internet for interior design competitions, awards and bursaries for special projects and then shout about it from the rooftops the moment you get even shortlisted. We know you have Pinterest and Instagram nailed, but are you up to speed with the industry digital tools? These tools can help you improve your work speed and accuracy, clearly communicate your concepts, and make them look more professional and attractive. Presenting your work in an industry-standard format will boost your credibility immediately with your potential employer or client and help you clearly communicate your ideas in a professional way.
These digital tools are just adding an extra boost — especially if hand-drawing is not your strong point. Spaces are designed for people to use, after all. This applies equally to commercial and retail spaces that have corporate guidelines and brand values to abide by. Developing an intuitive sense for what people would like is invaluable to your work, as is learning how to manage them and their expectations. Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Jo decided to travel the world in her twenties to gain experience and education from as many sources as possible.
She currently runs her architectural and interior design studio www. Jo is also trained as an Ashtanga yoga instructor, a life and business coach and is a passionate artist creating bespoke artwork for clients. Your email address will not be published.
Myths About Becoming An Interior Designer When I told my family that I wanted to study architecture, they said it would be too difficult and that I should consider something easier.
Quick Reference Guide. Jo Chrobak. About the author. Many schools offer four-year degrees in design, as well as two-year accreditations, but you can also study any topic and then supplement your degree with classes and certifications.
An interior designer works with clients to determine the best use of space based on aesthetic choice and structural integrity. Collaborate with Havenly to transform a blank canvas or redesign an entire room. Get design inspiration and custom solutions to spice up your space or refresh a room.
By Shelley Little February 9, 6 min read. Get home decor deals instantly! Q: What kind of degree do you need to become an interior designer? Q: Is interior designing a good career? A: Interior design can be a great career choice, if you follow certain steps, including gaining appropriate education and a solid portfolio.
Q: How many years of college does it take to become an interior designer? A: Many schools offer four-year degrees in design, as well as two-year accreditations, but you can also study any topic and then supplement your degree with classes and certifications. Q: What does an interior designer do?
A: An interior designer works with clients to determine the best use of space based on aesthetic choice and structural integrity. Related Articles Home Inspiration.
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