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You Want to be an Interior Designer? – Here’s What You Need to Know

May 13, 2014 | Students

Interior Designers plan, design, detail and supervise the construction of commercial, industrial, retail and residential building interiors to produce an environment tailored to a purpose, with particular emphasis on space creation, space planning, and factors that enhance living and working environments. An interior designer enhances the function, safety and aesthetics of interior spaces while taking into account how different colors, textures, furniture, lighting and space work together to meet occupants’ or visitors’ needs. He or she works with both private and public spaces including residences, shopping malls, schools, offices and hospitals.

 

What kind of training or education do I need to be an interior designer?Student Caring

To become an interior designer, you first need to have an interest in physical spaces, be perceptive about your surroundings and have a creative bent of mind. If you think you have any of the above attributes, interior design could very well be your vocation. A course in interior design takes two to four years and is available from professional design schools or colleges and universities. You could either earn an associate degree or certificate by attending a two to three year program, or a bachelor’s degree by attending a four year program. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree, it is advisable to take up a one to three year apprenticeship program at a design or architecture firm and work under the supervision of an experienced interior designer. A graduate with a certificate or associate degree would usually start his or her career as an assistant to an interior designer.

 

What are my career prospects like after I complete my education?

Upon completion of your course, you will be mandated to take up a one to three years apprenticeship with an interior design or architecture firm. This form of on-the-job training allows interior designers to advance to supervisory positions including chief designer or design department head. These positions are usually available in larger firms. Some experienced interior designers specialize in one aspect of design or open their own design firms. Interior design is one of the few professions that encourages you to strike out on your own, with the promise of working as an independent consultant at a better than average pay packet, in your own practice.

 

What is the pay scale I can expect as an interior designer?

While the pay scale varies according to talent, ability and experience, in 2009 interior designers in the United States earned a median annual salary of $46,180. Mind you this was at the height of the recession in the world economy at that point in time. The pay scales for interior designers have definitely gotten better ever since.

 

As an interior designer what are the allied skills I need to hone?

As an interior designer, you need to have a pleasant personality, be able to accommodate the needs of the client, be patient and understand their point of view. You need to be able to make them see your vision for their space and at the same time, sell them that vision as one that is best for them. You should also be open to criticism, and take negative feedback in your stride, remembering that aesthetics are highly subjective and what is beautiful to you, may not necessarily be the same to your client.

 

What’s a typical day in the life of an interior designer?

On any design project the interior designer can expect the following:

  • Meeting the clients and understanding the design brief
  • Ensuring that the design brief is decoded right and translated into a design on CAD
  • Getting the clients feedback on the floor plan
  • Incorporating that feedback into the design
  • Hiring contractors and labour to execute the project
  • Setting a timeline for a project
  • Supervising the completion of the project

 

Being an interior designer is not merely about having a great idea for a space and executing it, it is also about managing expectations, coordinating between the clients and contractor and most importantly delivering the design solution in a timely fashion. It is also one of the few professions that actually encourages you to go out and practise independently or consult, therefore making you, your own boss.

 

Jack Mandelbaum is a career counselor who specialises in creative professions. He consults both privately and at a number of schools and colleges.

 

 

 

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On behalf of the Student Caring International Community, THANK YOU JACK  for your guest contribution: You Want to be an Interior Designer? – Here’s What You Need to Know   

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