Corporate Interior Design

Corporate Interior Designer Overview

Corporate Interior Designer Training and Education

The majority of corporate interior design positions require a bachelor’s degree or specialized 2 to 4 year certification from an art school. It is recommended that students interested in corporate interior design attend a program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, where they will take courses in drawing, spatial planning, perspective, computer-aided design (CAD), fabrics, furniture design, architecture, ergonomics, ethics, and psychology.

Some states require corporate interior designers to hold a license. Generally, after completing a degree or certification, aspiring corporate interior designers complete a 1 to 3 year apprenticeship in order to learn the hands on skills that will allow them to complete the licensing exam. The National Council of Interior Design can often help aspiring interior designers find apprenticeships and gain work experience.

Corporate Interior Design Career and Salary Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in corporate interior design is expected to grow at a rate faster than average in the next decade, with the fields of ergonomics and green design growing especially fast. The median annual income for interior designers of all types in 2006 was $42,260, though salary can vary greatly depending on specialty, experience, and reputation. About 26% of corporate interior designers are self employed, while others work for firms or for corporations.

Characteristics of a Successful Corporate Interior Designer

Successful corporate interior designers are creative, have advanced artistic ability, an eye for perspective and visual spatial concepts, and familiarity with computer aided drawing. Due to the fact that they work with all types of individuals within corporations, they should be able to communicate their design ideas visually, verbally, and in writing. They must maintain knowledge of the latest design trends and be ready to imaginatively embrace the cutting edge.

Increasingly, corporate interior designers are finding that employers and clients prefer them to belong to a professional association, such as the American Society of Interior Designers. Corporate interior designers can gain membership to this association with a degree and several years of work experience.

Corporate Interior Designer Career Fields & Specializations

Architectural Designers: Instead of dealing with decoration, these corporate interior designers help corporations create architectural spaces conducive to a healthy and productive work environment. They deal with architectural elements of a space, such as layout, lighting, windows, doors, and open space.

Healthcare Interior Designer: Healthcare interior designers specialize in designing hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other medical care facilities. They are experts at taking patient comfort and mental well being, health issues, and medical machinery into account when designing healthcare spaces.

Design Firm Owner/Supervisor: These corporate interior designers have advanced into upper management or own their own firms. Often, these designers are no longer hands on designers, and need business sense and people skills to attract and maintain corporate clients.

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