Hotel Interior Design

Hotel Interior Designer Overview

Hotel interior designers have some of the most stressful and demanding careers in the design industry. They often appease demanding corporate clients, meet tough deadlines, and work non-stop during critical points in major projects. For those designers who thrive under such pressures, the benefits are endless. Not only are hotel interior designers constantly challenged to push the limits when designing massively-scaled hotel projects, but they are also rewarded with travel opportunities, high compensation, and the satisfaction of seeing their work presented on such a large scale.

Hotel Interior Designer Training & Education

Almost all hotel interior design positions require candidates to have a degree in design, either from a two or four year program. Anyone interested in a serious career as a hotel interior designer should be sure to choose a program that has been accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, which sets standards for design education and ensures that students are being taught the most up-to-date interior design practices.

In addition, a number of states have also begun instituting licensing requirements for practicing designers, which means that designers must pass an exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications-along with obtaining a degree from an accredited institution—before a person can legally call himself or herself an interior designer.

Most hotel interior designers also keep a portfolio of their work, either from professional projects or classroom assignments. This portfolio, along with a degree, proper licensing, and relevant work experience, are what employers are most often looking for when hiring hotel interior designers.

Hotel Interior Designer Career & Salary Outlook

Although earnings for interior designers vary greatly depending on the design specialty and years of experience, a survey commissioned by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the median annual earnings for interior designers at $40,670. The BLS does not keep figures for hotel interior designers in particular, but does note that salaries among those working in large, specialized design firms—which include firms specializing in hospitality and hotels—typically have the highest and most stable earnings among those in the design profession.

Demand for interior designers is strongly tied to the economy, however, projected increases in worldwide tourism are expected to greatly heighten the demand for skilled hotel and resort interior designers in the coming years, according to the BLS.

Characteristics of a Successful Hotel Interior Designer

Interior design is a fast paced, creative field, filled with tight deadlines and difficult clients. Although interior designers should be artistic and imaginative, they also need to be skilled at dealing with a variety of demanding personalities and work well under tight deadline pressures.

Those interior designers working in the hotel industry, in particular, should have a strong passion for learning about different countries and cultures, since many of the projects they will be commissioned to work on will likely require research into global design aesthetics. In addition, they should be prepared to travel frequently, as some hotel projects may require them to relocate temporarily during certain stages of the design process. Because many hotel interior designers run their own companies or work on a freelance basis, they should be skilled in time management and organized, and also possess at least basic business and financial acumen.

Ultimately, the success of a hotel interior designer lies in his or her ability to impress clients. To do this, designers need to be able to present their ideas in ways that are both concise and easy to visualize. Designers should expect to work not only with a hotel's executives, but also with architects, contractors, and other service providers, which is why having excellent interpersonal and communication skills is imperative.

Sources:

American Society of Interior Designers
Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Quarterly (PDF)
National Council for Interior Design Qualifications
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation
International Interior Design Association
Careers In Interior Design