Interior Design

Interior Design Career Overview

Interior designers are involved in a wide variety of disciplines in an effort to improve or create a functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing space. They must pay close attention to the coloring, textures, furniture, and lighting in order to create a pleasing environment for their clients.

Some typical tasks of an interior designer may include:

• Selection of furniture, furnishings, equipment, including layout drawings and detailed product descriptions.
• Selection of colors and materials to correctly portray the design concept and to meet functional, maintenance, environmental, and safety requirements.
• Research and analysis of the client's desires, and development of documents, drawings, and diagrams outlining these needs.
• Formulation and confirmation of preliminary space plans and design concepts that are safe, functional, and aesthetically appealing.
• Preparation of construction documents including plans, elevations, details and specifications to illustrate layouts.
• Confirmation that these documents adhere to regional fire codes, municipal codes, and any other jurisdictional statutes that are applicable to the interior space.
• Review and reporting on the implementation of projects in progress and upon completion, as a representative and on behalf of the client.
• Conducting post-occupancy evaluation reports.

This is an incredibly exciting career choice for individuals that have a creative, yet detail orientated mind, work well with others, and can communicate an idea effectively with potential clients.

Interior Design Training and Education

College level education is important for a career in interior design, as many potential employers will consider your level of education when reviewing your qualifications. In many states, it is illegal to call yourself an interior designer unless you meet certain criteria which include a number of years of education, experience, and the completion of a minimum competency exam.

Many colleges, universities, and art schools offer interior design programs. Before choosing a school, you should first consider where you might be working and what kind of work is most attractive to you. Other considerations should include:

• Accreditation – The Council for Interior Design Accreditation sets specific standards for interior design education. These standards address curriculum structure, facilities, and other important elements necessary in interior design.
• Personal fit – Look for a match between your personal interests and the institution you are considering attending. Considerations should include cost, size of the school, location, program emphasis, and employment prospects.
• Personal observation – If possible, talk with a faculty member or student at the school you are applying. Spend time learning about internship opportunities, guest lectures, field trips, all of which can greatly enrich and add to your learning experience.

Interior Design Career and Salary Outlook

Interior designers are very likely to be self employed, especially residential interior designers. Earnings vary widely depending on the type of design done, level of experience, personal design reputation, and whether they are self-employed or salaried. As with any other line of work, entry-level salaries are low, and senior practitioners often earn several times that of junior staff.

On average, beginning interior designers earn around $30,000 a year. Mid-level designers with three or more years experience make between $35,000 and $40,000, while those who demonstrate good project and management skills can command substantially higher salaries as managers. Partners or principals in prestigious firms can earn $100,000 or more.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of interior designers is expected to increase at a faster than average rate, but individuals in this field should be prepared for tough competition as this is a very popular career choice.

Career Fields/Specializations

Interior Design Career Fields and Specializations

There are numerous specialties in interior design. Listed here are some of the more popular career choices:

Residential Design: Residential interior designers work exclusively with private homes.

Entertainment Design: Interior designers working in entertainment design work for movies, television shows, live theater, theme parks, clubs and concerts to create the sets directors need for their projects.

Health Care Design: Health care designers are in high demand due to the ever expanding need for more health care facilities. These individuals create the best working environments for clinics, examination rooms, surgical suites, hospice care homes, waiting rooms, and any other health care setting.

Office Design: Office designers work exclusively on creating the most functional and aesthetically pleasing working environments for corporate and professional companies.

Retail Design: Retain designers design the best environments for all retrial related activities. These can include the design of boutiques, department stores, outlets, showrooms, restaurants, and shopping malls.

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