 |
|
|
|
Do you have a flair for color and style? Do you spot fashion trends for the home before the rest of the world catches on? Do you have an innovative way with fabric and an eye for business opportunities? If these questions describe you, an interior design career could be your calling.
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
An interior designer wears many fashionable hats. They bring together colors, textures, lighting and furniture into a space in the proper way to provide a pleasing look, ideal function and necessary safety for those who occupy the rooms.
Interior designers work in every type of building, from high-rise luxury apartment complexes to stark, focus-on-function office buildings. They might also work in schools, hospitals, airports, theaters, restaurants or shopping malls. Though interior designers traditionally work with furniture, window treatments, wall coverings and the like, more designers are taking a hands-on role in architectural details, including renovation and remodeling ideas.
Interior Design Education Prerequisites
Those interested in a career in interior design should familiarize themselves with the history of the profession, including trends that have come and gone. They should develop strong sewing, measuring and tailoring skills, as well as a deep working knowledge of color palettes, sketching and architectural details.
Interior Design Education Requirements: Degrees and Coursework
An associate's degree or bachelor's degree is a requirement for entry level work. Interior design coursework often includes:
Classes in psychology and ethics are also necessary, as well as extensive training in computer aided drafting (CAD).
Those who earn a certificate or associate's degree are often hired as assistants to interior designers, while those who earn their bachelor's degree can usually qualify for an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship usually lasts one to three years and is often served at a design firm, architectural firm or furniture store.
Many states require a license for interior designers to begin work. For those states that do require this, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification administers the exam. Applicants must have six years of combined education and experience, including two years of post secondary education, to be eligible to take the test. Each state has its own interior design requirements for continuing education.
Interior Design Education: Specializations and Career Options
If an interior designer chooses to focus on kitchen and bath design, optional certifications are available through the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Memberships in associations such as the American Society of Interior Designers are often good steps for an interior designer as they build up their career.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), self-employment is common among interior designers. Some might work for small firms or find employment on a contract basis. Experienced designers who work with firms might advance to design department head, chief designer or other positions that put them in charge of up-and-coming designers. Some designers might branch off and open their own design firms.
Another option for experienced interior designers is to teach in design schools. In this case, designers often continue to hold a small client base for private work and sometimes maintain a small firm to supplement classroom teachings for their students.
Interior Designer Salary and Career Outlook
According to the BLS, job growth for interior designers is expected to increase 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, or faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for designers is expected to be strong among homeowners who want to renovate or remodel their homes, businesses who want to create a more comfortable atmosphere for customers and health care facilities that have the needs of an aging population in mind. However, competition for these jobs will be keen, as many talented individuals are drawn to the profession.
Interior designer salaries can vary widely depending upon years of experience, type of employer and the specialty a designer chooses. According to the BLS, interior designers made a median yearly income of $46,180. In 2009, those in the 10th percentile earned a median annual salary of $26,980, while the 90th percentile made $83,620.
Resources for Interior Designers:
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.
Copyright © QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
