Interior Design as a Career

Interior Design as a Career

Get information, hints and tips on choosing a career in interior design.

Are you suitable for this career?

Where to study?

How to find employment or start or progress your own business....

Useful interior design career information

You might be interested in pursuing interior design as a career...

...interior design is a very popular career choice, and can be very creative and satisfying to do as a job.

If you are interested in a career in interior design, you should first make sure that you know what to expect...

...and are satisified that this is a suitable career path for you to take...

Are You Suitable?

• Interior design is a creative and artistic career.

  So you should enjoy coming up with ideas for interiors, colors, furnishings and styles, for your own home (or other people's!)...

  And putting it all together as a finished room.

Recommended Reading on Choosing Interior Design as a Career
• Interior design as a career may also involve a lot of:
  • travel
  • meeting people - customers and contractors
  • budgeting
  • drawing
  • computer aided design
  • business administration
  • marketing
  • accounts and finances

Education

• It is likely that you will need some kind of interior design qualifications in order to find work for your career in interior design.
• There are a selection of interior design courses and information about choosing the most appropriate interior design course for you, on my interior design courses page, here...


• You may be able to study interior design from home, or online, or go to a number of different schools, colleges and universities.
• Check for accredited courses and note who the accreditation is with - do thorough research into your choice of course before you make your final decision.
• In the much of the United States and Canada, you will likely have to take the N.C.I.D.Q. qualification exam (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) to call yourself an 'interior designer'.

  Check their website for information about the exam and qualification

• Another alternative is to become an 'Interior Decorator', which currently (as at 2011) does not require similar licensing, and regulations, in those regions.

  In my view, 'Interior Decorating' may well be the career for you, if you want to concentrate on color, style, layout, furnishings and accessories - without the licenses and regulations...

  Find out more about the differences between 'Interior Design' and 'Interior Decorating' as a career, here... (info from the NCIDQ), before you decide whether to follow 'interior decoration' or 'interior design' as a career.

• While studying, you should build up a portfolio of designs which you have created, and work you have put in place for family and friends.


• A full and varied portfolio will help you to gain employment or clients, later on, and is always a very useful tool in interior design as a career.


• Also read lots to get a full and thorough knowledge of your subject.


Suggested Interior Design Books

Suggested Career Reading

Courses
(Including Online Courses)

Starting Your Career in Interior Design

• When you've finished your interior design studies, you will, no doubt, be wondering where and how to start working in interior design as a career...
• A career in interior design is very popular - and while there is work available, there can be a lot of competition for it...
• You can work (employed) in a large or small interior design practice, or be self-employed, and work freelance, for commercial or residential clients.
• You can also set up your own local business.
• You might work in:
  • residential interior design
  • commercial interior design
    • offices
    • factories
    • shops
    • hotels
    • restaurants
    • exhibitions, museums, galleries
    • hospitals, care homes and clinics

Suggested Reading for anyone thinking about starting their career in interior design...

Employment

• If you want to find a job in interior deisgn, try contacting interior design practices and businesses in your area, to see if they have any openings suitable for you.
• Look into possible:
  • internships
  • training programs and apprenticeships
  • work experience

  ...that such firms may offer, to gain some valuable experience in interior design.

• You never know, an offer from you of some free work experience may make yourself indispensible enough to gain a paid job - or at the very least, you will gain some valuable work experience.
• Trade shows can also be a good place to find some employment, and start your career in interior design.
• Keep working on building up your design portfolio.

Self Employment

• Self employment is a very popular route for interior design as a career.
• It can be easy to get started, but you will need to work hard to build up a good reputation, and a large client base.
• Check:
  • if local licences are required
  • you have appropriate insurances
  • inform the appropriate authorities you are starting to work for yourself
• You should investigate local demand and supply for your business idea before you start.
• Look at already successful interior design businesses and learn from them - note how much they charge, and how they market themselves
• Is there room for an additional interior design business in your local area?
• Can you do something different, to make your services unique? Or cater to a different market?
• As a new starter in your career in interior design, you may need to charge considerably less than established, in-demand, designers.
• It will probably take some time to build up your clientele base.

  So you might want to consider working in your new business on just a part time basis (if you already have another job) while you get established.

Suggested reading for starting your interior design business

• It is important to get the word out about your new business, and the services you offer...

  So don't forget to advertize far and wide:

  • in local newspapers
  • trade magazines
  • notice boards
  • online
• Visit trade shows and fairs, for ideas on how you could promote yourself.

Suggested reading for getting clients for your business

• The internet is a very effective tool, used wisely, and can help you to get yourself established and recognized in the local area.










• It is worthwhile taking the time to investigate how people search for local interior design services online - and discover ways of driving paying business your way, via the internet.
• The company I used to build this website, SBI, have truly excellent advice for small business owners, and local businesses, who want to use the internet as one of their primary business models...

  I recommend you start by taking a look at some of their useful information for local businesses, here... and also information for selling your professional services over the internet, here... to help to build your business and reputation, using the online world.

Whichever path you choose to follow in interior design as a career, you are sure to find a very rewarding career, with very many interesting challenges to overcome.

I hope this page helps you to get started on your career in interior design.

Recommended Reading if you are Considering or Starting Interior Design as a Career

Some books you might find useful when deciding if interior design is the career for you, or if you are starting, or progressing your career...

• Becoming an Interior Designer - C Piotrowski

  A great look at interior design as a career - a good book for anyone contemplating interior design as a career, or looking into interior design career paths...

• Starting your Career as an Interior Designer - RK Hale and TK Williams

  Ready to launch your new career as an interior designer? Start with a look at this useful book...

• How To Open & Operate A Financially Successful Interior Design Business - D. Leone

  A great starting point for anyone considering interior design as a business. Lots of useful information, business plan help and accompanying CD-Rom.

• Advanced Redesign: How to Maximise your Profits - B Jennings

  A good book for those starting an interior design career and especially those looking to develop and grow existing businesses.

  Make more profits by including additional services, and expanding your range.

• Professional Practice for Interior Designers - C Piotrowski

  Looking at interior design as a business - including business practices you need for your business to succeed...

• The Interior Designer's Guide to Pricing, Estimating and Budgeting - TS Williams

  If, like most new designers, you find the hardest part is knowing what to charge for your services, this excellent book is the one for you.

  Number one for the money and accounts side of your business and making a profit...

• Interior Design Clients: The Designer's Guide to Building and Keeping a Great Clientele - TL Williams

  For any successful business you need customers - this great book covers how to find your first customers, how to present your services, keeping your customers happy - and building up your clientele base.

Good luck with interior design as a career.

Best wishes

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