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Interior designers are professionals who design and decorate homes or businesses. Read on for more information on how to become an interior designer.
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Interior designers are professionals who design and decorate homes or businesses. Read on for more information on how to become an interior designer.
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Introduction
Interior designers are creative, imaginative professionals who decorate spaces inside homes and businesses. The interior designer decides on a design concept and then executes her idea. Designers definitely do much more than decorate: many work closely with contractors, painters, plumbers, carpenters and other trade professionals to be sure their designs are executed properly and within the context of the other facets of a home's construction. -
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Step 1: Decide If It's Right for You
- Interior designers wear a variety of hats. They are creative artists, planning unique and aesthetically pleasing designs for the interiors of:
- Homes
- Businesses, including:
- Hospitals
- Airport terminals
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Schools
- Being a successful designer takes much more than a knack for decorating, though. Designers must know how to read blueprints and understand building codes, and they must be able to work closely with building contractors, electricians and other experts to ensure that those codes are met.
What Does It Pay?
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics put the average salary for an interior designer at $42,260 in May 2006. Salaries for interior designers vary greatly, depending on the employer and the designer's reputation and years of experience in the field.
Step 2: Education
- A bachelor's degree is recommended if you wish to become an interior designer. Hundreds of U.S. colleges offer accredited programs in both art and design. Other training programs are available as well; most last between two and four years.
Step 3: Training and Licensing
- Once you have completed your post-secondary education, you should begin working as an apprentice. A majority of entry-level interior designers spend up to three years as apprentices for design firms.
- Nearly two-dozen U.S. states require interior designers to be licensed or registered. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification administers the licensing exam. To take it, the candidate must have at least six years of experience in interior design, including education and work experience.
Step 4: Find a Job
- Once you have completed your education, training and licensing requirements, it is time to search for a job. The field of interior design is a competitive one and attracts many talented designers.
- Prepare a resume. For tips on creating a top-notch resume, check out Mahalo's How to Write a Resume.
- Submit your resume to any design or architectural firms in your area.
- If you have worked as an apprentice for a particular firm, let them know you are looking for work. Many times this experience will give you an edge over other potential candidates.
- Check design-related professional websites; some may list employment opportunities.
Conclusion
- Interior designers often mean the difference between a drab space and a vibrant, beautiful home or office area. They often spend years of preparation through education, training and apprenticeship before launching their careers. Becoming an interior designer takes time, determination and versatility; designers are not only artists—they are often managers and consultants to a variety of clients in many different settings.
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