Do you love to decorate your home? Do you have an eye for color? Do you enjoy arranging the furnishings in your home, to make them more attractive and appealing? If so, then a career as an interior designer might be for you.

Interior designers, and designers in general, are people with a desire to create. They combine practical knowledge with artistic ability to turn abstract ideas into formal designs for the merchandise we buy, the clothes we wear, the Web sites we use, the publications we read, and the living and office space we inhabit. 

Interior designers are involved with designing and furnishing the interiors of home and office buildings. The goal is to make these interior spaces more attractive, and more functional and appealing to the people who live and work in them. 

The first step in developing a new design or altering an existing
one is to determine the needs of the client, the ultimate
function for which the design is intended, and its appeal to
customers or users. When creating a design, interior designers often begin by researching the desired design characteristics, such as size and shape of the space in question, color, materials or fabrics used, cost, ease of use, and more.

Interior designers then prepare sketches or diagrams—by hand or with the aid of a computer—to illustrate the vision for the design. After consulting with the client, a creative director, or a
product development team, designers create detailed designs,
using drawings, a structural model, computer simulations, or a
full-scale prototype. Many interior designers use computer -aided design (CAD) tools to create and better visualize the final product.

Interior designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out their creations. Designers who run their own businesses also may
devote a considerable amount of time to developing new business contacts, examining equipment and space needs, and performing administrative tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering samples. 

Interior designers enhance the function, safety, and quality
of interior spaces of private homes, public buildings, and
business or institutional facilities, such as offices, restaurants,
retail establishments, hospitals, hotels, and theaters. They also
plan the interiors of existing structures that are undergoing
renovation or expansion. 

Most interior designers specialize. For example, some may concentrate on residential design, while others focus on business design. Still others may specialize further by focusing on particular rooms, such as kitchens or baths. With a client’s tastes, needs, and budget in mind, interior designers prepare drawings and specifications for non-loadbearing
interior construction, furnishings, lighting, and finishes.

Interior designers also design lighting and architectural details—such as crown molding, built-in bookshelves, or cabinets—coordinate colors, and select furniture, floor coverings, and window treatments. Interior designers must design space to conform to Federal, State, and local laws, including building codes. Designs for public areas also must meet accessibility standards for the disabled and the elderly.

Working Conditions

Working conditions and places of employment vary. Interior designers employed by large corporations, or design firms generally work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings. Designers in smaller design consulting firms, or those who freelance, generally work on a contract, or job, basis. They frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients’ schedules and deadlines, meeting with the clients during evening or weekend hours when necessary.

Consultants and self-employed interior designers tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested, environments.
Designers may transact business in their own offices or studios
or in clients’ homes or offices. They also may travel to other locations, such as showrooms, design centers, clients’ exhibit sites, and manufacturing facilities.

Designers who are paid by the assignment are under pressure to please clients and to find new ones in order to maintain a steady income. All designers sometimes face frustration when their designs are rejected or when their work is not as creative as they wish.  Designers generally work under deadlines and
may put in extra hours to finish a job. Also, they typically carry
heavy, bulky sample books to meetings with clients. 

With the increased speed and sophistication of computers and advanced communications networks, interior designers may form international design teams, serve a geographically more dispersed clientele, research design alternatives by using information on the Internet, and purchase supplies electronically, all with the aid of a computer
in their workplace or studio.

There were about 60,000 interior designers employed in the US in 2004. Approximately one-third of those were self-employed, which is about five times the proportion for all professional
and related occupations. Most of these self-employed designers do freelance work—full time or part time—in addition to holding a salaried job in design or in another occupation.

Training and Other Qualifications

Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this
field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color
and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation
for beauty. Interior designers also need excellent communication
and problem-solving skills. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage for a designer. Also, a good portfolio—a collection of examples of a person’s best work—often is the deciding factor in getting a job. A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level design positions.

Interior design is the only design field subject to government regulation. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 22 States and the District of Columbia register or license interior designers. Passing the National Council for
Interior Design Qualification examination is required for registration or licensure in these jurisdictions. To be eligible to take the exam, an applicant must have at least 6 years of combined education and experience in interior design, of which at least 2 years constitute postsecondary education in design.

Because registration or licensure is not mandatory in all States, membership in a professional association is an indication of an interior designer’s qualifications and professional standing, and can aid in obtaining clients.

Formal training for some design professions also is available
in 2- and 3-year professional schools that award certificates or
associate degrees in design. Graduates of 2-year programs
normally qualify as assistants to designers, or they may enter a
formal bachelor’s degree program. The Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree is granted at 4-year colleges and universities. The curriculum in these schools includes art and art history, principles of design, designing and sketching.

A liberal arts education or a program that includes training
in business or project management, together with courses in
merchandising, marketing, and psychology, along with training
in art, is recommended for designers who want to freelance.
In addition, persons with training or experience in architecture
qualify for some design occupations, particularly interior
design.

Individuals in the interior design field must be creative, imaginative, and persistent and must be able to communicate their ideas in writing, visually, and verbally. Because tastes in style and fashion can change quickly, designers need to be well read, open to new ideas and influences, and quick to react to changing trends.

Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently
and under pressure are important traits. People in this field need
self-discipline to start projects on their own, to budget their
time, and to meet deadlines and production schedules. Good
business sense and sales ability also are important, especially
for those who freelance or run their own business.

Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training and
normally need 1 to 3 years of training before they can advance
to higher level positions. Experienced designers in large firms
may advance to chief designer, design department head, or other
supervisory positions. Some designers leave the occupation to
become teachers in design schools or in colleges and universities.
Many faculty members continue to consult privately or
operate small design studios to complement their classroom
activities. Some experienced designers open their own firms.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of designers is expected to grow about as
fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012 as
the economy expands and consumers, businesses, and manufacturers continue to rely on the services provided by designers.

However, designers in most fields—with the exception of floral
design—are expected to face keen competition for available
positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as
designers. Individuals with little or no formal education in
design, as well as those who lack creativity and perseverance,
will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in the
occupation.

Rising demand for interior design of private homes, offices,
restaurants and other retail establishments, and institutions that
care for the rapidly growing elderly population should spur
employment growth of interior designers. 

Related Occupations

Workers in other occupations who design or arrange objects,
materials, or interiors to enhance their appearance and function
include artists and related workers; architects, except landscape
and naval; engineers; landscape architects; and photographers.
Some computer-related occupations, including computer software engineers and desktop publishers, require design skills.

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