If you love to make homes look cozy and fabulous, then interior design is a cool career to have. An interior designer is someone who visits homes and creates a design plan with input from the homeowner. The process starts with an initial meeting between the designer and homeowner where the homeowner discuss his vision for the design. The designer then gives other suggestions and takes notes so that she will get a better idea of what the homeowner wants. The designer might also sketch out the desired plan and show it to the homeowner before the project begins.
How to Enter This Field
Just a basic understanding of design is not enough to enter interior design. You should also understand home safety standards and local laws regarding the use of certain supplies for home renovation. Get a bachelors degree in fine arts with a specialization in interior design and while you’re in college you want to obtain internships at local interior design firms since they give you real-world work experience. You should also join a professional organization that mentors aspiring interior designers so that you can network with others for employment after graduation. Inquire about licensing requirements from your state’s regulatory board’s website. If you are starting your own business, promote yourself by setting up your own website and creating a social media page for the business. On your social media page write blog posts about interior design tips and trends, and inject information on your company within the blog posts. Include links to your website.
Additional Skills Needed for Interior Design
Interior designers need to be good listeners in order to carry out clients’ wishes effectively. Designers should also educate themselves through interior design courses and by reading about the latest home design trends. Interior designers need time management skills since they often have multiple clients, and they need to have access to a variety of suppliers in order to have the right materials. They should also be able to lead their staff and communicate well.
Outlook
The outlook for interior looks great according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The employment in this field could grow by 13% by the year 2022. You will be able to find work not only in homes but also at businesses since the construction industry will continue to need more interior designers thanks to the constant expansion of big businesses throughout the country. In addition, there will be a rise in the need for interior designers at hotels, schools and clinics. As for salary, interior designers earn up to $47,000 annually although some might earn more depending on different factors such as education, years of experience and location.
In conclusion, interior design is a fun and rewarding career that allows you to help others have better-looking and more functional homes and businesses. With the right education, determination, hard work and help from others, you will excel in this field.