How To Become An Interior Designer

By Author: Liz Smith
Total Articles: 2
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What exactly is involved in becoming an interior designer? It's probably much more involved than you might think. The following steps will walk you through what it takes to pursue a career in interior designing.

What Interior Designers Do

Interior designers plan and design spaces and furnish interiors in residential, commercial and public settings. The work can vary from simple projects that involve re-arranging furniture and applying a fresh coat of paint, all the way up through full-scale redesigns that require advanced knowledge of structural documents and close work with architects and contractors.

Schooling

You can earn a certificate, diploma, associate or bachelor's degree in interior design. Many schools throughout the United States offer interior design programs. Coursework varies at each school, but will likely include courses like computer-aided design, color theory, textiles and more.

See Through a Designer's Eyes

If you want to be an interior designer, you need to get used to looking at things ...
... the way designers do. Become aware of the trends that are popular in the industry, get a feel for what's out there and what's in style. Do this by looking through design magazines, attending home shows and even open houses in upscale neighborhoods. Read literature available on the styles of design that interest you most, and begin to analyze spaces that you like by breaking them down into their constituent elements - what principles of design are being employed by the designer that you find appealing?

Begin With Small Steps

To get practice, try making some changes around your own home or living space. Volunteer to help friends and family members update the interior decorating in their homes. As you work, you will learn that just as important as using your expertise to design a space is making the client happy. You need to consult with them to make sure they agree with the changes you make. Working first with friends and family will help you gain confidence and communication skills.

Create a Portfolio

As you volunteer to make interior design changes for friends and family members, keep a record of what you do, thus building a portfolio that will help you when you look for a paying job in the industry. Companies will be much more likely to hire you to be an interior designer if they can take a look at some of the spaces you've designed. Your portfolio will help a potential employer get a feel for your talents, your perspective and your ideas.

Start Out On Your Own

If you would like to become an interior designer, but don't like the idea of working for someone else, you may want to choose to go into business for yourself. If you decide to do this, it's helpful if you're someone who is self-motivated and who isn't afraid to self-promote. You might want to work from home at first, thus saving money on office space. Referrals from family and friends may be the best way of getting work to begin with and then word of mouth can do wonders to help you build your business if people like the work you do.

Liz Smith writes about Interior Decorating and Interior Design.
About the Author Liz Smith is Editor-in-Chief of Trouve Publishing.