Turn Your Love of Interior Design Into A Career!

If you’re looking for a career that lets you use your imagination to make others smile then a degree in interior design is for you! Creative problem-solving, meticulous design and a strong eye for aesthetic are some of the key elements of this program of study.[i] Master these and you’ll be on your way to an awesome new career. Keep reading to learn more!

If you’re looking for a career that lets you use your imagination to make others smile then a degree in interior design is for you! Creative problem-solving, meticulous design and a strong eye for aesthetic are some of the key elements of this program of study. Master these and you’ll be on your way to an awesome new career. Keep reading to learn more!

Primary Interior Design Areas of Interest

The three main areas of interest in interior design are[ii]:

– House Decoration

– Commercial Design

– Residential Design

Interior design programs impart knowledge and relevant education on the following aspects of interior design:

– Elements and principles of design

– Interior planning

– Architectural design and survey

– Graphic techniques

When it comes to technical skills, interior design students must have the ability to make calculations as well as an accomplishment in design software applications. Some of the best interior design software programs include[iii]:

SketchUp
HomeByMe
SmartDraw
Virtual Architect Ultimate Home Design
Easyhome Homestyler
Floorplanner
Roomstyler 3D Home Planner

Interior designers are tasked with choosing the best materials and products required to create and furnish living areas. They must discern the combination and the interaction of factors, including color, texture, lighting, etc.

Core Courses for an Interior Design Major

If you intend to major in interior design, you will most likely encounter the below core courses[iv]:

Principles of Interior Design: This course covers the fundamentals of interior design – creating a design from concept all the way to implementation.

Computer-Aided Drafting: Computer and drafting systems are used to create designs and build drawings that will be shown to clients. CAD courses teach the usage of these systems.

Drawing and Perspective: This course teaches drafting drawings for interior plans, hence preparing you to communicate design proposals manually.

Designing Interior Lighting: This course covers light principles, creating specifications for commercial and residential lighting applications.

Architecture History: This course touches on the history of architecture.

Use of Color: A course on theory and color application

Professional Practice Courses: These courses prepare interior design students for professional aspects of the career field.

Potential Job Opportunities for Graduates

Upon completion of an interior design degree, there are some possible career options for future graduates:

– Healthcare designer

– Sustainable designer

– Landscape decorator

– Kitchen and bath designer

– Exhibition designer

– Corporate designer

– Event planner

The Essential Skills Every Interior Designer Needs

Individuals who delve into interior design careers need specific skills to be successful. Pursuing a degree in interior design will equip you with the tools and experience that you require. The following skill sets are essential for a prolific career:

1) Trend identification

Trends are dynamic; they come by and disappear quite fast. As a good interior designer, you need to be ahead of the curve. You should be able to spot and predict trends for you to remain relevant and in-demand.

2) A creative eye and attention to detail

The first trait of an interior designer is creativity – it is a prerequisite for this job. Your clients expect that you design spaces for them. You will need a combination of point of view as well as adaptability. Your focus should be on both the little details and the broader picture to be able to create cohesive spaces.

3) Knowledge of sustainable practices

Clients nowadays are requesting eco-friendly features. For this reason, to be a successful interior designer, you need to have substantial knowledge of the desirable technologies and features. Most clients rely on interior designers for the best decisions; thus, knowledge is essential for satisfaction.

4) Excellent communication

As a good interior designer, you will be expected to possess excellent communication and listening skills. Besides your clients, you will also need to properly handle contractors and other professionals who will execute your designs.

5) Organization

To complete projects within time and budget, a good interior designer should be well organized. If you are characterized by the habit of taking too long or exceeding clients’ cost projections, then you are doomed to fail. You need to plan everything to the dollar and the minute carefully. Although unexpected delays and costs are inevitable in every environment, you need to create an allowance for these.

6) Sketching ability and computer knowledge

You may have visualized that being an interior designer, you will need to create your designs by hand. Nowadays, there are computer-based design software for creating visual representations of designs. You should be able to combine both hand sketching skills and computer design software to come up with superb designs.

Interior design is nowadays an independent discipline that entails the improvement of living conditions through the creation of an environment that blends aesthetic principles with ergonomics and anthropology.

Interior design boosts the functionality and interior spaces’ quality by blending creativity, technical elements, and visual sensitivity. It is affiliated to sister disciplines like industrial design, graphic design, and landscape architecture. Interior design is a rewarding career; you won’t regret pursuing an interior design degree.

[i] Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. (n.d.). Retrieved September 05, 2020, from https://catalog.utexas.edu/undergraduate/architecture/degrees-and-programs/bs-interior-design/

[ii] Bachelors in Arts, Design & Architecture. (n.d.). Retrieved September 05, 2020, from https://www.bachelorsportal.com/disciplines/262/interior-design.html

[iii] Kurko, M. (n.d.). The 7 Best Interior Design Software Programs of 2020. Retrieved September 05, 2020, from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-interior-design-software-5024948

[iv] (n.d.). Retrieved September 05, 2020, from https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Core_Courses_for_an_Interior_Design_Major.html