What does a Design Consultant do?
Design Consultant careers often come with experience working with companies in various industries, with the focus always being on helping them improve and realize their dream designs. The position can come with projects ranging from planning historical hotel lobby renovations to designing a new corporate campus that leverages the latest styles, designs and technology. Design Consultants get to know their clients’ personal tastes, lifestyles, design preferences and overall budgets in order to complete the job. They frequently research industry trends on each new consultation to more easily calibrate with clients.
Design Consultant skills and qualifications
Ideal candidates for a Design Consultant position need to exhibit a multitude of skills, including but not limited to:
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A deep understanding of colorways, popular design elements, architecture and how it all creates a single experience
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An ability to research and analyze the latest designs within a client’s industry
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Interpersonal and communication skills to build rapport and trust with clients
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Organizational skills to help document and manage each project
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Creativity in both design and application to solve client issues while maintaining their desired aesthetic
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Strong problem-solving skills to address conflicts of interest without slowing progress
Design Consultant experience requirements
Design Consultants often obtain experience in the industry under a senior designer and may not require any initial work history to get started. Candidates with a long history of successful design projects may deliver more consistent results and mentor additional consultants as they join the team. Some companies will take a candidate’s portfolio into account over the amount of experience they have, focusing on the creativity that successful Design Consultants possess.
Design Consultant education and training requirements
The level of education required for Design Consultant candidates varies based on the seniority of the role and their previous experience. Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in architecture or interior design may bring stronger skills to your company, with more senior positions sometimes requiring a master’s degree. The types of clients and sizes of projects they’ll be responsible for will often dictate the education level you look for to be confident in a candidate.
Design Consultant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Design Consultant is $78,670 a year. The final salary offer will depend on candidate experience, skills and company location.
Job description samples for similar positions
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Design Consultant job description FAQs
What is the difference between a Design Consultant and Interior Designer?
The primary difference between these two similar jobs is that Design Consultants work on different projects across several industries and spaces. Interior Designers tend to specialize in certain areas, such as residential homes or corporate office buildings. Both share the same skills but with different scopes.
Who do Design Consultants report to?
Typically Design Consultants report to a senior consultant on their team for approval on design plans and help handling client conflicts. Some Design Consultants operate solely on their own, reporting directly to a department head or company owner.
What should I look for in a Design Consultant resume?
A bachelor’s degree gives a Design Consultant’s resume a strong start, but the primary focus of the resume is to showcase their design portfolio and past projects. An otherwise quality candidate may only work with certain designs and styles that may not fit the needs of your industry.
What qualities do successful Design Consultants need?
The main quality to look for in Design Consultant candidates is practical creativity, a combination of aesthetics and functionality in their design process. Other important attributes include strong client communication and analytical and research skills. Each of these plays a role in the success of potential Design Consultants.
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