What does an Interior Designer do?
Interior Designers are creative professionals who create indoor spaces that are safe, functional and visually appealing. They work closely with clients to design either residential or commercial spaces that meet the clients’ design needs and preferences. Interior Designers often search for new projects and place their bid, which details how long the project may take, their ideas for it and the cost estimate.
When the Interior Designer is chosen to design a space, they’ll sketch design plans either by hand or using a computer-aided design software. They’ll specify what materials and other items they’ll use to decorate the area, including furniture, lighting and flooring pieces. Interior Designers will also build a timeline and cost projection for the client to explain how long the project with take and how much funding is needed for each section of the project.
Interior Designer skills and qualifications
An Interior Designer needs a certain set of skills in order to effectively design, implement and oversee the completion of a project, including:
- Strong creativity, artistic ability and imagination
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to read and draw blueprints
- Knowledge of the quality, rates and locations of raw materials
- Ability to coordinate with multiple teams and resolve any issues regarding operation and delay
- Strong leadership and management skills
- Advanced attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
Interior Designer salary expectations
An Interior Designer makes an average of $61,485 per year. This salary may vary depending on a candidate’s level of experience, education and geographical location.
Interior Designer education and training requirements
Most Interior Designers are expected to acquire a bachelor’s degree in interior design, though some companies may choose to hire candidates who are artistically inclined and have more general degrees as long as they took coursework in interior design, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and drawing. Some organizations may also prefer to hire applicants who have passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, and others might look for candidates who have certifications in their specific area of interior design, such as corporate, kitchen and bath, sustainability, healthcare and universal concepts.
Interior Designer experience requirements
To obtain the NCIDQ certification, Interior Designers will need two years of experience working in the field, and most organizations look for candidates with this qualification and experience. This experience often comes in the form of an internship or apprenticeship with an arts-focused company like an interior design studio or architecture firm. Some companies look for candidates who have specialized in a certain area, which they may have done during an internship. The type and amount of experience they need also varies depending on the size and type of firm looking for an Interior Designer.
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