Interior Design Career

by Amy Boyett

Choosing a career in interior design can be a rewarding decision with the right information and guidance. Interior designers are three-dimensional artists who have the ability to visualize and carry out ideas based on creative instincts and training. They are also business professionals who understand that in a service profession such as interior design, successful careers depend on the satisfaction of clients. It is important that interior designers not only be creative and artistic, but also highly organized and efficient.

The road to a career in interior design begins with education. According to the Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER) (the national accrediting agency for college and university interior design education programs), a professional interior designer is expected to:

* Analyze client’s needs, goals, and life safety requirements
* Integrate findings with knowledge of interior design
* Formulate preliminary design concepts that are aesthetic, appropriate, and functional, and in accordance with codes and standards
* Develop and present final design recommendations through appropriate presentation media
* Prepare working drawings and specifications for non-load bearing interior construction including reflected ceiling plans, lighting, interior detailing, materials, finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment in compliance with universal accessibility guidelines and all applicable codes
* Collaborate with professional services of other licensed practitioners in the technical areas of mechanical, electrical and load-bearing design as required for regulatory approval
* Prepare and administer bids and contract documents as the client’s agent
* Review and evaluate design solutions during implementation and upon completion.

Interior designing, often mistakenly referred to as “interior decorating,” is inherently different from decorating. Interior decorating refers mainly to a concern for the aesthetics of interiors. A decorator selects and applies finishes such as wall covering, paint, and tile, then selects and arranges furniture and accessories, through color and style coordination, to create the look and feel of a space.

Interior designers are also concerned with the aesthetics of an interior, though a designer is initially concerned with issues relating to an interior’s function and accessibility. An interior designer uses his/her knowledge of interior construction, building codes, construction and finish materials, equipment, and furnishings to create specialized drawings and documents used by contractors to build the space created by the designer. Throughout this process, the designer continuously generates and revises solutions to problems arising from the function of the space or issues regarding the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

Because interior designers are largely responsible for providing safe, healthy environments for the public that are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing, it is essential for the beginning designer to receive a quality education. Earning a degree in interior design is also important due to increasing licensing requirements. Currently there are over twenty states or jurisdictions that have requirements regarding the practice of interior design. Some states have legislation in place which state that you cannot even call yourself an interior designer without meeting requirements such as receiving a degree from an accredited design program, or in some cases, passing the interior design qualifying exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Every state has different regulations regarding the practice of interior designers. The state of Georgia, for example, has a title act, which requires that a practicing interior designer be registered in the state and have at least a 4-year professional degree. The state of Florida, however, has a practice act, which requires interior designers to receive a 2-year degree plus 6 years of experience under a licensed designer to practice as an “interior designer.”

Before selecting the institution where you will study, check to see if the institution(s) you are interested in has a FIDER accredited interior design program. FIDER, as mentioned previously, is responsible for the accreditation of design programs that meet the high standards of design education by providing students with knowledge required for entry into the practice and profession of interior design. Some states, and potentially more in the future, will require FIDER accreditation as part of licensing or practice regulations. There are many opportunities for careers in interior design. Typically, interior designers working with a firm will either practice residential or commercial design. Residential design relates to family dwellings, town homes, condominiums, or apartments. Commercial design includes design for the interiors of corporate offices, hotels, restaurants, banks, or other public commercial spaces. Opportunities are also available for interior designers to work in furniture dealerships, as historic preservationists, or more specialized fields such as lighting or kitchen & bath design.

Interior design is among several occupations projected for continued growth throughout the coming years, and competition for design jobs will pose new challenges for young designers; however, highly skilled creative professionals will be valued and sought after by employers.

If you are interested in interior design as a career, get involved and ask questions. There are numerous resources available for students. Professional organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) offer answers to frequently asked questions including salary ranges, job opportunities, and education information. The more informed you are now, the greater your chance will be for future success.

Article provided by Amy Boyett, Asst. Professor of Interior Design, Georgia Southern University; Principal, IN3D Inc.