Have you ever thought of beginning a career as an interior designer? If yes, this article ensures to provide you with a better understanding of how to plan your career as an interior designer. Interior designers are responsible for making your indoor spaces functional and enchanting. As a “to be” interior designer, there are certain things that you should pay attention to, such as academic requirements, experience, being creative, etc. This is an industry which requires you to be an artist. If you have a business sense, it will help you grab more clients.
If you are reading this article, it means you have thought of having a career as an interior designer at some point in your life. You might be a student, you might be thinking of having a career change, or you are just simply interested in interior design. No matter the circumstances, be mindful and do proper research when planning to step in as an interior designer. Here is a guide to planning your career as an interior designer.
Evaluate yourself
Firstly, you should talk to yourself. Why do you need to become an interior designer? What interests you the most? Do you have a decent idea about what interior designers do? If you are passionate about what you are about to do, you should answer these questions. If you want to become a decorator, realize it is entirely different from interior design. Let us break down the main differences between interior designing and interior decorating.
If you’re a person who loves colours, patterns and textures, your focus should be on becoming an interior decorator. Interior designers are accredited design professionals. Firstly, ask yourself if you are ready to spend your time and effort studying the subject. Will you attend a design school and learn? If the answer to the above questions is yes, keep reading this article. You have a right to be an interior designer.
As the next step, identify the areas you want to be an expert on. Some people prefer residential, while some people prefer commercial. There can be people who want healthcare, and some may prefer hospitality. When planning your career, focus on the area you like. It could be one of the areas mentioned above, or it could be something else.
It’s optional to focus on more than one specific field, but it will help you understand yourself and what you should do. Simply have a roadmap prepared.
Before you start career as an interior designer Where will you study?
Let’s talk about the academic qualifications that are required to become an interior designer. Usually, you need a bachelor’s degree to be in the industry. That is because most employers will ask for it when hiring you. The degree can be from any specific area. But it would help if you had gone through interior design, CAD and drawing as a student. It is not mandatory to go to a design school. Many colleges and universities are providing interior design degree programs. But you should ensure that you are studying a range of skills as a student.
Contact an interior designer if you are still determining where you should study or what course to take. Go to someone who can give you proper advice about the industry. Ask the opinions of many people. They can help you in some way.
Getting the experience and training.
If you have completed your degree program, look for opportunities and build a portfolio. You can’t call yourself an interior designer as soon as you get your degree. You should need an experience of at least two years, training, and a sharpened skill set. Therefore, you should look for design jobs around you. They can be internships or entry-level positions at interior design companies in your area. It will help you if you get this initial training from a reputed interior design company. That will add value to your portfolio, and studying from the best in the industry will help you.
Master the skill set and learn new things.
More than having skills, creativity and a degree is required to be a successful interior designer. You should have many social skills too. The ability to communicate and exchange ideas properly is one such skill. If you have this particular skill, it will help you get a job and pass an interview. If you are a good storyteller, you can explain to your clients what you envision. You can begin to master this skill during presentations in your college. Apart from communication, time management, project management, and technical knowledge are also required in this industry.
Drawing is a fundamental skill in the subject. You should also be fluent in computer software such as AutoCAD, CorelDraw, etc. The above-mentioned computer software helps you render your design ideas in 2-D and 3-D models. It will help you if you have a general understanding of SketchUp, a 3-D modelling software, and Autodesk Revit specifically created for BIM.
If you understand correctly and can work with the software mentioned above, you will have an advantage over your competition. The sooner you learn these, the better it is. If you are not taught these subjects in your degree program, it’s up to you to do some self-study. Resources are available everywhere.
Establish a brand for yourself and never stop learning.
As an interior designer, you should always continue learning. It is up to you to establish your brand identity. In doing so, it is vital to identify what you are capable of and what makes you different from others. You should target a specific audience and finalize your goals as an interior designer. When you answer these questions yourself, you will get an outlining of how your brand should be. The next step is going digital. If you want to reach out to people, the easiest and most successful method you can follow is the Internet.
Create social media profiles on the platforms where you think your audience is. A good-looking website is considered to be mandatory. When doing these things, ensure all your digital assets reflect your brand. You should be concerned about the colours that you use and the fonts that you use. Small details can help you give out a louder message. Keep all your communication channels active. It could be your email or phone, or any other medium.
Conclusion
People visiting your website should be able to immediately grasp who you are as a person and what you can bring to the table. Try to interact with other people. Get to know the people in the industry. Follow the success stories in the industry and maintain a consistent brand message across all social media platforms. Make use of social media to show what you have done. Try to get reviews from your customers; it will generate a positive image about you in the people thinking about hiring you. When it comes to social media platforms, we highly recommend LinkedIn. Our best wishes to the future interior designers!