• Keen competition is expected for jobs because many
talented individuals are attracted to this occupation.
• About 26 percent are self-employed.
• Postsecondary education—especially a bachelor’s
degree—is recommended for entry-level positions; some
States license interior designers.
Nature of the Work
Interior designers draw upon many disciplines to enhance
the function, safety, and aesthetics of interior spaces. Their
main concerns are with how different colors, textures, furniture,
lighting, and space work together to meet the needs of a building’s
occupants. Designers plan interior spaces of almost every
type of building, including offices, airport terminals, theaters,
shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and
private residences. Good design can boost office productivity,
increase sales, attract a more affluent clientele, provide
a more relaxing hospital stay, or increase a building’s
market value.
Traditionally, most interior designers focused on decorating—choosing
a style and color palette and then selecting appropriate furniture,
floor and window coverings, artwork, and lighting. However,
an increasing number of designers are becoming involved in
architectural detailing, such as crown molding and built-in
bookshelves, and in planning layouts of buildings undergoing
renovation, including helping to determine the location of
windows, stairways, escalators, and walkways.
Interior designers must be able to read blueprints, understand
building and fire codes, and know how to make space accessible
to people who are disabled. Designers frequently collaborate
with architects, electricians, and building contractors to
ensure that designs are safe and meet construction requirements.
Whatever space they are working on, almost all designers follow
the same process. The first step, known as programming, is
to determine the client’s needs and wishes. The designer
usually meets face-to-face with the client to find out how
the space will be used and to get an idea of the client’s
preferences and budget. For example, the designer might inquire
about a family’s cooking habits if the family is remodeling
a kitchen or ask about a store or restaurant’s target
customer in order to pick an appropriate motif. The designer
also will visit the space to take inventory of existing furniture
and equipment and identify positive attributes of the space
and potential problems.
Then, the designer formulates a design plan and estimates
costs. Today, designs often are created with the use of computer-aided
design (CAD), which provides more detail and easier corrections
than sketches made by hand. Once the designer completes the
proposed design, he or she will present it to the client and
make revisions based on the client’s input. When the
design concept is decided upon, the designer will begin specifying
the materials, finishes, and furnishings required, such as
furniture, lighting, flooring, wall covering, and artwork.
Depending on the complexity of the project, the designer also
might submit drawings for approval by a construction inspector
to ensure that the design meets building codes. If a project
requires structural work, the designer works with an architect
or engineer for that part of the project. Most designs also
require the hiring of contractors to do technical work, such
as lighting, plumbing, or electrical wiring. Often designers
choose contractors and write work contracts.
Finally, the designer develops a timeline for the project,
coordinates contractor work schedules, and makes sure work
is completed on time. The designer oversees the installation
of the design elements, and after the project is complete,
the designer, together with the client, pay follow-up visits
to the building site to ensure that the client is satisfied.
If the client is not satisfied, the designer makes corrections.
Designers who work for furniture or home and garden stores
sell merchandise in addition to offering design services.
In-store designers provide services, such as selecting a style
and color scheme that fits the client’s needs or finding
suitable accessories and lighting, similar to those offered
by other interior designers. However, in-store designers rarely
visit clients’ spaces and use only a particular store’s
products or catalogs. Interior designers sometimes supervise
assistants who carry out their plans and perform administrative
tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering samples.
Designers who run their own businesses also may devote considerable
time to developing new business contacts, examining equipment
and space needs, and attending to business matters.
Although most interior designers do many kinds of projects,
some specialize in one area of interior design. Some specialize
in the type of building space—usually residential or
commercial—while others specialize in a certain design
element or type of client, such as health care facilities.
The most common specialties of this kind are lighting, kitchen
and bath, and closet designs. However, designers can specialize
in almost any area of design, including acoustics and noise
abatement, security, electronics and home theaters, home spas,
and indoor gardens.
Three areas of design that are becoming increasingly popular
are ergonomic design, elder design, and environmental—or
green—design. Ergonomic design involves designing work
spaces and furniture that emphasize good posture and minimize
muscle strain on the body. Elder design involves planning
interior space to aid in the movement of people who are elderly
and disabled. Green design involves selecting furniture and
carpets that are free of chemicals and hypoallergenic and
selecting construction materials that are energy efficient
or are made from renewable resources.
Work environment
Working conditions and places of employment vary. Interior
designers employed by large corporations or design firms generally
work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings.
Designers in smaller design consulting firms or those who
freelance generally work on a contract, or job, basis. They
frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients’
schedules and deadlines, meeting with clients during evening
or weekend hours when necessary. Consultants and self-employed
designers tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested
environments. Interior designers may work under stress to
meet deadlines, stay on budget, and please clients. Self-employed
designers also are under pressure to find new clients to maintain
a steady income.
Designers may work in their own offices or studios or in
clients’ homes or offices. They also may travel to other
locations, such as showrooms, design centers, clients’
exhibit sites, and manufacturing facilities. With the increased
speed and sophistication of computers and advanced communications
networks, designers may form international design teams, serve
a more geographically dispersed clientele, research design
alternatives by using information on the Internet, and purchase
supplies electronically.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Postsecondary education, especially a bachelor’s degree,
is recommended for entry-level positions in interior design.
Two-year and 3-year programs also are available. Some States
license interior designers.
Education and training
Postsecondary education, especially a bachelor’s degree,
is recommended for entry-level positions in interior design.
Training programs are available from professional design schools
or from colleges and universities and usually take 2 to 4
years to complete. Graduates of 2-year or 3-year programs
are awarded certificates or associate degrees in interior
design and normally qualify as assistants to interior designers
upon graduation. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree
usually qualify for a formal design apprenticeship program.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits
approximately 250 postsecondary institutions with programs
in art and design. Most of these schools award a degree in
interior design. Applicants may be required to submit sketches
and other examples of their artistic ability. Basic coursework
includes computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, perspective,
spatial planning, color and fabrics, furniture design, architecture,
ergonomics, ethics, and psychology.
The National Council for Interior Design Accreditation also
accredits interior design programs that lead to a bachelor’s
degree. In 2007, there were 145 accredited bachelor’s
degree programs in interior design in the United States; most
are part of schools or departments of art, architecture, and
home economics.
After the completion of formal training, interior designers
will enter a 1-year to 3-year apprenticeship to gain experience
before taking a licensing exam. Most apprentices work in design
or architecture firms under the supervision of an experienced
designer. Apprentices also may choose to gain experience working
as an in-store designer in furniture stores. The National
Council of Interior Design offers the Interior Design Experience
Program, which helps entry-level interior designers gain valuable
work experience by supervising work experience and offering
mentoring services and workshops to new designers.
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Westwood
College - The demand for Interior Designers
will continue well into the future as more
focus is placed on ergonomics, high-tech construction
materials, and continually changing national
and local building codes. Westwood College
of Technology has designed the bachelor degree
program to focus on the technical, creative,
and human facets of interior design. With
a Westwood degree, you can develop the necessary
technical skills and fine-tune your creative
skills to enter this growing career field.
Campus Locations:
Anaheim, California,
Arlington, Virginia
Atlanta Midtown, Georgia
Atlanta Northlake, Georgia
Chicago DuPage, Illinois
Chicago Loop, Illinois
Chicago O'Hare Airport, Illinois
Chicago River Oaks, Illinois
Denver, Colorado
Inland Empire, California
Long Beach, California
Los Angeles, California |
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• Bachelor - Interior Design |
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View
a complete list of colleges offering Interior Design programs
Licensure
Twenty-three States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto
Rico register or license interior designers. The National
Council administers the licensing exam for Interior Design
Qualification. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants
must have at least 6 years of combined education and experience
in interior design, of which at least 2 years must be postsecondary
education in design. Once candidates have passed the qualifying
exam, they are granted the title of Certified, Registered,
or Licensed Interior Designer, depending on the State. Continuing
education is required to maintain licensure.
Other qualifications
Membership in a professional association is one indication
of an interior designer’s qualifications and professional
standing. The American Society of Interior Designers is the
largest professional association for interior designers in
the United States. Interior designers can qualify for membership
with at least a 2-year degree and work experience. Employers
increasingly prefer interior designers who are familiar with
computer-aided design software and the basics of architecture
and engineering to ensure that their designs meet building
safety codes.
In addition to possessing technical knowledge, interior designers
must be creative, imaginative, and persistent and must be
able to communicate their ideas visually, verbally, and in
writing. Because tastes in style can change quickly, designers
need to be well read, open to new ideas and influences, and
quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills
and the ability to work independently and under pressure are
additional important traits. People in this field need self-discipline
to start projects on their own, to budget their time, and
to meet deadlines and production schedules. Good business
sense and sales ability also are important, especially for
those who freelance or run their own business.
Advancement
Optional certifications in kitchen and bath design are available
from the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The association
offers three different levels of certification for kitchen
and bath designers, each achieved through training seminars
and certification exams.
Beginning interior designers receive on-the-job training
and normally need 1 to 3 years of training before they can
advance to higher level positions. Experienced designers in
large firms may advance to chief designer, design department
head, or some other supervisory position. Some experienced
designers open their own firms or decide to specialize in
one aspect of interior design. Other designers leave the occupation
to become teachers in schools of design or in colleges and
universities. Many faculty members continue to consult privately
or operate small design studios to complement their classroom
activities.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Interior designers, on
the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos293.htm
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