So You Want to Be an Interior Designer...

Interior Designers affect the way we feel when we walk into a room. Whether it's a retail store or penthouse apartment, the designer creates a mood using lighting, colors, and elements of space. It is, however, much more than just decorating. Color, texture, style, and fabrics come into play only after the actual space has been created.

Perhaps a client has found the perfect spot for a new business, but the building is not quite suited for his needs. An interior designer will survey the property and develop floor plans and layouts for the new venture.

Do you have what it takes to go into Interior Design?
With the popularity of television shows such as ‘Trading Spaces" and "Shabby Chic", which feature decorating tips and ideas, this field has started to generate a whole new audience.

Interior design students have more than one thing in common. They tend to be extremely detail-oriented. They are most likely the ones who, as a kid, changed their bedroom around over and over again. They are known as the "go-to" person when a friend or family member is trying to redo a room in their home. As an Interior Design major, you'll learn how to cultivate these innate skills and combine them with hands-on, technical skills to create the perfect place to fit your client's needs.

Choosing the right school for you
When looking for an accredited Interior Design program, there are many points that your Admissions Representative should cover with you. You'll want to see projects that the college's students have created. Even if you don't have a trained eye, you will be able to recognize quality work.

Second, ask about class size. Small classes will enable you to receive personal attention from your instructor. And, while we are on the subject of instructors, you'll want to find out about their own industry experience. It is important to learn from individuals who have professional experience in your chosen field of study.

Third, check out the curriculum. Do you start taking classes in your major right away, or do you have to wait until you have finished your General Education requirements?

Lastly, find out about the college's career services and professional organizations. Does the school help with job placement? Do they have contacts in the industry? Find out if your school has affiliation with organizations such as ASID (The American Society of Interior Designers) or NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). Groups such as these may help you make contacts before you begin your new career!

What would a typical course of study involve?
An Interior Design student must learn how to take their client's ideas and produce them in a visual format. Courses such as Perspective Drawing, Drafting, and Three Dimensional Design give you the skills to create a realistic presentation. Color Theory and Rendering classes teach you how to use colors to create the effect that you want. Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) enables students to use technology as part of their design media.

An Interior Design curriculum should include classes in both Contract and Residential Design. Contract design classes teach the student how to design and plan commercial, industrial, corporate, and institutional interiors. Residential design focuses on a study of residential types and architectural styles. Along with the general aesthetics, students should also learn the laws of barrier-free design. This type of design is a study of spaces for individuals who are wheelchair-bound or otherwise handicapped.

What types of opportunities and salaries are typically available upon graduation?
Entry level positions for Interior Design graduates include Assistant Designer, Facility and Space Planner, or Draftsperson. After gaining some experience, graduates may develop into Senior Designers or Project Directors. Or, you may catch the entrepreneurial bug and decide to venture out on your own!

Salaries for Interior Design graduates vary with experience, skill, and position desired. On average, entry-level salaries for Interior Designers are typically in the mid-twenties. As you grow within your field, your salary will reflect the quality of your work and your drive to succeed!

Editorial provided by Judi A. Argust, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at The Art Institute of Philadelphia.