About Interior Design

Interior design is the practice of enhancing the interior of a building to make it more functional and aesthetically pleasing. The interior design industry has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar industry, creating demand for skilled professionals in this field around the world. Interior design degrees teach you about professional interior design practices. Interior design degrees are known for their rigour, and you can expect plenty of critical feedback, technical workshops and presentations. The coursework encompasses topics like space planning, 3D modelling, digital mapping, building systems, design fundamentals, sustainable practices and research methodology.

　　

Is Interior Design right for me?

Are you the go-to person in your friends or family circle for design and creativity solutions? If yes, you probably have the aptitude for interior design. Interior design is a lucrative career path and if you have the passion for it you’re, undoubtedly, on a trajectory towards a successful career.

　　To excel in interior design, you must be driven by a passion for design and creativity. Other key traits that interior designers must possess are good communication skills allowing them to coordinate with architects, contractors, vendors and clients. More importantly, they should be adept at visualisation and be able to use their spatial awareness to picture what design would suit a space best.

　　Interior designers mostly determine their own timelines as long as it fits into their client’s time frame. However, interior designers can get swamped with work near deadlines especially if they’re running their own business.

　　

Interior Design study options and costs

　　To work as a professional interior designer some post-secondary qualification is needed. There are several options available beginning from one-year diplomas and certifications in interior design which focus more on interior decorating than dealing with interior design comprehensively. You also have the option of pursuing a two-year long associate degree in Interior Design typically enough for assistant level posts. This degree is enough to grasp all the rudiments of interior design like texture, modelling, rendering, lighting and other practical skills. However, it’s only in a bachelor’s degree that students assimilate the theoretical underpinnings and the practical side of Interior Design into a robust understanding of the field as a whole. You have two options: Bachelor’s of Arts in Interior Design or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design when choosing a bachelor’s degree. These bachelor’s degrees are typically three to four years long and cost around USD28,000-35,000 per year.

　　Post-graduate education in interior design is less common than a bachelor’s; however, it can help you gain a competitive edge in the job market and open career opportunities for you in academia. A Master’s of Fine Arts in Interior Design is 2 years long. The cost of which can range from USD40,000 to 100,000 depending on the institute.

　　

Future outlook

The interior design industry is estimated to be worth USD43.3 billion. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US is expected to have 78,000 job openings for interior designers over the decade! This promises abundant opportunities for aspiring interior designers. This demand is also likely to keep salaries high — senior interior designers can earn upwards of USD90,000.

　　Currently, there is a massive demand for interior designers especially in the hospital, healthcare facility, restaurant, hotel and corporate design industry. According to the Advisory Council of International Interior Designer Association, the perceived worth of hiring interior designers is expected to increase across all markets. Interior designers who have training in green and energy-efficient design are expected to be particularly prized in the market.

　　

Career pathways for Interior Design graduates

　　

Studio Principal

　　Studio principals are the top executives in design studios and outline the design vision of the company. They oversee all the phases of a project including planning, budgeting, designing, invoicing, and installing. They are responsible for recruiting and also managing clients. This role requires at least a bachelor’s education coupled with several years of industry experience. These individuals earn on average USD115,000 per year.

Technical Designer

　　Technical designers, sometimes referred to as CAD Drafters, are specialised interior designers that have expertise in the AutoCAD software. They can use this software to design high-quality models of buildings and projects. As a technical designer it is essential to be meticulous and have organisational skills to meet deadlines. Technical designers require at least an associate degree. Their annual average income is around USD55,000.

Project Manager

　　A project manager’s role includes planning, budgeting and supervising interior design projects. They are required to prepare detailed project plans with attainable deadlines. They ensure everything including technical models, materials and labour is available to complete a project. Project managers must have leadership skills to direct their team. The average annual income of a project manager is USD82,000.

Interior Decorator

　　As an interior decorator, your job is to help your client make his space aesthetically pleasing. For this reason, you must have innate colour sense coupled with training in space planning, texture knowledge, finishing, furnishing and fixture options. Furthermore, you must have strong communication skills to communicate with clients and vendors. The average annual income of an interior decorator is USD57,000.