By skyforbes 
Hey future designer,
Listen up!
If the thought of working in the interior design industry excites you, then you might just have the makings of a future Design Great. But here’s the deal—it’s going to take more than just an interest in interior design to become even a halfway decent designer. You’re going to have to learn a lot and put in the work.
What is Design?
To design is to research, create, and execute a plan. A person “who designs” develops a detailed set of instructions, enabling that plan to be carried out. The plan is typically tailored to meet specific requirements, guided by the needs of the design client.
When creating plans for something, like a building, we rely on the expertise of educated professionals to take preexisting conditions and transform them into their best possible outcome.
In short, we need someone to create something out of nothing.
This process is called design.
What is a Designer?
The talented individuals inventing new schemes, systems, and products are designers—people who create detailed plans to meet a specific set of requirements.
Designers can work on anything from creating simple products, like lemon squeezers, to orchestrating entire systems, such as museum or gallery planning.
The Interior Designer
The plans an interior designer works with are specific to their role within each project.
In other words, every project is different, and so are the plans created for each design.
An interior designer is responsible for executing a design solution for an interior space within a structure—typically a building. These spaces can range from dental offices to public libraries.
Plans often start as Design Proposals and evolve into Design Directives after many iterations. They include written, graphic, and technical drawings, along with extensive product and material data.
How to Know If You Should Be a Designer
Should you be a designer? Glad you asked.
Whether you’re leveraging a broad interest in interior design or harnessing some serious raw design talent, this article will help you figure out if you’re truly a good fit for a career in interior design.
We’ll explore whether it’s really interior design that calls to you—or if perhaps another design discipline, such as architectural design, digital design, or industrial design, might suit you better.
Even within interior design itself, there are various specialties, and each requires different levels of education and expertise. Ready to dive in? Let’s find out where your design passion lies!
The Perks of Being an Interior Designer
So, you want to be a designer.
From the outside, it looks like a rad gig:
Shopping with other people’s money.
Creating dream spaces.
Working with celebrities.
Getting your work published in Architectural Digest, Dezeen, and ArchDaily.
Where’s the catch?
Weigh the Pros Against the Cons
Sure, the perks of working in interior design are fantastic, but it’s important to balance them against the realities of the industry.
Before diving headfirst into an expensive design education, it’s just smart to explore all your options and make sure it’s the right fit for you!
Diversification Within the Interior Design Field
Yes, there’s no denying it: a lot of what interior designers do is downright fun, especially if you’re a creative type.
The prospect of earning a great income while working on exciting projects, traveling, and even visiting exotic locations are all perks that come with the territory of interior design.
What’s more, the profession is incredibly diverse, offering you plenty of ways to specialize. Here are just some of the options:
Interior Design Industry Specializations
- Architectural Design
- Bar and Nightclub Design
- Color Consultancy
- Digital Modeling (i.e., for computer games and 3D virtual worlds)
- Interior Architecture
- Interior Design B2B Service
- Interior Design Consultancy
- Exhibition (Trade Shows) Design
- FF&E Design
- Hospitality (Hotels, Resorts) Design
- Interior Design Media
- Medical Design
- Real Estate Development Design
- Office and Workspace Design
- Public Sector (Government) Design Consultant
- Restaurant Design
- Retail Design
- Set Design (Theater and Movies)
- Spatial Planning Services
- Staging (Temporary Designs) Services
- Visualization and Rendering Services
After graduating with a degree in interior design, the world feels like your oyster… Right?
Advice: Do Your Homework Research
Let’s be real for a moment.
No one knows exactly what your path to becoming a designer will look like, because it’s different for everyone. However, before diving into something as big as an interior design education, it’s crucial that you fully understand what you’re getting yourself into.
Education and Post-Graduation
There are key aspects about the education process, the industry, and your post-graduation options that you need to be aware of. You’ll need to educate yourself—about getting that education and about what your path looks like after you graduate.
Self Study
If self-study is a serious option for you based on where you live, then it’s time to take that path seriously, too. Make sure you know exactly what you’re aiming for, and ensure that your chosen path will actually get you there.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming an Interior Designer
Practical
- What kind of place do you see yourself working at in the future?
- Are you aiming to build your own design empire?
Having a strong motivation or a clear “reason for doing it” is a great foundation before diving into learning design.
Personal
- Why is design important to you?
- What can you envision yourself doing every day?
- Would you genuinely enjoy the work? Would it energize you?
- Does practicing interior design align with your personal values?
- Is interior design a good fit for your temperament and personality?
Speaking for myself, I love solving three-dimensional design problems in SketchUp and designing “off the cuff.”
Becoming a Designer
Can you handle correction and being wrong?
Are you prepared for the difficult aspects?
(The parts that almost no one enjoys?)
Are you ready to put in the hard work and grind for a long time before seeing any major payoffs?
Are you prepared to make mistakes along the way?
Fun is Not Always an Option
Understand that you won’t always enjoy every aspect of what you do.
To become a great designer, you’ll need to stay committed to the becoming process.
We’re always evolving as designers. That’s the job.
We take the difficult parts along with the fun, and we get better. The better we get, the more creative freedom we gain!
Commitment to Learning
For interior designers, just like many other post-modern professionals, learning never truly ends.
With technology advancing rapidly, our industry has to evolve to keep up with the latest tools, trends, and innovations.
As designers, it’s crucial to stay current in order to remain relevant.
The Challenges of the Interior Design Industry
Every industry has its pros and cons, and interior design is no exception.
One of the biggest challenges facing interior designers today stems from ecological concerns related to the building industry, and these are very real, pressing issues.
The question you need to ask yourself is: Can you enter an imperfect industry, navigate its challenges, and work toward creating a better, more sustainable system?
The Designers of the Future
This is what we need from the designers of the future:
We need designers who refuse to accept the status quo.
We need people committed to ensuring that the future of both our species and our planet is not only sustainable but thriving.
It’s essential to move forward with confidence, knowing that we have the power to make a difference, and that we will apply our design skills with the precision and finesse required to create the best possible solutions.
We must put the planet, people, and design first—and execute our vision with unwavering commitment and precision.
Hedonistic Sustainability
Saving the planet doesn’t have to mean compromising as designers or limiting our potential to create extraordinary work.
Consider the hedonistic sustainability philosophy that the brilliant Danish architect Bjarke Ingels applies in his projects. It’s a mindset that shows how we can embrace sustainability while also enhancing the quality and experience of our designs. We can create beautiful, functional spaces that benefit the planet while enriching lives—proving that great design and sustainability can, and should, go hand in hand.
Designers Must Take Action
The future urgently calls for designers who are ready to take action—designing projects sustainably and transforming outdated systems that are in dire need of replacement.
A better future must be designed.
Are you ready to be a part of the revolution? To use your skills to not only shape spaces but to solve real-world challenges?
By learning design, you’re acquiring the tools to help steer humanity away from a dangerous path in our evolutionary history. The actions of interior design specialists today hold the power to tip the scales toward a fully sustainable future.
This movement will require leadership by example. Let’s work together to build a future where sustainability and design excellence go hand in hand.
Understanding Different Design Roles and Professions
While interior design is an exciting and fulfilling career, it’s just one of many creative paths within the broader field of design. Whether you’re drawn to fashion, industrial design, graphic design, or even more niche areas, there are countless opportunities to apply your creativity and skills.
In this section, we’ll explore a variety of other design professions that may pique your interest and help you discover where your passion for design can lead.
Architectural Designer
Architectural designers are responsible for creating the overall vision for a building or structure, blending functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Unlike licensed architects, architectural designers may not have the same legal responsibilities, but they still play a critical role in shaping the built environment.
They work on both the exteriors and interiors of buildings, often collaborating closely with engineers, urban planners, and interior designers.
A successful architectural designer needs strong visualization skills, a solid grasp of structural principles, and proficiency with software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. They must also stay up-to-date with building codes, environmental considerations, and new architectural trends.
It’s a challenging but rewarding field that requires creativity, problem-solving, and precision to bring spaces to life from the ground up.
Fashion Designer
Fashion designers work with apparel, focusing on the function, support, and enhancement of the human body through clothing—yes, just plain old clothes. But fashion design goes far beyond making people look good.
As a fast-moving industry with a high rate of social engagement, fashion constantly evolves. The best designers may work with major fashion houses, while others might find their place at smaller firms.
Only the most brilliant and daring take the leap to start their own fashion brands—and when they do, the results can be truly outstanding.
Graphic Designer
A good graphic designer will always be in demand.
While many of us dabble in DIY graphic design, formally trained designers and industry leaders are pushing the field in exciting new directions. What’s becoming possible is evolving every day, and so is the role of a graphic designer. Whether it’s entire advertising campaigns, company branding, or motion graphics, this is a fast-paced industry.
For those who prefer a slower pace, illustration design offers a more deliberate, artistic path.
Industrial Designer
In our designed world, we encounter objects crafted by talented industrial designers constantly.
Aside from the building you’re in and the clothes you’re wearing, this type of designer likely has the most impact on your everyday life. From your furniture to your office equipment, we wouldn’t get far without the often unseen and unsung work of product designers.
This field is highly technical and demands a considerable amount of education and training.
Interior Designer
Now we come to interior design. Interior designers are more versatile than you might expect.
In design school, they learn a variety of disciplines, including interior architecture, construction, product and furniture design, and systems design like electrical, plumbing, and lighting.
This field is sometimes referred to as environmental design or interior architecture, reflecting its broad scope.
Is Universal Design a Real Profession?
What is universal design? It refers to designing with the needs of everyone in mind, including people with disabilities or those who require the use of wheelchairs or special equipment.
The term “universal” offers a great segue into another lesser-known design concept called “total design.” Coined by Bruce Mau, this term describes a designer who works across multiple design specializations.
The idea is that all designers share more in common than what separates them. Once you learn one field of design, it becomes easier to learn others.
A “total designer” might take on projects outside their original specialty, applying their skill set in new ways. By collaborating with professionals and conducting thorough research, the designer can successfully explore new possibilities through the design process, no matter the project.
What types of problems might “total designers” tackle? Almost any problem can be seen as a design problem.
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
Now that we’ve explored other types of designers, let’s circle back to interior design and why you might want to pursue this profession.
At its core, an interior designer manages building and furnishing projects for interiors from start to finish. This includes everything from conceptualizing a space to overseeing the details of construction and decoration. An interior designer doesn’t just focus on making a space look good; they ensure it functions well, meets the client’s needs, and aligns with the building’s structural and environmental considerations.
Generalists and Specialists
From finding clients to researching the project needs and coming up with design solutions, an interior designer must ensure that all aspects of a project come together for a successful outcome.
In a small interior design studio, designers often wear many hats, handling various parts of the project. In larger firms, however, designers may work in specialized departments that focus on specific tasks, such as lighting, furniture sourcing, or space planning.
It’s also possible to specialize further as an interior designer. Areas like visualization, FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) sourcing, and even architectural model-making are just a few examples of specialized paths you could take within the field.
Skills
Designers draw on a wide range of skills to carry out their work. Data collection, research, and report writing are critical for understanding project requirements, while client management and presentation skills ensure smooth communication throughout the design process.
On the technical side, designers need proficiency in manual drawing, CAD drafting, construction drawing generation, and even contract bidding.
But don’t forget the creative aspects, like color and materials selection, and even photography, which can be essential in capturing and presenting the finished work!
Interior designers rely heavily on technology to complete their projects. Specialized software like AutoCAD, Revit, 3DS Max, SketchUp, Rhino, and Maya, as well as other BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools, are essential for creating accurate and detailed designs.
In addition, proficiency in Photoshop (or equivalent software) is critical for presentation and visual layout. Designers will also work with project management software, which may vary depending on the studio or firm.
While manual drafting with a t-square and drafting table may be considered old school, it’s still a useful skill. Hand-drawing, rendering, and coloring with professional copic markers remain important for developing professional-quality sketches.
Process
The design process involves moving through a series of clearly defined steps, which typically include:
- Programming
- Concept Development
- Presentation
- Design
- Documentation
- Execution
- Evaluation
If you hate revising, modifying, and making changes, design work may not be for you. Why?
It’s rare for the first iteration of a design to be the final one. In fact, revisions and modifications are integral to the process.
The final design evolves over time, requiring constant back-and-forth between the designer, client, and various trade professionals. It’s often a lot of work, but it’s the key to achieving a successful outcome.
How to Become an Interior Designer
Personal Attributes
To succeed in interior design, you need strong people skills.
Attributes like teamwork, communication, presentation, and speaking skills are incredibly valuable.
It also helps if you’re someone who enjoys solving problems, as interior design is all about being a spatial problem solver.
If you give up easily or dislike receiving feedback on your work, interior design may not be the right fit for you.
Skills Preparation
Let’s say you haven’t been scared off yet, and you’re still with me. If you’re still excited about becoming an interior designer, what should you do next to prepare for your career?
The first and most obvious step is to start learning about your new profession.
I recommend immersing yourself in the world of interior design as much as possible:
- Go to the library and check out design books.
- Follow designers on social media.
- Read design magazines and stay up to date with industry trends.
- If possible, attend industry trade shows.
You can also take a short design course on platforms like Skillshare or explore a MasterClass taught by a top designer.
Design Education
This topic could easily go into great depth, but for now, let’s keep it simple.
When it’s time to get your education, you’ll need to know exactly what’s required to work as a professional interior designer in your country.
Some countries require a Bachelor’s degree and even additional licensing, while others have no strict rules, but the industry will still have standards in place.
It’s safest to choose a reputable, accredited course to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications. Be sure to do your homework before committing—especially if you’re planning to study online.
Certificate Courses
- Typically offered by trade schools or community colleges.
- In some places, this may be all you need.
- Courses can be as short as six months to a year.
Diploma Courses
- Generally more comprehensive and may include additional subjects outside of interior design.
- Often offered by universities.
- Available as Associate’s degrees (2–3 years) or Bachelor’s degrees (3–4 years).
Trade School
There are dedicated design schools that exist both online and at physical locations. As mentioned before, these programs typically offer certificate courses and provide focused training for those looking to enter the field quickly.
Further Education
As long as you’re in the field of interior design, it’s essential to stay current with industry trends and new technologies. The design industry is constantly evolving, and to remain competitive, interior designers need to be part of the change. Lifelong learning is a big part of ensuring your skills remain relevant.
Design Career
When pursuing a career in interior design, you can generally expect to be readily employable after graduating from a reputable design school. While there are no absolute guarantees, it’s reassuring to know that interior designers remain in demand, with job prospects looking stable for the foreseeable future.
If opportunities are limited in your current location, it may be worth considering relocating to a larger city or design-focused metropolis, where there are often more job openings and chances to gain valuable experience as a new graduate.
Design Firm
If you choose to work at a large design firm, keep in mind that your early days might not come with a paycheck—at least not right away.
Internship
Much like those lawyer internships we see on TV, you may spend your first days fetching coffee for department heads or manning the photocopier. If you’re considering an internship, it’s always a good idea to find one that pays. However, if an unpaid internship offers valuable experience or a foot in the door, aim to take advantage of it while you’re still in school.
Apprenticeship
While true apprenticeships are harder to come by these days, they still provide a real-world learning environment. If your qualifications aren’t fully developed, apprenticeship could be a great way to break into the industry. Be prepared to start from the bottom and work your way up.
Solo Practice
With the right education and training, you might feel ready to strike out on your own. The good news is that it’s now easier than ever to find clients online and establish your own design business. Whether you’re offering full-scale design services or focusing on niche projects, the digital age has opened up countless opportunities for solo designers.
Freelancing
Similarly, you could choose the flexibility of freelancing, working as a remote designer from the comfort of your home. With platforms dedicated to connecting designers with clients, there are more opportunities than ever for interior designers to work remotely and expand their reach.
Choosing Interior Design
If your answer is still yes, then congratulations! Interior design might just be the perfect fit for you after all.
I hope this article has given you the insights needed to make a more informed decision, but don’t stop here. If you’re ready to embrace the journey of becoming a future designer, don’t wait—start learning more today!
Next Steps
Don’t Miss These Helpful Articles for Your Early Stages:
I’ll be expanding this article with useful resources and more information soon, so stay tuned!
And don’t forget to sign up or drop me a line personally at [email protected] if you have any questions or ideas for future articles.
Happy design learning!
–Vonsassy