Before Your First Job: Interior Design Career Tips
by Joe Cooperjoe.cooper@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
Starting a successful career in interior design involves far more than just knowing how to furnish a room. Here are three tips for future designers on what to study and keep in mind as you enter this exciting, competitive industry.
Design Education
Before you begin to look for work, keep in mind that even entry-level interior design jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Many employers of interior designers also require state certification (about half the U.S. states offer it). While there are many ways to enter a successful interior design career, attending interior design school is an excellent first step. Design school offers the chance to learn industry trends alongside interior design fundamentals and specialties.Green Design
A background in environmentally friendy interior design techniques can pay off in a design career. Knowing how to use sustainable materials, heat conservation, and other green design concepts can help you cater to eco-conscious residential clients, as well as corporate clients looking to create energy-efficient office space.One Seattle design school, for example, offered green design touches to one of its recent projects, the Trace Warehouse redesign in Seattle's 12th-and-Madison neighborhood. Douglas Fir flooring, recycled vinyl bathroom tile, and natural stone countertops are just some of the sustainable materials used in the remodel. Interior Design Entrepreneurship
Many designers also establish their own firms, an endeavor that requires a great deal of preparation and know-how. Michael Herold, a home furnishings store manager in Pennsylvania, told PhillyBlurbs.com that the secret to creating a successful interior design business involves telling a story with your products. Interior design school courses in retail and business can help you learn to source materials, set prices, and inspire home design in order to tell a successful retail story.
So there you have it: just three quick tips to keep in mind when considering an interior design career. Even if green design and entrepreneurship aren't your strong points, interior design school can help you strengthen these skills, or pursue other interior design specialties that better suit your interests.
Sources
About author:
Joe Cooper writes fashion and design articles and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.
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