Design Career Tips from Successful Designers
by Joe Cooperjoe.cooper@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
You don't have to design the latest hotel to be a great designer. Here are some interior design career tips taken from observing the career of a couple of designers in the Midwest who are growing their design business in some key ways.
Interior designers Tricia Beaudet and Shannon Piwinski own their own interior design business in Michigan. True, Michigan may not be the center of the design world, but they're doing their part. In fact, they're growing their business.
Different Types of Design
Here are a few tips for future designers that Ms. Beaudet and Ms. Piwinski have used to be successful with their own firm:- Work with housing developers. Despite the slow-down in the real estate market, house builders are still building. Condo sales have performed much better than single family home sales, and these complexes typically need designers.
- Become a renovation consultant. Many homeowners are choosing to remodel their home in place of, or even before, selling it. This could be a great way to grow your design business, even if the project is small. From single rooms to entire homes, renovation consultations can be a good way to earn some basic income.
- Work with medical institutions. Although the challenges of budget and timeline can be strict with medical institution projects, they can offer a great way to add a large-scale project to your resume. And relationships with public housing and facility builders are typically some of the best relationships to have.
Don't be Afraid to Decorate
In your design career, and especially as a young designer, you should not be afraid of interior decorating. Some designers fear they may get pigeonholed, and are less interested in furnishings than floorplans. But interior decorating can be a great way to meet developers, agents, and grow your network.About the Author
Joe Cooper writes home services and design articles and manages corporate communications. He holds a bachelor's degree in American literature from UCLA.
Previous: Color, Material, and Education: All Tools of the Interior Decorator
Next: Interior Decorating Tips from the Pros
Back to News Archive
Want to suggest interior design news or links?
