If you walk into a home or business and instantly imagine how you would re-arrange the environment to make it more comfortable, functional, and unique, you may want to join the small but growing world of interior designers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 60,000 professional interior designers in the country in 2002, and the call for their services is expected to grow through the end of the decade.
The BLS says that the need for professionals to plan home, office, retail, and hospitality structures is on the rise, and with our ever-aging population, designers for healthcare facilities and senior citizen dwellings are especially in demand.
Combining Artistic Taste and Functionality
Interior designers are a special lot: they have strong interpersonal skills, a powerful imagination, and problem-solving dexterity. While many learn their craft as interns or assistants on the job, most attend one of the 120 accredited professional programs in interior design or one of the 200 programs in art and design offered at dedicated trade schools.
There's a broad range in certifications and degrees for practicing the craft, and you can keep on learning while you're earning a living. Beginning designers may take an Associate's Degree in Applied Science to open the door to the profession. Often they add a specialization certificate in kitchen and bath design, lighting, or computer-aided drafting.
Aim as High as You Like
Depending on your career track, you may decide to focus your education on a four-year baccalaureate in interior design. Trade-specific certifications will also boost your credentials. There are registered Interior Designer or registered Residential Interior Designer designations that are supported by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.
Your depth of training and experience can take you far. But the need for qualified specialists in design separates many from the pack. Consider how much you'll need to know. A designer:
- Assesses the clients' building requirements
- Creates a series of aesthetic and functional designs
- Matches the plans with state and local building codes and with accessibility requirements
- Prepares in-depth, detailed CAD drawings or sketches for the spaces, fixtures, furnishings, materials, and lighting
- Guides construction teams
Interior designers love to see their dreams take shape. And if you're drawn to the field, you'll be glad to know that you're needed.