In HGTV's reality show Design Star, aspiring interior designers compete against each other in decorating challenges. The prize, a hosting gig on a 13-episode HGTV series, provides invaluable exposure for designers in a highly competitive field. David Bromstad, winner of season one, triumphed by completing multiple design tasks--using only supplies purchased at a pet store to design a room, boldly decorating in a red theme, and designing a room while on display in a glass house in New York City's Bryant Park.
But before any of the contestants reached this level of notoriety in design (standing out from amidst 1500 other applicants to the show), they earned their stripes through education.
Design Star Contestants Learned Their Lessons
Even in a reality show competition, where personality can often trump talent, the Design Star contestants with degrees fared better than those without them. Seven of the ten finalists had degrees in art, architecture, or design. The final three designers each held design-related degrees, while the first person eliminated from the show had no formal design education.
The variety of degrees held by the Design Star interior designers reveal that there are many educational paths to an interior design career. Twin brothers, Teman and Teran Evans, and Joseph Kennard studied architecture at Harvard. Alice Fakier, the runner-up, graduated from Louisiana Tech with an architecture degree. Third place finisher, Tym De Santo holds a bachelor's degree in art and business. Vanessa De Leon, best known on the show for creating the adjective "glamilistic," earned her degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and also teaches interior design part time in New Jersey. Winner Bromstad studied art at the Ringling School of Art and Design.
What the Contestants Are Doing Now
Bromstad's new career path is clear. He is working on his design show, which may focus on incorporating color into decorating. Four new episodes of Design Star track his path as he looks for a co-host, gets advice from the competition judges, and balances the challenges of family commitments and show hosting responsibilities.
The other designers' futures seem similarly bright. Fakier has an established interior design business called Gallimaufry Design. Tym De Santo hopes to continue his career in television now that the show is over. If unsuccessful, he can fall back on his skills in interior and furniture design. Temple McDowell, a freelance interior designer, recently led a workshop at a home improvement, decorating, and remodeling show in her home state of Utah, where she talked about her Design Star experiences. The Evans twins run a very successful fashion accessories business called Dioscuri--Oprah Winfrey is a fan of their oversized wood bangle bracelets. Whatever the future holds, appearing on Design Star should help each contestant compete in an industry in which name recognition is critical to landing new clients and carving out a unique design niche.
How You Can Get into the Design Business
While an appearance on a reality show is a good jump-start for an interior design career, most successful designers only need an associate's or bachelor's degree to get going. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests that a degree followed by an apprenticeship of one to three years with an established designer will best prepare you for a design career. In 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, you must pass a National Council for Interior Design Qualification licensing test to work as an interior designer.
With an education behind you, job prospects appear bright. The BLS projects a 9% to 17% increase in jobs for interior designers by 2014. There are around 33,915 designers now working in the United States, so by 2014, there should be between 3,052 and 5,766 new interior design jobs.
Design for the Future: Ergonomic and Green Design
Ergonomic design and green design are two interior design specialties expected to grow faster than average, according to the BLS. Ergonomic design's goal is to create the most comfortable, easy interface possible between people and their environments. Interior designers of workspaces and those working with elderly clients need to be aware of ergonomics as they plan their projects. Green designers try to work only with renewable resources so that they can minimize the impact on the environment. As concern for the environment grows, the demand for these designers should increase.
The Design Stars competed under grueling conditions--sleep and relaxation were at a minimum and stress was a constant. Though you may never face these tough challenges as an interior designer, you will be in a competitive industry. With creativity, education and passion, you could become a design star of your own.