Are you interested in a career in interior design? If so, you will be able to put your creativity to good use, no doubt, for a career as an Interior Designer will require using your imagination on a daily basis. But, what exactly will your duties entail? An Interior Designer is often hired to layout and plan how a space is to be used. They design interior spaces such as rooms within a client’s home, an office space in a commercial setting or sometimes in clinics or hospitals. Other spaces might include hotels, theaters, restaurants, airports or convention centers.
Generally, Interior Designers are self-employed, however, not always. Some work for design firms as decorators or consultants, depending on one’s education. Typically, an online Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design is required, in addition to, certification or licensure, depending on your state’s requirements.
It is also very common for Interior Designers to specialize in a specific area, however, if you choose to focus on residential and commercial applications, you will improve your chances of getting the job over your competition. Some specializations may include kitchen and bath design, lighting design, or in green, environmentally sustainable interior design. There is also a concentration in accessibility design for those who have special needs, as well as, in healthcare, government and in restoration and preservation design.
As an Interior Designer, you will be tasked with making interior spaces beautiful, as well as, functional to meet the client’s needs for space. You will need to determine the amount of space you have to work with and be able to read blueprints and understand the structural components that are considered during construction. Interior design involves technical skills which include choosing color combinations of paint, fabric and finishes that complement each other and creates a space that matches the concept of your client.
Interior Designers must work closely with architects, engineers and construction laborers and must be fluent in building codes and well-versed in safety and inspection regulations. Although architectural freehand drawing is helpful, you will also need to be competent in the latest drafting software technology available to create drawings and to build 3-D models. Through your online Bachelor’s in Interior Design program, you will learn how to research and summarize a client’s needs and develop a specific plan that creates a space that is comfortable, cozy, functional and beautiful.
Good business sense is a must. Interior Designers must prepare estimates and proposals and be prepared to give interesting and detailed presentations for the client’s review and approval. Another responsibility of an Interior Designer, (and it is a huge one), is to adhere to the client’s budget. In some cases, your vision may be more elaborate than your client’s wallet. As you hope to bring your plan to fruition for your client, you must always be respectful of their vision as well, while realizing your taste may not be the same as theirs.
The Interior Designer can envision how a space will look through their artistic skills and application to make it aesthetically pleasing to the client. They must be well-organized and have excellent oral and written communication skills. It helps to be a good problem-solver. Leadership skills are always a plus. Oh, and by the way, you must be able to work well under pressure because meeting deadlines are part of the job.
If you are interested in this field, please see our choices for the Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Interior Design Programs.