How to Become an Interior Designer

Interior design shapes how people experience all sorts of spaces; for example, homes, businesses, and hospitals. Interior designers select furnishings, lighting arrangements, and layouts for indoor spaces.

Unlike interior decorating, which focuses exclusively on furnishings, interior designers consider a whole space, and they integrate architectural features into their designs. And unlike architects, who design the structure of buildings, interior designers focus on a space’s look and feel.

Working closely with clients, interior designers create practical and beautiful indoor spaces. They analyze blueprints and work within building codes to design welcoming spaces. Interior designers choose the color scheme for a residence or building, determine the lighting needs, and select furnishings.

At the beginning of a project, interior designers meet with clients to understand their needs. Then, they create sketches for their design. With an approved design, these artistic professionals source materials like flooring, wall finishes, furniture, and fixtures.

Interior designers also coordinate with contractors and architects. Interior designers make sure to complete their projects under strict timelines and budgets.

Interior designers work in design firms, architectural offices, and their own firms. Some interior designers also work in wholesale trade or furniture stores.

The work setting affects the designer’s schedule and responsibilities. Freelance interior designers set their own hours, but they must also recruit clients. Designers employed by a design firm benefit from more stability.

Many interior designers work in offices while making on-site visits as part of their design process. Because they work closely with clients and devote time to sourcing unique furnishings, interior designers often travel as part of their job. The career may also require evening and weekend hours to meet with clients.

Interior designers bring soft skills and hard skills to their role. Designers need a strong artistic eye and a creative approach to design. Clients also look for design professionals with solid communication and interpersonal skills. An important part of the job is interacting with clients and collaborating with architects, designers, and engineers.

Hard skills — like knowledge of design software programs and computer-aided design — help interior designers earn their license. The career also requires strong project management skills and business knowledge. Many interior designers launch their own firms, which requires training in negotiation, finance, and business.

Interior design appeals to many people. But what should you know before pursuing an interior design career? While researching how to become an interior designer, consider the following topics.

I have been known to share tears of joy when we reveal a project with a client. It is the most rewarding part of a project, to see clients so happy and share that moment when it all comes full circle.

The same clients I share tears of joy [with] are the same clients whose graduation parties I attend, family birthday celebrations, and even travel with. Having a business that turns clients into friends is a gift that keeps giving!

The most challenging aspect of this industry is educating clients [about] not only the design process, but also why every designer has a different fee method, process of procurement, etc. It’s confusing for the consumer to understand why pricing is so random and why everyone seems to have such varied business plans. It’s a hurdle that certainly can be overcome, but it makes our industry look a bit unorganized.

The successful designer is one who understands how to run a business and has a degree in interior design from an accredited program.

As in most industries, a designer must respond to what the consumers are asking for. Not necessarily what kind of sofa or table, but contracts, liabilities, resources, pricing, and more.

The old saying “The devil is in the details” certainly applies to interior design! So if a person is hoping for pretty fabrics, wallpapers, and only yeses from their clients, this is not the business for them!

A typical day is never the same. As I have shared with students, interior design is 20% design and 80% admin.

I prefer to spend most of my time working with clients directly, visiting sites, and specifying product, but many times I am working with my vendors to hash out custom details, negotiate pricing, etc.

We tend to work 9-5, or later if we have a deadline. As the owner and lead designer, I will also put in half a day on the weekend when all is quiet to work on a project or other tasks.

Here in Santa Fe, I have an assistant designer who graduated in architecture and is well versed not only in CAD, but also in finishes and space planning, which helps tremendously with our construction projects.

Additionally, I have a project manager who keeps proposals, purchase orders, and invoices flowing, not to mention accounting.

We are currently looking for a new design assistant, but needless to say, it’s been challenging to hire in the past year.

On a daily basis, I utilize my diplomatic skills! Whether it’s with a client, a vendor, or staff. One of the most important tools in my toolbelt is the relationships I have cultivated in my decades of being in this industry. This truly enables us to get things done, meet deadlines etc. Without the personal relationships, it’s a very different scenario, trying to run a successful business with just a phone.

In addition to that, I enjoy the selling process. If the ideas don’t turn into dollars, then there really is no business.

So often, in many disciplines, there is much practical knowledge that is not taught in schools. I think this is a big problem that interior design curriculums need to pay attention to.

I believe that instead of one design curriculum that fits all, there should be three: residential, commercial, and technical presentation. In this way, each student will have the benefit of taking marketing, business law, accounting for business, etc.

If we can emphasize the business end of the profession, I believe we will be graduating more business-minded designers, which in turn will enable more designers to be successful in the industry.