Interior design is a creative career path that lures many imaginative people. However, interior design is more than just rearranging furniture and considering shape and color. Interior designers are not just room decorators. Rather, they design spaces, sometimes from the ground up, and usually require a challenging interior design education to become truly successful.
The job of an interior designer is a lot more technical than many people realize. The main task of the designer is to draw up the blueprint of a room. This can include the placement of walls and stairs, the type and positioning of light fixtures, and the laying of tile, carpet, or wood flooring. All of these decisions must be made before window treatments, furniture, or accessories can even be considered.
Programs of study in interior design education are usually very competitive. This is because many of the programs are small, usually including only a few hundred students in total at any one time and consisting of maybe a dozen or so faculty members. As with many rewarding career paths, upper level courses in interior design are often very challenging. The small class sizes typical of these programs greatly benefit students as they learn the more difficult skills of drawing and drafting.
Many interior designers work commercially, designing spaces for corporate business or hospitality. Others may work in home furnishing stores, for interior design services firms, or freelance, working from their home or personal company offices. Some interior designers also work part-time, doing residential design projects in their spare time.
Salaries for interior designers vary widely and often depend on the amount of interior design education a graduate has achieved. Degrees available include Associate’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, and Master’s of Fine Arts Degrees. Most states have strict policies about testing and licensing for interior designers after graduation. It’s a good idea to speak to a school counselor about these requirements prior to completing a program.
