Becoming an interior designer involves much more than simply knowing how to decorate a house. While having a creative side and a good eye for structure and design is a great start, there is a lot of training and education that goes into becoming a licensed interior decorator. For example, as an interior decorator you will need to know and understand safety codes and standards, be proficient in graphic designing software, know how to read and understand a blueprint, and know how to effectively communicate ideas to architects, engineers, and clients. This is why anyone interested in pursuing a career in interior design should plan on attending a college or university to obtain a degree in the field.
In order to be hired as an interior designer, it is suggested that you earn at least a bachelor’s degree. Those looking into a degree in design should find a college or university whose design program has been accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER). When scheduling courses of study, you should always include computer-aided design (CAD) courses as your electives. As an interior design professional you will be expected to know how to use computers to create your space plans and designs. These are very rarely drawn out by hand anymore. While attending school, you should attempt to make as many connections with people working in the field as possible. If there are any internships available you should apply for them. Often times these internships or the people you meet in them can lead to future job prospects.
Specific guidelines vary from state to state in regards to licensing requirements. You should check with your state’s regulatory agency to confirm its licensing requirements for interior designers. After you have completed your educational program and earned your degree, you will need to take and pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam. This exam is a prerequisite to your receiving a license in interior design. You should still take the exam even if your state does not require it for your licensure. You will need to pass it to be accepted in professional organizations that are the keys to the success of designers.
Another great idea for prospective interior design professionals is to subscribe to interior design and architecture magazines to keep up on the latest trends and designs. The fads and trends are constantly changing and shifting so it is important to always stay up to date. There are also many television shows that deal with home design and makeovers that can also provide fresh new ideas and concepts that can be applied to your work.
Becoming an interior designer does require a lot of commitment and hard work. You will not start making great money right away; however with a lot of dedication and perseverance you can quickly advance your career and start earning a great living. A successful designer is one that puts all of their energy and dedication into making the vision of the client become a reality.