Interior Designer
I am an Interior Designer who integrates the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui into clients’ homes and businesses. My simple and elegant way of creating a special place is based on my life principles – joy, ease, and contentment.
CAREER
Interior Designers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$62,510
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+0.9% (little or no change)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Interior Designers Do
Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Other Job Titles Interior Designers May Have
Certified Kitchen Designer, Color and Materials Designer, Commercial Interior Designer, Decorating Consultant, Designer, Interior Decorator, Interior Design Consultant, Interior Design Coordinator, Interior Designer, Registered Interior Designer
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I run a business and like all business owners I pay bills, write orders, make schedules and run errands. I meet with clients to discuss their projects- it's my job to translate their ideas into a real working home. I meet with my craftspeople (builders, painters, furniture makers etc.) to keep the design on target. I work on new ideas in my studio and I go out looking for new materials/ideas to use in projects.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
- Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
- Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
- Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Interior Designers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (84%)
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Interior Design
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Interior Designer
My work is guided by my virtue; being honest, being kind, and doing the right thing. I studied Black Sect Tantric Buddhism (BTB) Feng Shui with His Holiness Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun and Ms. Katherine Metz. Finding your mantra will help you find success.
I didn't finish design school but I think it is an easier path if you have a formal design education. You can't short cut spending time learning so you might as well be around professors and others pursuing the same goal. But you are never finished - always be open to learning. Art history, photography, architecture all relate. Take classes in wood working and upholstery so you understand construction and the level of difficulty involved.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Be ready to work, and get involved early: get in touch with design and architecture outreach programs in your local city, or just reach out to architects nearby. You’ll be surprised by how willing people will be to help you out, and to explain different career paths to you. Most importantly: keep having fun!
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
