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General Description

This is an ideal career for a creative thinker. As an interior designer your job is concerned with provision and execution of designs for the interiors of buildings. This involves all aspects of the interior environment including structural alterations, fixtures and fittings, furnishings, space decorating, lighting, and colour and texture schemes.

Career Advice - Interior Designer Career

Interior design is also referred to as interior architecture because you are trained to consider the modification of the interior structure of the building rather than just refinishing and furnishing existing spaces. You plan space allocation, traffic flow, building services, furniture, fixtures, furnishings and surface finishes and consider the purpose, efficiency, comfort, safety and aesthetic of interior spaces to arrive at an optimum design.

You can specialise on the appearance of a space, rather than the structure. You work closely with architects and clients to ensure your design suits the structure of the interior and the needs of its occupants. But you do more than design; you have a solid understanding of materials, installation procedures, budgets, maintenance, electrical capacity, safety and construction. You work either as a consultant or with a design group in commercial, industrial, leisure, or domestic settings, and manage a project from start to finish.

What you do every day

Your work day as an interior designer will largely depend on the nature of your current project. You may undertake a range of tasks, including meeting with clients and architects be briefed on the objectives and safety of the assignment; creating designs that are both practical, look great and are on budget; arrange specifications for materials, lighting, furnishings, equipment, and construction; research project related information and photograph; producing sample boards and colour palettes; estimating costs and arranging and administering tenders and contacts.

You may then create detailed working drawings, designs, plans, models and schemes, possible using computer-aided design software; organise supplies; brief and supervise tradespeople; and monitor time, cost, and quality.

You will generally work with professionals who specialise in areas such as electrical, mechanical and structural design, fire, and hydraulics. You will also need to keep up to date with advancements and changes in the design industry.

Personality that best fits this career

Interior design requires strong artistic, creative and technical skills, involving an aptitude for computer-aided design (AutoCAD). You will need the ability to turn abstract ideas and concepts into concrete designs, which requires accurate and detailed technical drawing skills. Sound spatial awareness is important, along with imagination and a flair for creativity. 

Communication skills are important, since you will have to incorporate your client’s needs and ideas into your planning. You will often be dealing with suppliers, contractors, architects and other professionals. You may go through multiple design stages, redrafting and making alterations, and so patience and problem-solving skills are necessary. During the design process, you will draw on your ability to concentrate and stay organised, as well as to manage your time effectively.

The ability to manage a project, work independently, or in a team are all vital skills. Considering the tough competition in this industry, you will need ambition, motivation and dedication to succeed. If you’re self-employed, business acumen, tact and flexibility is necessary to deal with a range of clients.

Best thing about this career

The best aspect of being an interior designer is the freedom to be creative and imaginative and getting paid to do it. You can watch your ideas take form as you develop your designs through their various stages. Nothing beats the pride and satisfaction of seeing your imagined designs come to life. Your creativity will impact others, as you help them create brighter, unique and more personalised interior spaces. It is rare any two projects will be the same, and this brings constantly challenging and varied work.

Worst thing about this career

All artists have their creative blockages, and under the pressure of deadlines, you may find it difficult to come up with new and original designs. Contrastingly, everyone thinks they are creative and have good taste and you will encounter fussy and demanding clients, who do not necessarily appreciate or approve of your designs.

The interior design industry is very competitive, and so finding success within the field takes time. You may spend years struggling on low wages and uninspiring jobs before you get any kind of recognition. You will be dealing with the finest products of their type, and recognizing you cannot afford them personally can be more than a tad unsettling.