How to become an Interior Designer, Part 1! (path)

This is Part 1. Choosing your path as interior designer.
Jump link to Part 2. How to choose the right school to study interior design?

Jump link to Part 3. How to Graduate with First class degree in interior design

So, you want to be an interior designer? When people ask
me what I do for living, after my answer, they usually say 2 things,

1.Oh, You
can design my home.

2.Oh, I always wanted to be designer but I …(multiple
answers here). I think any interior designer will find these familiar. In this
post I wanted to explain how to become interior designer. When I decided, I want
to be designer, I had no clue, where to start, what type of designer I want to
be. I was confused. I hope, I will help you to understand the design world a
little more. Interior Design is the most amazing part of my life, and I am so
glad I have chosen this as my career. It’s the most rewarding job in the world.
You will not only get paid for something you love, but you can be as creative
as you want, and seeing happy people’s faces is the best feeling ever!

I’ll start with very important thing. What type of interior
designer you want be? You have to ask this yourself. There are small
differences that may determine, of what type interior designer you will be.
Here, your personality is very important as well.

I have divided the interior design types in 5 categories.

1.
Domestic (residential) interior designer

2.
Commercial(corporate) interior designer

3.
Interior Architect

4.
Lighting interior designer (not engineer)
5. Interior stylist

Domestic Interior designer or interior decoration (don’t confuse
with decorators itself like plasterers, tilers etc.)These designers’ works with
clients face to face to a specific budget .Mostly, they work from home if
self-employed, but there are companies that specialise in domestic interiors and
works in a team. Projects include not only houses, but also home-shows. Domestic/residential
interior designer is responsible for picking all finishes, like flooring,
fittings, paints and furnishing, also they use scale ruler often and
traditional calculating methods. As a standard, they produce plans, mood boards
and visuals. These are often hand-made and hand sketched. I personally love the
hand sketched style of visuals. Many domestic interior designers won’t use
professional software’s; however independent self-employed designers can use
them, so it really depends of skills. Professional companies use software’s and
3D visuals and often combine them with the hand-sketched skills. Domestic
interior designer will ‘’take over’’ an architect submitted plans, and will
guide builders, electricians etc. Being a domestic interior can be challenging,
and you have to be ‘’people person’’ here. It’s client’s own, individual space
and sometimes it can be very difficult. People are unsure, change their minds. I
think emotions can be stronger than working in a commercial interior design, as
people are more sensitive and personal of course. On a positive note, if you
have the right personality, you are more likely to earn more, and make good
friends. Designer receive trade discounts when specifying furniture, flooring
etc. it can be 5% to 40% (may be higher sometimes). If you play your cards
right, you will not only earn your money by charging client per hour but also
from the discounts. The higher the budget, the more you earn.

Commercial or corporate interior designer. Usually they work from a large or small office, for different size companies. There are of course
individuals working from home, but all commercial designers knows that in this
type of job team work is the best thing.
Commercial interior covers a wide range, from office, retail, hospitality to education. Here, you can be
shop fit-out designer or visual merchandiser in furniture store/showrooms or
restaurant and hotel designer. Educational design covers anything from schools,
universities to primary schools but charity centres as well. Office designer
will again, design public space rather home office and can be anything from
small office to large call centre. Office designer often has workplace
consultant in his title. This would be
more job for a person, who is more introverted, as you most the time spend in
office. This would still involve speaking to clients, presenting your ideas,
taking briefs etc. so you do need good interpersonal skills and great manners. Commercial
interior designer most likely will be working close with project managers,
architects and builders and delivering technical drawings, 3D drawings, and
professional realistic visuals. There are still many interior practises that
use traditional methods of visuals using hand sketches so this skills are still
required regardless the type of interior you will work with. It also requires you
to source lighting, furnishing & finishes. In commercial projects, clients
are more open to new ideas and let you be more creative. It’s not as personal
as domestic. You are creating workplaces and spaces that improve human
performance and well-being, so psychology is involved in here as well.

Interior architects. This is more down to a qualifications
and skills. It basically contain the 2 descriptions above. You can be interior
architect for either residential projects or commercial spaces. Interior architect
will have more architecture background. You will have deeper knowledge about
buildings, materials, fixtures and fittings than Ba Hons Interior designer.
This is perfect for those more interested in structures, installations and
building renovations etc. You can also be qualified interior designer and
working as interior architect, if you gained knowledge and skills required by
working close with architect. Interior architects are also often involved in
picking finishes and of course producing drawing and visuals but these are more
detailed on a technical side. Interior architects also will work more in
environmental friendly projects, making sure there is a balance between use of
materials, the surrounds of the building and general eco side. All three above
will also provide client with costing and schedule of the project making sure
everything is running smoothly.

Lighting designer doesn’t have to particularly design the products;
lighting & lamps itself. You can be lighting designer working from a
lighting design practice. This is very similar to working as interior designer
but you will more work with the interior designer itself helping them to create
the ambience and make sure there are enough light required, but also creating stunning
lighting effects.

Lighting designers also brings the cost effective solutions
to projects and maximize energy efficiency. You will still work in particular
software and produce Cad drawings, visuals etc. This would be perfect for
someone who doesn’t particularly like some aspects of being an interior
designer. You won’t need to worry about furniture or flooring here. A high
level of creativity is still required here.Interior stylist. This is another interior design part and path you can choose but it’s more of a temporary type of interiors. This s ore of a dressing the room rather designing from scratch, although interior stylist are often given the room and can select the furniture and accessories and make the room real. After the room is designed and set up. interior stylist will photograph the space for marketing, like magazines, TV adverts, etc. the list is long.

Ok, once I explained who is who, now time to pick the right
school! Jump to ”How to choose the right school to study interior design?”