Searching For An Interior Design Job

Use your interior design education to get that interior design job that you covet. If you have ever looked at a room or living space and felt that, you could make it more livable and attractive then maybe interior design is for you.

If you have a flair for creativity and are not afraid to express your ideas then an interior design job is just what you need. However, you cannot just go get a design job. You need the proper educational background to get your foot in the door of the industry. Once you have the interior design degree or diploma then you will be taken more seriously.

There are many top design schools in North America. Not only that but there are many online interior design schools as well. Design schools will help you unleash your creativity and show you how to use color, style, fabrics, accessories, lighting, paint and furnishings that reflect your personality and the personality of your clients.

If you are not specifically looking for an interior design job but would rather start your own Interior Design company, you are still going to need a proper education in Interior Design. An education will provide you with skills and confidence that you will need in pursuing your career in the exciting and challenging world of Interior Design.

Enrolling in an Interior Design program really has no prerequisites except basic artistic and creative ability. If you feel that attending school is just out of the question due to family or work commitments consider taking an online interior design program that lets you interact with instructors and other students on your own time. It is a great way to further your education to get that dream interior design job.

There is more to interior design than just decorating a room, which is essentially interior decorating. Interior Design is more of a process of drawing on the environment, architecture and product design. Interior decorating is more along the lines of simply decorating a living space. Interior Designers are professionally trained in the art of Interior Design.

To get that dream interior design job it also helps immensely if you have contacts in the field. If you are just starting out, consider volunteering at a large design firm to get valuable experience and a chance to make some contacts in the interior design industry.

When you are searching for your interior design job, do you have an idea or preference as to what area of design you would like to get into? Would you prefer residential or commercial? It is thought that commercial is a more lucrative area of interior design. Alternatively, would a more specialized area of design like healthcare or restaurant design be more interesting for you?

With the increase in the aging of the population, there is a need for more care and living spaces for the elderly. This could be an area of rapid growth for the interior designer, thus keep this in mind when searching for your interior design job.

To get started on your interior design career, enroll in an accredited Interior Design school today. Once you've graduated you are well on your way to your dream interior design job.

Interior Design Considerations For Improving Office Productivity

Companies often look for ways in which they can assist employees do their jobs better to increase productivity and therefore the bottom line. However, one area which isn't explored enough by businesses is the space in which the work is carried out - the architecture, furniture and interior design of an office can have a profound effect on the people working within it.

One such example is the offices of Interpolis, a large insurance company, in Tilburg, Holland. By redesigning the 7000 square metre space, productivity increased by 20 per cent and sick leave was reduced from nine per cent to just two and a half.

Although the cost of employing an interior design company is not as great as many may think, it is beyond some companies' reach, especially to completely redesign such a large space like Interpolis' offices. Therefore, a leading European design house has here detailed two specific areas to consider when redecorating or remodelling your company's work space.

Consider the activities that are undertaken - by primarily focusing on the jobs that the work force do you may find that it's not necessary for an employee to sit at the same desk all day, every day. Offering an environment that is the most suitable for specific tasks helps to make the worker be more comfortable and will often enable them to do that job quicker and to a high standard. For example, sometimes colleagues work together on tasks, so is a set desk layout conducive to this type of collaborative work? Brainstorming sessions or meetings could be carried out in a space that is more relaxed, resulting in higher creativity levels, whilst for activities that require a lot of concentration could be better undertaken in an explicitly quiet zone.

Consider the psychology of colour - because colour travels in waves from the sun and the energy from light is absorbed through the eyes it stimulates certain glands, which in turn control some of the body's systems. Therefore, the colour of an environment can affect mood and impact on the ability to undertake a task. Bright oranges, reds and pinks are stimulating colours that can increase ones heart rate so these would not be good colours to use if the task in hand requires calmness. Whilst yellow is a warm colour, it is strenuous to the eye due the light it reflects and can create frustration; it may not be the right colour for a collaborative space or one that employees would use for prolonged periods. Blue is often used in offices because it is serene and research has shown that people are more productive in rooms decorated in blue. Pink is calming for during initial exposure and greens can be stress relieving.

Is an Interior Design Career Right For Me? - And Where Do I Start?

"How do I get into Interior Design?" There's no one-size-fits-all answer (thankfully!). Few careers require such a unique blend of artistic and technical skills, but Interior Design comes in enough flavors to suit diverse skill sets and personalities.

In General, the profession falls into two distinct categories: Interior Decorating and Interior Design. They are both completely viable avenues and there are many professionals with successful careers in each.

"Interior Decorating": If you prefer residential interiors, and enjoy focusing on furnishings and decor rather than space planning and codes, there are many satisfying and profitable options to explore and Interior Decorating may be your perfect fit. College is not Required, ( but you need to be aware of the laws regulating the practice of ID in your state). Some great options: Decorating for individual home owners, home staging, interior re-design, working within a design/decorating firm or on your own, working for or with builders preparing model homes, or apartment/condo/townhome leasing companies to name a few.

So how do I get there?? - As with anything, the key to your success will be your motivation and commitment! The more you are willing to put in the more you will achieve. The most straight forward way to start is to take classes at a university or community college, but if you aren't in a position to go to school right now, there are still some very practical steps you can take. The Hardest Part is Just Getting Started - SO......GET STARTED!!! There are many paths, but here's a suggested 6-step Action Plan to get you going:

  1. Self-Study - not an online degree (Avoid those completely for Interior Design), but rather to use the available free and low cost resources in a focused, disciplined, and intentional way in order to familiarize yourself with design concepts and to develop practical skills. These resources will not, of course, replace a university degree... but they will help you to explore real issues and topics which designers face on a daily basis (not the 'fluff' seen on TV and in magazines). Some of these skills can legitimately be included on a resume as you seek entry-level design jobs in order to set yourself apart. This is a great first step for those anxious to get started towards their dream, but who can't yet leave an existing job... or for an at-home parent to learn skills on your own schedule...Some examples of free study options are: learn 3d modeling and rendering with Google Sketch-up; learn AutoCad basics - get a starter book, even buy it used, then download a 30 day Acad trial; There are some well done free CEU opportunities aimed at Architects and Designers, but you don't have to be a professional to take them...
  2. Read - Read anything that catches your interest involving Design. This can be library books, grocery store magazines, websites, etc... Fluff is OK here; just absorb all you can about trends, opinions and beautiful design, just keep it in its place and don't let this consume all your time.
  3. Work with a purpose -Secure your first job in a design related area while continuing steps 1 and 2. This may be something you do just a few hours a week in addition to an existing job or while a spouse is home with the kids - be creative and be flexible! this is just a stepping stone!
  4. Build your Resume' and Portfolio
  5. Make your move
  6. Keep Learning!

"Interior Design": Does this sound more like you? Most of the designers and architects I've known are a unique blend of contradicting characteristics. Most have strong creative/artistic components (obviously), but usually also have a keen ability to solve problems and make order out of chaos in three dimensional space. We are usually less thoroughly 'rightbrain' than our artist friends, having varying (often high) degrees of affinity for numbers, science, and geometry. If this sounds familiar, Interior design might be your perfect fit.

Interior design includes the subset of decorating of course, but goes further. More and more in this competitive environment it's expected that an individual working under the title of "Interior Designer" has at least an associate's degree (with Bachelor's preferred) and has a certain minimum of work experience; many states have some form of licensing requirement. Regardless of your state's requirements, it is difficult to be competitive in the field without the accepted qualifications especially if you want to work on commercial projects or with an architectural firm. Steps To Become an Interior Designer:

  1. Achieve a combination of Education and work experience, as prescribed by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). There are (at the time of this writing) 5 'routes' to choose from in order to qualify to sit for the NCIDQ exam...in general,the more design related education you have, the fewer years of work experience is required
  2. Pass the NCIDQ exam...
  3. Register with your state (if required).

Do You Know What Interior Design Work Is?

Interior design begins with a style and a color palette. From there, furniture, flooring, window furnishings, rugs, architectural detailing and other features are added to improve functionality and build upon theme. Often a commercial professional in this field will be employed pre-construction to ensure than windows, stairwells, escalators, walkways and rooms are located in optimal places. To become an interior designer, one must obtain a Bachelor's Degree and participate in several years of apprenticeship work.

When a professional interior designer gets started, he or she begins by assessing the client's wants and needs. They examine budgets, look at lifestyle, scrutinize the home for wasted space, seek color or style preferences and identify pros and cons of the current interior space.

Next, the designer will estimate the costs and create a design image with computer-aided interior design software. After presenting the proposal, the client will either approve or deny the sketches. Then it is either time to implement the project or "go back to the old drawing board," as they say.

There are several different realms for professionals in this field to focus their sights. For instance, some designers work at furniture, home or garden stores selling merchandise and recommending color and theme options. Other times, interior designers may run their own businesses as consultants, with administrative assistants onboard to order samples, liaise with contractors and draw up documents.

Some designers focus on office interior design or commercial interior design, while others specialize in custom designs for individuals or realtors trying to stage homes for sale. Special certification may be acquired for kitchen or bathroom design. Other designers may be masters of acoustics and soundproofing, security, home theaters, home spas or gardens.

According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average annual income for interior design professionals is around $42,260. The middle 50% earned between $31,830 and $57,230, with the lowest 10% earning $24,270 and the highest percentile earning over $78,760. Architectural and engineering designers earned the highest salaries, with specialized interior design services right behind. Furniture stores and building supply dealers garnered most of the lower salaries. The income a professional interior designer makes largely depends upon the years of experience, specialization, reputation and employer.

Interior Design Education

Interior design education programs provide training and skills in a variety of disciplines in relation to the fascinating field of interior design. An interior design education allows prospective interior designers to determine a client's needs, draft aesthetic design concepts that are both functional and in accordance with standards and codes, present final designs for approval, and partner with other professional services (e.g., electrical, mechanical, etc.) to enhance the functionality and quality of interior living spaces.

In a vocational school, students can gain a professional education in architecture, basic engineering, computer aided design (CAD), textiles, drawing, ergonomics, furniture design, perspective and spatial planning.

Many postsecondary schools that offer an interior design education will award degrees or professional certificates. Upon successful completion, graduates can go on to an apprenticeship program, after which they may take a national licensing exam from the NCIDQ (National Council Interior Design Qualification) to become a certified, licensed or registered Interior Designer. (Licensing requirements and titles may vary from state to state.) In addition, many professionals will seek continuing education courses to maintain licensure.

A quality arts and design education enables the graduate to work in several design industries, including architecture, engineering, fashion, furniture manufacture, and other related design fields. Of course, the professional interior designer with an advanced interior design education may opt to become an entrepreneur and create their own line of products and/or services for consumers and commercial markets. While earnings vary depending on level of training and experience, salaries may be as high as $70,000 or more annually.

If you are interested in the creative field of interior design, apply to vocational schools, colleges and universities offering interior design education today!

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