Institute for Career Research

Careers in Interior Design Institute for Career Research

CHOOSING A CAREER SHOULD BE AN EXCITING PROCESS of self-discovery. Taking a look at the things you like to do is a great way to learn a little more about yourself. What are you really good at? Answer that question and you may be on the way to the perfect career. First of all, take a look around. Not hypothetically. Take a look at the space around you. The room you are sitting in. The hallways, lobbies and other public spaces around it. Are these spaces pleasing? Do the colors work together? Is there harmony among the furniture, window treatments and architectural style? Do the various elements of the room inspire you to do something, like study, work, chat with friends, or eat? The human environment around you, known as the "built environment," did not happen by accident. It was painstakingly planned by interior designers, and you can be one of them. Most people think that all interior designers do is select paint colors and swatches of fabric that go together. Choosing pleasing color palettes is certainly one of the things that interior designers do, but that is only the beginning. Individuals and businesses hire interior designers to make sure that interior spaces not only look good, but, most importantly, encourage certain types of behavior. Classrooms are designed to encourage study. Stores are designed to encourage spending. Restaurants are designed to encourage quiet conversation. Human psychology is inherent in interior design, and it goes far beyond pairing fabrics and paints. In fact, the profession makes a distinction between interior designers and interior decorators, who tend to concentrate on adornments like color and fabrics, rather than designing complete spaces. Today's interior designers work closely with architects and engineers to make sure that interiors are taken into consideration during the critical architectural design process. They read blueprints and give architects valuable input about the placement of important features like escalators and the design of emotion-inducing spaces like lobbies. Sure, the upholstery has to go with the paint, but if a room's fundamental design is all wrong the color palette is not going to matter very much. The information in this report is designed to give you an overview of career opportunities in the world of interior design. There are sections on how to break into the business, what kind of education you will need, how much money you can expect to earn at various stages in your career, and even what you may like and dislike about a career in interior design. If you like what you read here be sure to check out the links on the last page of this report. There, you will find even more information about career opportunities in this fascinating field.