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Do you enjoy adorning your home? Some people are born with an artistic talent for design. If you enjoy decorating rooms and arranging furniture, an interior design career may be for you.

Interior designers are in high demand today, whether in corporate or residential settings, and it has evolved into a promising career path. Interior designers can use creative thinking and imaginative skills to transform ordinary office spaces, homes, and hotels into works of art.

Do you aspire to be an Interior Designer or are you just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve arrived at the right place! This blog discusses the career as an Interior Designer, the necessary skills, courses, salary, and other requirements for becoming an Interior Designer. To become an Interior Designer, follow the blog’s detailed guide.

What does an Interior Designer do?

Interior designers can create a variety of spaces using furniture placement, colour palettes, decorations, and functional decor — from beautiful yet functional living rooms to offices that people want and love to work in. Elements such as artwork, lighting, window treatments, and flooring must all work together to create an overall look that meets the needs of the client.

When enhancing a client’s interior spaces, an interior designer takes into account their specific needs and budget. The nature of the job of the interior designer and daily responsibilities may include:

  • Communicating with each client to learn about their wants, needs, and budget
  • Creating a design plan, often using computer-aided design (CAD), and estimating a budget
  • Design plans are reviewed and finalised with clients, and all materials, finishes, flooring, and lighting are specified.
  • Submitting drawings to building inspectors to ensure compliance with all codes
  • Creating or remodelling buildings and spaces in collaboration with architects and contractors
  • After the project is completed, follow up with each client and make any necessary changes.

Job Roles of an Interior Designer

Interior design can be a lucrative career option for many people because demand rises as more homes and businesses hire them to design their spaces. Here are a few job roles for an interior designer.

Interior decorator:

  • An interior decorator’s job entails planning the project’s aesthetics and spatial layouts.
  • An interior decorator advises clients on how to decorate their homes or offices, recommending colour schemes, wall designs, furniture, and lighting installations.

Colour consultant:

  • The role of a colour consultant or specialist requires creative planning and a thorough understanding of colour psychology to meet the client’s aesthetic requirements.

Retail interior designer:

  • Retail interior designers create interior store designs for commercial establishments such as restaurants, shopping malls, and other retail spaces.

Production designer:

  • Production designers, who create sets for films, dramas, and videos, are an essential part of the film and video production process.

Exhibition designer:

  • An exhibit designer designs the floor work, seating arrangement, and displays, and fitting for events or public spaces such as fashion shows, museums and art galleries.

Lighting designer:

  • Lighting designers use appropriate and effective lighting installations to transform the atmosphere of any space, such as an office, exhibition, store, home, or functional venue.

 Corporate interior designer:

  • Corporate designers create aesthetically pleasing and brand-conscious interiors for work and office spaces.
  • Their projects can range from small-scale offices to large corporations housed in high-rise structures.

 Landscape architect:

  • Landscape architects create outdoor spaces for businesses, recreational facilities, stadiums, playgrounds, and houses, such as parks, grounds, campuses, and open spaces.

Kitchen designer:

  • Kitchen designers specialise in the aesthetic design of kitchens and dining areas.

The career path of an Interior Designer

Although there are many paths to starting your career as an Interior Designer, here are the ideal ones.

  • Path 1: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Complete a diploma course after 10th ➜ Become an Interior Designer
  • Path 2: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Complete a diploma course after 12th ➜ Become an Interior Designer
  • Path 3: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Complete a bachelor’s degree after 12th ➜ Become an Interior Designer
  • Path 4: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Complete a bachelor’s degree after 12th ➜ Pursue a master’s degree ➜ Become an Interior Designer

While formal education is not required, most interior design firms prefer designers to have a bachelor’s degree. There are also interior design diplomas, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programmes available.

Interior design games will allow you to unleash and nurture your creative side if you want to be an interior designer. After finishing class 10, students can pursue diploma courses in interior design. Entrance exams are required by some universities. UCEED, AIEED, NID, BHU UET, MET, SOFT SET, and other entrance exams are available.

Students who have completed their 12th grade with a minimum of 50% in any subject can pursue a bachelor’s degree in interior design or enrol in diploma programmes. Some colleges also make admission decisions based on the results of the qualifying examination. MRNAT, NICC, SEED, IIAD, AIEED, UID Design Aptitude Test, MUSAT, and other entrance exams are available.

Check out the ‘How to Become an Interior Designer?‘ blog for a step-by-step guide to becoming an Interior Designer!

Salary in different stages of a career as an Interior Designer

  • An entry-level Interior Designer with less than one year of experience can expect to make ₹238,856 per year on average.
  • An Interior Designer in their early career with 1-4 years of experience earns an annual average salary of ₹295,664.
  • A mid-career Interior Designer with 5-9 years of experience earns ₹422,433 per year on average.
  • The annual average salary for an experienced Interior Designer with 10-19 years of experience is ₹634,092.
  • Employees in their late careers (20 years and up) earn an annual average salary of ₹1,186,436.

Skills Required to become an Interior Designer

To succeed in their careers,  Interior Designers must have diverse skills. Here are some Interior Designer skills to work on, list on your resume, and explain during job interviews:

  • Communication: It is critical for an interior designer to be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in order to understand their client’s needs and ensure that the client understands the project parameters.
  • Active listening:: When communicating with clients, interior designers must actively listen. The end goal is for the interior designer to create a space that the client desires, and in order to do so, the designer must be able to listen carefully.
  • Negotiation: Many interior designers own their own businesses, so knowing how to negotiate a fair price is essential.
  • Computer-aided design technology: Computer-aided design, or CAD, is a useful tool for interior designers. They should be proficient in these programmes because they aid in the creation of two-dimensional floor plans as well as the comprehension of blocks, layouts, and dimensions.
  • Bookkeeping: To keep their finances organised, interior designers who work on their own must have excellent bookkeeping skills. This is necessary for both receiving payments and keeping track of expenses.
  • Customer service: To attract and retain clients, an interior designer should have strong customer service skills.

Is an Interior Designer a good career option?

The global interior design market is expected to grow at an exponential rate by 2025.

According to MarketWatch, the interior design market was valued at 130,100 million USD in 2018 and is expected to grow at an 8.5% CAGR between 2019 and 2024, leading to a market value of 212,300 million USD.

In terms of the Indian market, according to CII research, the number of designers in India was estimated to be 36,387, with interior designers accounting for 10.17% of the total.

According to a Brandongaille report, interior design jobs are expected to grow by 13% over the next decade.

Given the growing popularity of interior design, the demand for interior designers is expected to skyrocket in the coming years.

Types of industries Hiring Interior Designers

There is no limit to the sectors Interior Designers can “flex their creative muscles” in, whether working in a high-end residential sector or in the middle of the ocean on a 5k capacity cruise ship. Here is a list of the most common industries in which Interior Designers can work.

  • Hospitality
  • Residential
  • Retail
  • Restaurant
  • Workplace
  • Marine
  • Education
  • Aviation

Top Recruiters for Interior Designers

Interior Designers can work for the following companies:

  • La Sorogeeka
  • Morph Design
  • Design Qube
  • Rajiv Saini and Associates (RSA)
  • The Karighars
  • Morph Design Co. by Prestige Constructions
  • Carafina
  • De Panache
  • Pinakin Design
  • Raja Aederi

Sources: 1, 2

Courses to upskill as an Interior Designer

When a person opens the curtains, he or she expects to see a beautiful view out the window but instead sees a wall.
Oops! #BadDesign [Source]

Enrol in the best interior design online courses to advance your knowledge. These online interior design courses will teach you every step, skill, and technique involved in designing a space. These interior design certification courses will not only refresh your skills but will also help you to improve your resume. So, here is a list of the best interior design online courses to consider:

  • How to Use Color Like a Pro
  • How to Work with Interior Design Styles Like a Pro
  • Styling and Staging Interior Spaces
  • The Complete Sketchup and Vray Course for Interior Design
  • Interior Design for your Modern Home: A Room-by-Room Guide
  • How to Use Lighting Design to Transform your Home
  • The Complete Sketchup and Vray Course for Interior Design
  • How to Design your Dream Kitchen
  • Design is in the Details: How to Accessorize Like a Pro
  • Revit Architecture: Interior Modeling and Rendering

    While you’re at it , also check out Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA Design&Branding program to get industry exposure and a certificate to upskill yourself!

Qualifications to become Interior Designer

  • Bachelor’s/Diploma: While formal education is not required, most interior design firms prefer designers to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Interior design programs are also available at the diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels.
  • Master’s degree: Students studying interior design should think about pursuing a master’s degree if they want to increase their salaries and work as researchers or professors.
  • Internships: For aspiring interior designers, an interior design internship is required because it will familiarise them with the technicalities, knowledge, and skills involved in a career in interior design.

Degrees in India

Diploma courses:

  • Diploma in Interior Design: A diploma in interior design is a 1 to 2-year course in the field of interior design. A diploma in Interior Design is a basic level certificate course that students who have completed their high school education or its equivalent can pursue.
  • Diploma in Interior Design and Architecture: A Diploma in Interior Design and Architecture is a 1 to 2 year course in interior design. The course’s goal is to lay the groundwork and teach the fundamentals of designing residential interior spaces. It focuses on providing fundamental knowledge and guidelines for becoming an interior designer.
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Interior Designing: One of the most popular interior design courses in the country is the Post Graduate Diploma in Interior Designing. This two-year programme is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of interior design, ranging from understanding building materials to interpreting floor plans, drawing and design fundamentals, 3-dimensional visualisation of space, and construction services, as well as all related software/tools, acoustics, lighting, parametric modelling, and client presentations.

UG courses:

  • B.Des Interior Design: B.Des in Interior Design is a four-year undergraduate level bachelor’s degree programme in the design stream. The course focuses on the science and art of comprehending and designing functional and appealing interior spaces within a structure. B.Des Interior Design is an excellent programme for candidates who want to pursue a successful career in the field of interior design. It not only improves skills such as creativity, pragmatic design thinking, and so on, but it also imparts relevant knowledge about the subject.
  • B.Des (Interior and Furniture): B.Des (Interior and Furniture Design), also known as Bachelor of Design in Interior and Furniture Design, is a four-year Undergraduate degree programme.
  • BA Interior Design: The Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design is a three-year undergraduate design programme. The course focuses on the principles involved in interior design. The course is designed to teach students about structuring, lighting, object placement, and colour combinations that can make an environment come alive.
  • B.Sc in Interior Design: BSc Interior Design is typically studied for over three years in the regular mode. The BSc Interior Design course teaches students the concepts of planning, organising, designing, and managing a space based on its function. They are instructed on how to conduct well-structured and appropriate interior design.

PG courses:

CourseDuration
M.Des Interior Design2 years
M.Des Interior and Experience Design2 years
M.Voc Interior Design and Entrepreneurship2 years

Degrees Abroad

  • UG degree: Interior designers must have at least an associate’s degree from an accredited school, but many go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior design or architecture. Drawing, lighting design, architecture, environmental science, professional practice, and computer drafting are some of the courses that may be required.
  • PG courses: Interior design students who want to advance their careers as researchers or professors should consider pursuing a master’s degree.
  • Entrance exams: Students must take important international entrance exams such as the SAT, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, and TOEFL. Clearing these exams is required for admission to universities and colleges in various countries around the world. Clever Harvey’s step-by-step guide to the SAT entrance exam will provide you with all of the necessary information for the SAT exam. Check it out for yourself!

References for Interior Designer

If you’ve reached this point in the blog, it can only mean one thing: you admire interior designers and hope to become one yourself one day! A few interior designers’ Instagram accounts are included as a bonus. Have a look at them and have fun exploring more!

  • @ckda.inc
  • @eastlakestudio
  • @stac_architecture
  • @o_plus_a
  • @decoraid
  • @mmosersocial
  • @justinablakeney
  • @aerostudios
  • @malene.barnett
  • @1508LONDON

Patience is an important consideration in interior design. It takes time to build your knowledge, portfolio, and brand. Now that you’ve read this comprehensive guide on how to become an interior designer, you can go out there and pursue your dream of a career as an interior designer in your own right. Best wishes for turning your creative ideas into reality! Have fun designing!

FAQs

Is interior design a good career?

Ans: Yes, interior design is a viable career option, particularly for those who want to demonstrate their creativity in the most basic of ways. It allows people to use their natural abilities while also providing a high level of job satisfaction.

Is interior design a good career for the future?

Ans: By 2025, the global interior design market is expected to expand at an exponential rate. According to MarketWatch, the interior design market was worth 130,100 million USD in 2018 and is expected to grow at an 8.5% CAGR between 2019 and 2024, reaching 212,300 million USD.

What is the highest paying job in interior design?

Ans: The top five highest paying Interior Designer jobs based on reported salaries are:
1. Interior designer project manager – ₹25lakhs per year.
2. Senior interior designer – ₹20lakhs per year.
3. Interior designer – ₹17lakhs per year.
4. Architect interior designer – ₹19lakhs per year.

What are the disadvantages of interior design?

Ans: Interior designers must work hard to communicate their ideas and manage the expectations of their clients. You must deal with limited budgets, last-minute decision changes, clients who do not agree with your ideas, and projects that do not go as planned. Interior design can be a stressful endeavour.

What do interior designers struggle with?

Ans: The following are the top 8 unexpected challenges that interior designers face today.
1. Time Management
2. Selling Your Innovative Concepts
3. Handling the Books
4. Keeping Client Expectations Up
5. Working with Quick Turnarounds
6. Introducing Timeless Style and Trends
7. Cost Control
8. Handling Self-Promotion

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How can you become a Landscape Designer? What are the steps to become an Architect in India? What are the best countries to study architecture abroad? Top 10 colleges for ceramic engineering in India with entrance exams and fees
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