How to Become An Interior Designer?

Are you looking for a career that is creative, rewarding, and in-demand? If so, then becoming an interior designer may be what you are looking for. Interior designers use their creativity to improve the way people live and work by designing the layouts of homes and offices.

Interior designers design what the inside of a building will look like. They study what colours, fabrics, and furniture should go into different rooms to make them appealing to their clientele. It is essential because it requires thinking creatively and understanding what materials would work best in certain situations.

If you want to become an interior designer, there are many ways you can get started. In this blog, we shall explore interior design and become interior designers.

What Is Interior Design?

The interior design process can be a lot like solving a puzzle, and professional Interior Designers solve all your problems. Interior designers are responsible for creating architecture and interior space planning. They often specialise in specific areas such as commercial spaces, office spaces, homes or even environmental spaces.

Interior design is a perfect career for those who love beauty and creativity. It allows them to showcase their skills while practising one of the most in-demand careers in the world.

For one's interior design service venture to succeed, they should make sure it caters to aesthetic needs and practicality such as soundproofing or temperature regulation.

What Does An Interior Designer Do?

Before you know how to get into interior design, you must understand what it takes to be a designer and what responsibilities are taken care of. Some of the significant responsibilities that an interior designer carries out are:

  • Listen and determine client's needs and requirements for the project
  • Brainstorm and conceptualise ideas of how to use the space
  • Sketch the design plans, including electrical and partition layout
  • Keep in touch with the upcoming trends
  • Specify, choose, and place orders for the materials, furniture and decors that stay within the budget
  • Make a timeline for the project and estimated cost
  • Supervise the construction and coordinate with contractors
  • Ensure that the result is according to the plan and aesthetically pleasing

Career Opportunities for Interior Designers

Upon completing your interior design course, you can approach various career paths and interior design job roles. Many of them include:

  • Interior and Spatial Designer
  • Corporate Designer
  • Home Lighting Adviser
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Art Director
  • Kitchen Designer

How To Become An Interior Designer?

Interior Design is an exciting career with a broad scope. You can find employment in industries like architectural firms, designing consultancies, construction companies, event management companies, exhibition centres and more. To become an interior designer, you must follow the step:

  • Have a solid understanding of why interior designing
  • Meet the educational requirements
  • Learn the interior design tools
  • Have a firm grip on interior design skills
  • Build your digital skills
  • Stay up-to-date on the trends
  • Get your interior design certification

1. Have a solid understanding of why you want to start a career in interior designing

It is vital to have a solid understanding of what you want before you start anything. Interior designing is becoming a popular career option for those looking to make their mark on the world of design. With more and more people wanting luxurious homes, this industry has never been more enormous.

It would be best to understand the employment possibilities you can gain from various industries. Collaborate with architects, civil engineers, constructors, mechanical engineers, and industrial designers.

Another essential factor that you must clearly understand is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Interior design is often confused with interior decorating, but they are two very different jobs. Interior decorating focuses on making the space feel cohesive and attractive by using furniture or other home decorations, while Interior design includes designing it.

2. Meet the interior designing prerequisites

To set sail on the path of an interior designer, you must adhere to its educational requirements to lead a successful career. The prerequisites include:

  • Education qualification: A bachelor's or master's degree in interior designing is the stepping stone towards this career. You must be proficient in interior designing tools, drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD). Availing certificate courses is an added advantage as it validates your experience and helps you stay updated on the industry's trends.
  • A keen eye and designing skills: Interior design skills vary from flexibility, creativity, drawing, and problem-solving. Having an eye different from others and thinking outside the box is a crucial element in interior designing. You must know how each paint color, decor, and subtle design changes the mood and aesthetics of the room. Developing your design vision is an essential component of becoming a talented interior designer and developing your sense of style.

3. Learn the tools of interior design

To succeed as an interior designer, you must be updated with innovative tools and software. It will help you produce more efficient and polished results. 2D and 3D floor plans, 3D visualisation, home decor, room templates, and light editing are a few features you can utilise with the tools. Some of the top interior designing software programs include:

  • SketchUp
  • Roomstyler
  • SmartDraw
  • HomeByMe
  • Planner 5D
  • Roomeon
  • Infurnia

4. Have a firm grip on interior design skills

To design a home well, you need to have a thorough knowledge of various interior design skills. Skills can be learned, developed and encouraged to transform a student into the best designer they can become. Some of the critical skills for interior designer jobs include:

  • A creative eye to generate unique designs.
  • Good aesthetic sense from good exposure
  • Ability to design and draw
  • Knowledge of eco-friendly practices
  • Enhanced computer knowledge
  • Visualisation skill
  • Organisation skills
  • Updated with the latest trends
  • A positive attitude and good communication skills
  • Problem-solving skills with analytical thinking

5. Build your digital skills and learn about new virtual opportunities

In addition to freehand sketching, interior design students learn how to create and present concepts using digital imaging tools. The best way for interior design students to learn is by doing. They can sketch and render ideas using freehand and take part in digital imaging exercises that will help them produce interesting visual concepts with creative tools like Photoshop.

Comprehensive interior designing courses will also teach the relevance of CAD, 3D modelling tools, architectural detailing and building codes. As part of enhancing your digital skills and stepping into the pool of virtual opportunities, you must have a solid understanding of the concepts.

6. Stay up-to-date on the trends.

When designing a space, what is in and what is out are essential factors to consider. As interior designers, you should always be on top of the trends. Your designs are stylish, yet practical for everyone who comes across them.

Some of the up-and-coming trends in the interior design industry are:

  • Floating ink marbling
  • Flat slats
  • Nature-inspired designs
  • White interiors with rustic accents
  • Decorative joinery
  • Multifunctional spaces
  • Minimalism
  • Sage green kitchens
  • Warm and earthy paint tones

7. Get your interior design certification

Being one of the most competitive fields, you may find it overwhelming to keep up with all the steps to become a successful interior designer. However, with interior designing certification, you can quickly and effortlessly achieve proper educational qualifications along with practical experience. It will also guide you through all the unique design tools, build the required skills and help you stay up-to-date with the industry's trends.

How To Prepare For An Interior Design Job Interview?

To perform well and ace your dream job interview for being an interior design, emulate the following guidelines: 

  • Build your resume
  • Choose the industry of your fit
  • Improve your soft skills
  • Prepare the commonly asked questions
  • Crack the interview

1. Build an appealing resume

A professional resume is the first thing required to impress your potential employers. It would be best to design it to grab recruiters' attention and highlight what you have done so far. Include all the educational qualifications of being an interior designer, skills gained from training courses, and experience at work.

2. Choose the industry of your fit

The role of an interior designer can fall under various industries. Choose the one according to your needs and values. For example, you may come across employment opportunities from architectural firms, construction consultancies, event management companies, exhibition centres, and even set designing companies.

3. Improve your soft skills

Soft skills are an integral part of any job role, but you must improve them. As for an interior designer, you must be enthusiastic and passionate about the profession. The fire to grow will help you stay up with the trends. You should also have excellent problem-solving skills, multitasking skills, management skills and a hardworking nature.

4. Prepare the commonly asked questions

Preparing yourself with the commonly asked questions will enable you to answer better and be ready for anything. Some of the common questions asked in an interior designer's interview are:

  • How can you design small spaces?
  • What is the best way to use lights in a room?
  • How to fit a bookshelf in a small space?
  • How can you efficiently utilise the small balcony space for gardening?

5. Crack the interview

Once you have followed every step that we have provided here, you can skillfully ace the interview and get the designation of an interior designer. Then, with your dedication and thorough preparation, you can easily pass the interview!

To Sum Up

To become a successful interior designer, what you need is dedication and passion. You can begin by learning the basics and following the step guide we have mentioned to be an interior designer. Then, with sufficient training and qualifications under your belt, you will crack any interview easily and live your dream.