Industry
Outlook for Interior Design Jobs
It is anticipated that the
employment outlook for interior design jobs will grow somewhat faster
than many other occupations through the next few years. A portion of
this is attributed to a larger amount of discretionary income and the
rising demand for professional design.
Interior designers are
responsible for the planning and design
involved in enhancing the environments of various facilities including:
- Homes & Office Buildings
- Hospitals
- Restaurants & Hotels
Interior designers may work with architects in order to achieve a final
design that meets the clients needs. Designers must be able to
implement plans and designs that are both aesthetically pleasing as
well as plans that meet State and Federal safety and accessibility
regulations.
Successful interior
designers have an eye for detail and learn to listen and communicate well with their clients.
Due to the fact that they must
often work with others as well as lead groups, they should have good
people and supervisory skills.
This type of work may be physically
demanding and may require irregular hours in order
to meet the needs of the client and meet deadlines.
Employment
Prospects for Interior Design Jobs
Some interior designers focus
on one particular industry such as either residential or commercial.
Other specialty areas include:
- Kitchen
- Bath
- Home office
- Custom product design
- New construction
- Renovation
- Historic renovation
- Model homes
Interior designers may work either for a large firm or become
self-employed.A
large majority of interior designers are self-employed; almost one
third.
Job Search for
Interior Design Jobs
The location of employment
opportunities in the interior designer field will greatly depend on the
area in which the job seeker hopes to work.
Employment opportunities in
large firms can be found through a variety of techniques such as:
- Industry trade journals
- Websites
- Networking efforts
- Employment and recruitment agencies
Interior designers who are
self-employed often find new jobs through a combination of networking,
referrals, advertising and marketing as well as word of mouth.
Resumes for
Interior Design Jobs
A chronological
resume will work well when applying for this type
of work. This resume allows the job seeker to focus on education and
training; elements that are focused on within this field.
Cover Letters
for Interior Design Jobs
The key element to highlight
in a cover letter when applying for an interior designer position is
experience along with any notable references
that are willing to vouch for the job seeker’s expertise and
talent.
Training
& Qualifications for Interior Design Jobs
Due to the fact that many
designers today use computerized programs to create plans and layouts,
most employers require the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
In some states, interior
designers must pass the National Council for Interior Design qualification examination in order to attain licensure.
Candidates must have a
combined 6 years education and experience to be eligible to take the
exam; of which 2 years must include post secondary school. About half
the states as well as the District of Columbia require licensure.
Training programs include
coursework in liberal arts classes such as art and design. A well
rounded curriculum will also include coursework in business
administration, marketing and merchandising.
Besides formal training,
many designers also receive on the job training consisting of 1 to 3 years before they can move on to advanced positions.
Designers who attain
experience may eventually be promoted to chief designers or other
supervisory positions in large design firms.
It is anticipated that there
will continue to be keen competition within this industry due to the
large number of job seekers that are attracted to it, despite the
anticipated growth rate. Individuals who attain thorough training and
garner significant and noteworthy experience will have the best
advantages.
Good luck in your search
for interior design jobs !