career blog #2

career: interior designer

responsibilities and credentials

Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential and decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. They must be able to draw, read, and edit blueprints. They also must be aware of building codes, inspection regulations, and other considerations, such as accessibility standards.

duties

• Search for and bid on new projects

• Determine the client’s goals and requirements for the project

• Consider how the space will be used and how people will move through the space

• Sketch preliminary design plans, including electrical and partition layouts

• Specify materials and furnishings, such as lighting, furniture, wall finishes, flooring, and plumbing fixtures

• Create a timeline for the interior design project and estimate project costs

• Place orders for materials and oversee the installation of the design elements

• Oversee construction and coordinate with general building contractors to implement the plans and specifications for the project

• Visit the site after the project is complete, to ensure that the client is satisfied

credentials

Interior designers need a bachelor’s degree in any field, and in states with laws restricting the use of the title ”interior designer,” only candidates who pass their state-approved exam, most commonly the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, may call themselves registered interior designers.

college majors

• Interior Design: This is the most direct and obvious path, offering specific training in space planning, color theory, furniture design, lighting, materials, and CAD software.

• Architecture: While more focused on the design of buildings and structures, an architecture degree can provide a solid foundation for interior design work, particularly when it comes to understanding spatial planning and construction elements.

• Environmental Design: This major blends elements of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design to focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

• Fine Arts: Majoring in fine arts with a focus on design, painting, or sculpture can give students an appreciation for visual aesthetics, which is important in interior design.

• Graphic Design: A background in graphic design can be helpful for creating visual layouts and understanding design principles that work for both interior spaces and branding.

programs .

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (Providence, RI): While known for its broader fine arts programs, RISD has an excellent Interior Architecture program that combines both artistic and functional elements of design.

• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (Savannah, GA): Offers one of the top Interior Design programs in the U.S., with a global reach and multiple locations. Their programs are comprehensive, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Interior Design.

• The New School Parsons School of Design (New York, NY): Their Interior Design program is well-regarded for its innovative approach to design, combining creativity with practical skills.

• California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, CA): Known for its highly respected Interior Design CA): USC offers a top-tier program in Environmental Design with a focus on sustainable interior design.

• Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): Known for its College of Human Ecology, Cornell offers a top-ranked program in Interior Design and Environmental Analysis.

interior design of Rhode Island School of Design

sources:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm#tab-1