Others just walk into a room - you walk into a room of possibilities. Others sit on the couch - you reposition the couch in your mind. They see curtains; you see how the curtains could look. You can't stop re-designing. How can you get paid to be an interior designer?
What You Need for Success
Beyond a creative eye for interior design, there are two areas of skill critical for success, according to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID):
- A Knack for Management. You need to control clients, budgets and time wisely. These are the rocks upon which many would-be interior designers crash.
- Technical Knowledge, specifically in materials, building codes, and other design requirements.
Where to Find an Interior Design Job
Luckily an accredited interior design degree program helps you sharpen the skill sets you need. Training from a top interior design school is critical, according to ASID, especially if you live in any of 22 States or the District of Columbia.
In these areas you must get a government license or register officially before you can practice. In order to do that, you need to pass the National Council for Interior Design exam. In order to sit for the exam, you must have at least six years of combined education and experience in interior design, of which at least two years must be postsecondary design education at an interior design college.
Your hard work, however, can pay off in today's economy. The large number of design shows on television has piqued the interest of more people in upgrading their environment.
Demand for interior designers, according to the US Department of Labor, is rising. ASID reports that about 34,000 interior designers are at work in the U.S. at about 10,000 firms. Which firms are near you? Check the ASID website.
What Can You Earn?
What are the earning possibilities in an interior design job? According to ASID, "beginning designers earn about $30,000 a year. Mid-level designers - those with three or more years' experience - make slightly more, around $35,000 to $40,000. Designers who also demonstrate good project and/or people management skills can command substantially higher salaries ($50,000 to $55,000) as managers. Principals or partners in well-to-do firms may receive $75,000 to $100,000 or more."
Sources:
- American Society of Interior Designers <http://www.asid.org/asid2/int/isidforyou.asp>
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Interior Designers <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm>
