Job Details
** Interior Designer**
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Average Salary Range: $40,000 to $59,999
Average Hourly: $ 25.66
Education Minimum: Bachelor's degree
Number of Jobs: 75400
Jobs Added to 2028: 3300
Growth: As fast as average
** What Interior Designers Do**
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**
Interior designers typically do the following:
* Search for and bid on new projects
* Determine the clients 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
Interior designers work closely with to determine how interior spaces will function, look, and be furnished. Interior designers read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations.
Although some sketches may be freehand, most interior designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software for most of their drawings. Throughout the design process, interior designers often use building information modeling (BIM) software to create three-dimensional visualizations that include construction elements such as walls or roofs.
Many designers specialize in particular types of buildings, such as homes, hospitals, or hotels; specific rooms, such as bathrooms or kitchens; or a specific style. Some designers work for home-furnishings stores, providing design services to help customers choose materials and furnishings.
Some interior designers produce designs, plans, and drawings for construction and installation. These products may include information for construction and demolition, electrical layouts, and building permits. Interior designers may draft the preliminary design into documents ranging from simple sketches to construction schedules and attachments.
The following are examples of types of interior designers:
***Corporate designers*** create interior designs for professional workplaces in a variety of settings, from small offices to large buildings. They focus on creating spaces that are efficient, functional, and safe for employees. In their designs, they may incorporate elements of a companys brand.
***Healthcare designers*** plan and renovate healthcare centers, clinics, doctors offices, hospitals, and residential care facilities. They specialize in evidence-based design, which uses data and research in design decisionmaking to achieve positive results for patients, residents, and facilities.
***Kitchen and bath designers*** specialize in kitchens and bathrooms and have expert knowledge of cabinet, fixture, appliance, plumbing, and electrical solutions for these rooms.
***Sustainable designers*** suggest strategies to improve energy and water efficiencies and indoor air quality as well as environmentally sustainable products, such as bamboo and cork for floors. They may obtain certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the . Such certification indicates expertise in designing buildings and spaces with sustainable practices in mind.
***Universal designers*** renovate spaces in order to make them more accessible. Often, these designs are used to renovate spaces for elderly people and people with special needs; however, universal designs benefit everyone. For example, an entryway without steps may be necessary for someone in a wheelchair, but it is also helpful for someone pushing a baby stroller.
**Work Environment**
Many interior designers work in specialized design services or in architectural, engineering, and related services.
** Work Environment Details**
Interior designers held about 75,400 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of interior designers were as follows:
Specialized design services 28% Self-employed workers 23 Architectural, engineering, and related services 18 Furniture stores 6 Wholesale trade 6 Most interior designers work in offices, but technology has changed the way many designers work. For example, interior designers now use software rather than drafting tables to create two- or three-dimensional images.
Interior designers also travel to clients design sites.
**Work Schedules**
Interior designers may need to adjust their workday to suit their clients schedules and deadlines, including meeting with clients in the evening and on weekends.
**Job Outlook**
Employment of interior designers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Designers will be needed to respond to consumers expectations that the interiors of homes and offices meet certain conditions, such as being environmentally friendly and more easily accessible.
** How to Become an Interior Designer**
Interior designers usually need a bachelors degree with a focus in interior design or interior architecture.
**Education**
Interior designers entering the occupation usually need a bachelors degree in any field. Coursework should include classes in interior design, drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD).
Programs in interior design are available at the associates, bachelors, and masters degree levels. Applicants to these programs may need to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.
accredits more than 360 postsecondary colleges, universities, and independent institutes that have programs in art and design. accredits about 180 professional-level (bachelors or masters degree) interior design programs.
The accredits kitchen and bath design specialty programs (certificate, associates degree, and bachelors degree levels) in nearly 100 colleges and universities.
**Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations**
Licensure requirements vary by state. In some states, only licensed designers may do interior design work. In other states, both licensed and unlicensed designers may do such work; however, only licensed designers may use the title interior designer. In still other states, both licensed and unlicensed designers may call themselves interior designers and do interior design work.
In states with laws restricting the use of the title interior designer, only candidates who pass their state-approved exam, most commonly the (NCIDQ) exam, may call themselves registered interior designers. Candidate eligibility for taking the NCIDQ exam includes having at least a bachelors degree in interior design and 2 years of full-time work experience.
California requires a different exam, administered by the (CCIDC). To take this exam, eligible candidates must have a combination of education and experience.
Voluntary certification in an interior design specialty, such as environmental design, allows designers to demonstrate expertise in a particular area of the occupation. Interior designers often specialize to distinguish the type of design work they d