What Interior Designers Do – You may be familiar with the basic job description of an interior designer: create interior spaces that are safe, functional and attractive. But you may not realize the full scope of the role. Interior design is a broad and varied field, with many possible specializations and career paths. You could work in all kinds of spaces, including apartments, hotels, restaurants, factories, hospitals, airport terminals, shops and more. At the same time, many misconceptions exist about what interior designers actually do. (Hint: it’s not just about choosing pretty fabrics!) In this post, we’ll take a behind-the-scenes look at the work of an interior designer and debunk some common myths about the role. Find out what this career really entails so you can decide if it’s for you. WHAT INTERIOR DESIGNERS DO Interior designers improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of interior spaces. So what exactly does that mean? It means they integrate colors, lighting, textures, furniture and many other elements to create a space that works well and looks great. When done right, interior design can have a huge impact. It can entice shoppers to buy more, make a home more livable, or completely change the mood and feel of a space. Interior designers go through a specific process when tackling a project. Many steps and skills come together to make the design a success. A typical day-to-day job for an interior designer includes: ☑️ Consulting with new clients to find out their needs, tastes and budget ☑️ Analyzing the purpose and function of a space to ensure the design meets those needs ☑️ Providing advice on materials, finishes, color schemes, window treatments and other elements ☑️ Create detailed blueprints and 3D models to present design plans to clients and builders ☑️ Review plans as needed to gain client approval ☑️ Collaborate with architects and contractors ☑️ Develop project timelines and estimate costs ☑️ Find and order materials for projects (lighting, furniture, paint, countertops, flooring, accessories, window coverings, etc.) ☑️ Oversee the build and installation process to ensure their designs are followed correctly Skills interior designers use every day Interior designers have technical skills such as spatial planning, measuring and making designs using special software. These are all taught at the school of interior design. But there are other traits and skills that designers use every day that are not so easy to learn. For example, solving problems is a big part of the job. Interior designers deal with material shortages, electrical and plumbing surprises, builders who don’t show up on time, and clients who change their mind halfway through a project. It takes creativity, great people skills and resilience to be successful in this career. It’s about so much more than following the latest trends. American interior design legend Albert Hadley sums it up best. “The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It’s about the reality of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what’s in or out. This is no easy task.” POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS IN INTERIOR DESIGN There are plenty of options when it comes to careers in interior design. Here are a few examples: ☑️ Residential interior design is what most people think of first. This includes creating comfortable living spaces that reflect your client’s style, personality and habits. Some designers specialize in kitchens and bathrooms, while others build entire houses, apartments and apartments. ☑️ Industrial interior design focuses on factories, warehouses, factories and related structures. These types of spaces should accommodate machines and production activities, as well as administrative offices and break areas for employees. The challenge is to meet those functional requirements while still creating spaces that are pleasant to look at and work in. ☑️ Retail space planning is about designing store layouts, decor and displays that appeal to the target market and increase sales. The idea is to develop interior designs that align with the company brand, make good use of space and entice customers to buy more. ☑️ Commercial design includes projects such as hotels, cruise ships, restaurants, lounges, bars, shops and other types of commercial spaces. It is a huge market, with many opportunities to specialise. One of our own graduates, Sergkei Theocharis, got a job as a commercial interior designer, creating showrooms and product displays for an international furniture company. “I design concepts for special projects and have traveled to the US twice to help showcase products in showrooms. I also make presentations and room layouts for hotel developers interested in our products. I always work with photographers and graphic designers, do photo shoots and organize marketing and advertising campaigns.” What Interior Designers Don’t Do There are so many misconceptions about the interior design profession. When thinking about a career in this industry, it is important to understand what the job does not entail. Here’s what an interior designer doesn’t do (and a few other common myths). ☑️ They don’t just decorate a space. Many people do not realize the difference between interior designers and interior decorators. Interior decorators use items such as throw pillows, fabrics, window treatments, and artwork to achieve a certain look for a space. Interior designers do that too, but they can also plan structural changes and improve the overall function of a space. The role of an interior designer is to plan, design and furnish a space from scratch. ☑️ They don’t tell customers what to do. It’s not about what the designer wants. The job is to come up with the layout and decor that brings the client’s vision to life. This usually includes negotiating with the customer, not just telling them what to do. For example, if a customer likes a certain type of hardwood floor, but you know it is easily damaged and may not be the best choice, you should let them know. You are there to provide guidance, but everything you do should be aimed at helping your client find their own style. ☑️ They don’t just work with the very wealthy. Contrary to popular belief, interior designers are not just for the rich and famous. Designers know how to work within a budget and how to make the most of available resources. The good ones can make a small space look bigger and really stretch a dollar. It’s all part of the challenge! Interested in becoming an interior designer? A successful career as an interior designer starts with quality training. There are university degrees in interior design, or you can choose an interior design degree. A degree is the faster option. Most programs last two years or less. Check out the Interior Design degree at Herzing College Montreal. Students can choose from an 18-month accelerated course or the 24-month extended option. The training includes an eight-week internship at a local design firm. Click below to learn more about the Interior Design program and chat live with an admissions advisor. We’re here to help!
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What Interior Designers Do
Fill out the form below and one of our representatives will assist you with documents and requirements to enroll in this program. Many people think that interior designers and interior decorators are the same jobs when in reality they are two different professions. The main difference between the two is that an interior decorator mainly focuses on the visual aspect of a room and the main job is to add things to the space. On the other hand, the role of an interior designer is more linked to the role of an architect as they work more on the constructive side of a space rather than just the aesthetics. Interior designers mainly rethink space division, usability and organization through spatial planning and construction drawings and 3D images.
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Interior designers always work with a team. This team varies from project to project, but typically consists of:
The main role of an interior designer in a project is to enhance the function of the space or building. With their technical skills, they are ready to plan and renovate interiors through the development of technical drawings and 3D visuals. They also have the role of project leader once they start work on site, as they are responsible for coordinating the construction team and the installation team. In addition to this, once the construction work is over, in many cases they will also carry out the styling and aesthetics of the space by choosing furniture and accessories as needed.
Meeting with clients to understand their needs for the project and keep them updated on what is happening
As designers, our work comes with a certain amount of responsibility, especially when it comes to our impact on the environment. Designers are the people who design the future, so it’s in our hands to make it a greener place.
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