Whether you're looking to hire an interior designer or to become one, it helps to know what the job entails. There is much more to interior design than just creating an aesthetically pleasing space. An effective interior designer has skills and education in drawing, architecture, manual drafting, computer-aided drafting, art history, space planning, as well as lighting, furniture, residential design and corporate design. An interior designer may choose to work on residential projects, commercial projects or both.
Planning
When a new building is being constructed, an interior designer decides on the location of walls as well as selecting the objects it. He must be prepared to work around existing architectural structures and plumbing lines. Using the blueprint as a reference, the space-planning process involves creating the most effective plan for arranging elements within an interior space.
On a commercial project, the interior designer makes sure that all areas of the building meet applicable federal, state and local requirements. He is responsible for knowing and following all building code rules---such as the proper placement of exit signs and doorways---as well as make the space accessible to the disabled.
Blueprints
An interior designer works with a set of blueprints that may or may not already exist. She needs to know correctly draw these blueprints by hand as well as in a computer-aided drafting program such as Auto CAD. A typical set of drawings includes the floor plan, furniture plan, reflected ceiling plan and a material/specifications chart. The accuracy of these plans is very important, as they give the building contractors specific instructions to follow. The interior designer is also responsible for recording and implementing any revisions requested by the client, contractor or architect.
The Design Concept
During the interview process, the interior designer meets with the client, asking plenty of questions and stating the problem. According to Linda Davis, interior design professor at the Art Institute of California in Orange County, the goal of an interior designer is always to solve a problem. The problem may relate to the size of the space, aesthetic appeal, available budget, the relationship of one area to another, user accessibility or a combination of these factors.
After identifying the problem, the interior designer creates a working design concept. Many questions must be asked and many factors are involved in creating an effective design concept. She then arranges a professional presentation of her concept for the client. During each step of the process, the interior designer is responsible for logging her time spent on the project each day.
Purchasing
The interior designer should have access to books, catalogs, fabrics and material samples to choose from. Staying current on design trends and learning "green" design techniques are essential. He should also be prepared to locate any specific items requested by the client. The interior designer orders all materials and furniture, and may be on-site at delivery to make sure that the items received are exactly as ordered.
Installation
The interior designer makes sure that items are arranged within the home as specified on the furniture plan. If walls are being removed or added, she works with a contractor to handle these changes. Since lighting design is part of the design process, she creates a lighting plan for each room and has the lighting properly installed.
Salary and Education
To obtain an entry-level interior design position, a bachelor's degree is typically required. After graduation, a one to three-year apprenticeship may be needed to gain enough experience to pass a state licensing exam, if required.
The salary earned by an interior designer can vary greatly, depending on location, and is influenced by such factors as reputation, employer, experience and specialization. According to statistics presented by the U.S. Department of Labor, the median salary for an interior designer in 2006 was $42,260.
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