What does an interior designer do?

We often hear the careers 'interior designer' and 'interior decorator' used interchangeably, and admittedly there are a few similarities between the two. However, there are also more than a few differences, and some of those differences are fairly significant.

Interior Designer
Whether designing a home or a business, an interior designer needs to be able to tap into and understand a client's needs and wants in order to create a beautiful yet functional space. An interior designer doesn't just enhance the look of a space; they also enhance the function of it. Interior designers often work closely with architects and contractors to help attain the ambience and look the client is after while still adhering to code and regulatory requirements. The interior design process follows a specific and systematic methodology which includes research, analysis, technicality, and creativity. Additionally, having knowledge of and applying the principles of environmental sustainability has become more and more essential in this line of work.

In order to be an interior designer, an individual has to go through specific schooling and formal training. Here is a summary of the Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree programs in interior design:

Two-year Associate Degree Programs
The first year of associate level programs generally covers the fundamentals of design and basic skills in both hand drawing and digital drawing. The focus of the second year is typically on more specialized topics such as architectural lighting, colour theory, furniture history, and introductory business and marketing concepts. Students who earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree can generally enter the field in an assistant role. An Associate of Arts Degree prepares students to continue their interior design education. This degree is often pursued by students who intend to continue their education in architecture or industrial design.

Four-year Bachelor’s Degrees
These programs comprise of courses that address the aesthetic, technical, and business skills required of the well-rounded interior designer. Students are immersed in several topics: drafting, design, 3-D imaging, space planning, project management, marketing, sales, and business development.

Note: Several U.S. states and jurisdictions and seven Canadian provinces have laws that require professional designers to hold an interior design license. To qualify for licensure, candidates must pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam. The NCIDQ is the most recognized interior designer credential. Even after getting licensed, many interior designers often apprentice with a well-established and experienced interior designer before moving on and starting their own company.

Interior Decorator
An interior decorator is able to create an aesthetic environment for interior spaces by adding furniture and accessories. The National Council for Interior Design Qualifications, NCIDQ, states, "Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things."

Interior decorators can take a look at an empty room and 'see' how it can be accessorized with furniture, paint, artwork, etc. They work with their client and agree on a style that would look best for the space. Existing spaces can be updated or redone completely. They often enlist the help of upholsterers, furniture refinishers, and sewers to make their vision come to life.

In order to practice professionally, an interior decorator does not need a license and is not required to have any formal training or schooling. Therefore, they are not permitted to design, as only licensed interior designers having a license are permitted to do so. An easy way to remember this is that interior designers can both design and decorate, but interior decorators can only decorate.

Even though no education is required to practice as an interior decorator, there are courses, programs, and certifications available for those who want to expand their horizons and learn the latest in colour and fabric choices, furniture styles, space planning, and room layouts. Certifications from organizations like C.I.D. (Certified Interior Decorators International) offer coursework and certification to help decorators validate their practices.

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Both interior designers and architects have specific skills they use to develop design plans for their clients. However, they perform markedly different design functions.

Interior Designer
Interior designers use their artistic abilities to reconfigure and decorate interior spaces, and work with their clients (homeowners, business owners, etc.) to create something aesthetically pleasing and functional. Whether designing a home or a business, an interior designer needs to be able to tap into and understand a client's needs and wants. Spaces can range from indoor and outdoor home environments to restaurants, gyms, dental offices, hotels, and spas. No matter the shape or size, every interior designer works with the end goal of creating a space that is attractive, practical, and safe.

An interior designer will meet with a potential client to discuss the scope of the project, and prepare a design proposal. The design proposal needs to fit the budget and needs of the client, and more often than not, modifications need to be made along the way in order to keep to budget. The interior designer will also secure any materials that are needed for the project. Designers often work closely with architects and contractors to help attain the ambience and look the client is after while still adhering to code and regulatory requirements.

Education: Most design firms require designers to hold at least an undergraduate degree accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Those that earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree can generally enter the field in an assistant role. An Associate of Arts Degree prepares students to continue their interior design education and is often pursued by students who intend to further pursue education in architecture or industrial design.

Architect
An architect is specifically trained and licensed to work on the planning and design of buildings. These buildings can be anything where people live, eat, work and play - from something as small as an addition to someone's home, to a new hotel on the Las Vegas strip. The role of an architect is to bring together the creative ideas and visions of their client and to keep in mind the needs of those that will be using the new space. Architects often work closely with interior designers to help attain the ambience and look that the client is after while still adhering to code and regulatory requirements.

An architect's role involves a great deal of technical knowledge and responsibility. There is a need to comply with building and safety regulations, local planning regulations and restrictions. Depending on the project, there may be laws surrounding the preservation of the local environment or any historic parts of a building. Once the project reaches the construction stage, the architect will be involved in site visits and meetings, overseeing the construction and signing off on various pieces of work, negotiating with contractors and dealing with and resolving any problems that may arise.

Education: Architects need to complete a bachelor's degree program (B.Arch) that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). A Master of Architecture (M.Arch) is open to applicants who have earned a B.Arch degree and want to specialize in historic preservation, design theory, solar design, or another related field.

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Interior Designers rank highly among careers. Overall they rank in the 72nd percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Sokanu members only.

It is widely believed that organized and beautifully designed spaces increase physical and mental wellbeing and make people happier. It follows, therefore, that the practitioners who create such spaces – the designers – would themselves feel fulfilled and happy.

The path to becoming an interior designer often starts with an early interest in design, followed by formal training in the field, professional qualification, and continuing education.

Based on our pool of users, Interior Designers tend to be predominately artistic people. Their professional objective is to use their artistic vision to create healthy and aesthetically pleasing environments.

Before choosing to work in interior design, it is important to understand some facts about the career:

There is a difference between decorators and designers
And the primary difference is education. The fact is that anyone who likes to work with space, color, and fabric can become a decorator by promoting themselves to potential customers. Interior designers, though, must have an accredited education.

You must have a knack for design
The technical aspects of interior design work can be learned. But there is, undeniably, a knack factor that is part of this profession. You really need to have an innate flair for scale, proportion, perspective, balance, color and undertones, textiles, and architecture. This is probably why it is often said that great designers are born, not made.

There is more to interior design than fabric and fun
Working with a vast array of fabrics, colors, and furniture styles sounds like a lot of fun. And it is. But there is so much more to being an interior designer. These professionals need to be educated in the history of design, the structure of buildings, local building codes and laws, ergonomics, spatial concepts, and ethics. They need to be comfortable with multitasking and working closely with homeowners, builders and contractors, architects, government agencies, and business owners.

You have a love of organization
Organization goes hand in hand with intelligent design. It is often the difference between an appealing space and an unappealing one. And on the administrative side of the business, dealing with multiple clients, plans, projects, and budgets demands an orderly and organized approach.

A successful interior designer is…
… a people pleaser, a psychologist, a mitigator, and a mind reader. People are very finicky about their homes. Some know what they want. Some do not. Others think they know what they want, but do not. It is the interior designer’s job to balance client styles and desires with professional advice to ensure a favorable result. This is not an easy task.

Leading should come naturally to you Essentially, interior designers are project managers. This role often calls for firm leadership skills when communicating with contractors and crews, and even with clients.

A portfolio is pivotal
Everyone is familiar with the saying, A picture is worth a thousand words. This is particularly true in in the interior design field. Colors are meant to be seen. Fabrics are meant to be touched. Talking about them, even with great knowledge and familiarity, is not enough. An eye-catching portfolio that showcases your designs and projects is an absolute must. Recent graduates new to the job market, therefore, may find that it is necessary to initially do some pro bono work or offer their services at a reduced rate in order to launch their portfolios. For established designers, an outstanding portfolio is key to thriving in an industry in which competition is fierce.

There are three possible education tracks to becoming an interior designer:

• Certificate – one year or less
• Associate Degree – two years
• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Typically, employers seek out job candidates with a degree.