I will start this off by saying I still have two years of school left. By the time I’m actually working at a firm, I’m sure this list will change a lot. There’s much that goes into a career in interior design that you don’t exactly get to learn until you’re out in the field. However, this list is made up of important skills you’ll need in school and out of school!
The reality of interior design is very different from the images we see on HBO and Pinterest. I would have loved to get a clear idea on what to expect before starting school. Boy was it a shocker!
If you’re contemplating whether or not a career in interior design is for you, here are some important skills that every designer should have.
- 12 Unique Kitchen Colour Palette Ideas
- The Ultimate Gift Ideas for Interior Design Lovers
- Favourite Interior Styles | The Best Residential
- Vision Boards | How to Manifest Your Dreams
- Interior Design | 11 Exciting Career Paths
1. You’re Detailed Oriented
Luckily I am pretty detail oriented by nature. Sometimes it’s a good thing and other times it’s to a fault. I have the tendency to spend too much time getting stuck on minuscule details. In an industry that has tight deadlines, you need to prioritize.
I’m the type of person that would go into an interview and say one of my biggest weaknesses is perfectionism and mean it. It’s both my biggest strength and my worst downfall. Let’s just say the phrase “paralysis by analysis” couldn’t be more true in my case. I’m working on it!
That being said, a career in interior design will require you to be detail oriented. Not only in your designs, but in your presentations and especially your construction drawings. It’s an important skill to have!
2. You’re Extremely Creative
A longing to do something creative was originally what brought me to choose interior design for school. The design process involves both creativity and logic and it’s much more extensive than selecting nice cabinets or a cute paint colour.
In the beginning phases, the process is extremely creative. We are constantly looking for inspiration around us that could be relevant to the project we’re working on. This is how we find a concept for our design.
Once we choose a concept to work with we begin diagramming and sketching. Our process is very similar to an architects design process. We play with the concept and work it into the design. This can be done through the floorplan, ceiling design, etc.
3. You’re Not Afraid of Criticism
If you’re thinking about pursuing interior design school expect some harsh feedback and criticism. Sometimes it may even be in front of the class. We do critique sessions a lot in school. Sometimes critiques are one on one and other times you present your work in front of everyone.
This concept would have petrified me if I had been told before I applied for school. You sort of become numb to it though and will need to be once you’re working. Right now it’s my teacher’s critiquing and later it will be clients and the public so I better get used to it!
4. You’re a Problem Solver
Designing a space can sometimes be like a puzzle. Trying to figure out where certain things should go, how to make them work and what’s the most functional. Sometimes you’ll design something and realize it doesn’t work and then you have to figure out the puzzle all over again.
You will definitely need to be good at problem solving in order to comply to the client’s needs and achieve a functional space.
5. You’re Organized
Now historically speaking I wasn’t always the most organized person but I’ve come along way in that regard! Even now when I’m working on a project the areas around me are a complete mess. You’ll see papers taped to the wall, markers spilled all around my desk and piles of tracing paper. This is how I work though and it makes me feel more creative (in an odd way) working that way.
The important thing is to make sure everything is organized once your done. This industry is very deadline driven so it’s important to have a schedule. You can also be working on multiple projects at a time so organization is key!
6. You Understand People
If you’re designing a space that’s intended for people, you’ll need a good understanding of the people you’re designing for.
For example designing a long-term care facility will require specific knowledge about what can happen to your body as an elderly person. This will require some education on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, vision impairment, walking impairment, wheelchair accessibility and more.
You might even go as far at trying to understand the generation you’re designing for. A design for millennial could be very different than a design for baby boomers for example.
[…] Interior designers are great problem solvers. So for me, there are no rules for what colours, fabrics and styles you can and cannot use! […]