How To Start a Career in Interior Design

A career in interior design is a very attractive field to enter. People always want to improve their homes and environments, and there is always a need for quality designers.

The term designer covers a wide range of specializations. Some designers focus on specific spaces, like kitchens or bathrooms. Others focus on specific design genres, like modern or classic.

The greatest asset a designer can have is his or her imagination. The best designs are the ones that capture the imagination, and create a sense of wonder when someone sees them.

Bringing your own personality into your work is important too. If you like something specific, then let that show! Using colors or textures that you like will make your designs more personalized and fun.

There are several ways to get started in the field of interior design.

Take classes on interior design

A great way to begin your career in interior design is by taking classes at a university or through an online course provider.

Many offer free introductory courses that will get you started on understanding the basics of interior design. Some even offer certificates or degrees in interior design.

These classes will help you learn some of the fundamental concepts of interior design like color theory and how to lay out rooms. You could even take a course on furniture layout and selection to start developing your skills.

Some courses require that you pay for materials, so check out if that is the case before you spend money on books and such. Many universities have libraries with resources for interior design, so look around and find the best resources for you.

This is a great way to get started as it gives you some basic knowledge and credits for college, but it does not necessarily mean that you will be a professional in the field.

Build your knowledge of color theory

A major part of interior design is the use of color. Designers must understand the shades, tints, tones, shades, and hues of colors to pair them together.

You must also understand color theories to understand how to use color in interior design. For example, white is the pure hue of color, so it can be hard to add other colors to it without looking like a different color entirely.

Creating complements and tri-tones are important when designing with color. Complements are colors that stand out when paired together- for example, yellow and violet look very distinct from each other. Tri-tones are three very similar colors used together. They must be carefully chosen so that they do not look like a different color entirely.

Learn how to use software for design

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Having software skills is a great asset to have in the design world. Many designers love to teach how to use design software, because it helps you learn new techniques and approaches to art.

Some of the most popular software used by interior designers include: SketchUp, Rhonda Software, Google Apps, and ADPro. Some designers also use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or CAD software.

Some schools offer basic computer skills classes but do not provide any software training. It is best to check with your school and see what resources they offer.

Volunteer for local interior designers

Another great way to start your career in interior design is to volunteer at an interior design firm. You can do this by offering to help a designer with projects or by working with them on a project.

By volunteering you can get some hands-on experience and learn how projects are managed and carried out. You will also gain exposure which can lead to a job offer at another company.

Volunteering is a way for designers to gain talented staff members and promote their business. By giving you opportunities to learn and contribute, they are proving that they have confidence in your skills.

If you have done internships before, this is a great way to add another one onto your resume!

Volunteering at interior design firms is a good way to start your career in the industry, but you can also start freelancing on your own terms. You just have to be willing to work hard and prove your skills.

Network with other designers and professionals

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Networking is one of the most important skills you can develop as a designer. Networking allows you to grow your career and creativity by connecting with others.

Interior designers work with clients to create spaces that are designed and tailored to their needs. Clients include individuals, businesses, or real estate agents that have a space or property that needs design.

Some of the best ways to network as an interior designer is by attending events and talking with other event attendees, sharing your designs and ideas, and offering your services. You can also network through social media, offering tips and advice for other people that may lead to opportunities for you.

By connecting with other professionals in the industry, you can also share opportunities for collaboration on projects which can boost your career.

Take photos of your designs and keep a portfolio

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Having a portfolio of your best designs is essential to starting a career in interior design. You will need to put your best work forward to convince clients that you are the right designer for the job.

Having a physical or digital portfolio will allow you to share your designs with potential clients and employers. Clients look for creativity and skill when choosing an interior designer, so build up your best pieces and organize them by room type and/or order of completion.

Clients also look for reliability, so having past clients contact you to schedule appointments or ask for referrals is a good indicator of success.

Having both a digital and physical portfolio is helpful as both employers and potential clients are looking for different things.

Get certified by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

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Certification is a great way to start your career in interior design. By completing a certification program, you will be awarded with a title, like Certified Interior Designer (CID).

This title tells potential clients that you have studied and practiced enough to be recognized by your industry as someone who designs interiors. Clients will feel more confident in your design choices because of this.

In addition to the CID, completing an ASID certification study course will teach you many other things about interior design, including how to manage projects and clients, marketing strategies, and more.

There are several levels of certification offered by the ASID, so choose one that is right for you.

Learn tax laws for independent contracting

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Being your own boss has its perks, but it also has its liabilities.

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for filing your taxes and paying taxes to the government. You will need to file income tax returns every year and pay income tax every year.

To do this properly, you will need to learn the tax laws for independent contracting. How? Read on!

There are a few things you should learn about as an interior designer who is filing as an independent contractor. The first thing is learning about the various tax agencies that you will potentially have to pay taxes to.

The most important of these is knowledge of federal income taxes. You will need to know the appropriate tax brackets, and how to correctly file and pay taxes on your income.