{"id":19491,"date":"2014-10-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-13T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mymove-resources.lndo.site\/uncategorized\/\/10-things-you-should-know-about-becoming-an-interior-designer\/"},"modified":"2022-07-22T18:28:35","modified_gmt":"2022-07-22T18:28:35","slug":"things-you-should-know-about-becoming-an-interior-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymove.com\/home-inspiration\/interior-design\/things-you-should-know-about-becoming-an-interior-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become an Interior Designer (and What You Need to Know Before You Do)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some people have a knack for design. If you find decorating rooms and arranging furniture easy and fun, a career in interior design might be right for you. But before you start dreaming of room makeovers, consider first how to become an interior designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior designers, like any professionals, face challenges every day. And while some may not appeal to you, others may motivate and excite you. Let\u2019s take a look at how to become an interior designer, and things you should know before you sign up for classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is interior design your dream? Here\u2019s how to become an interior designer: <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Pursue a degree<\/b>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Klaus Vedfelt\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The field of interior design is far more than simply beautifying interior spaces. If you do have a knack for interiors, that\u2019s great \u2014 you\u2019re off to a good start! But you may be better suited to market yourself as a decorator. Interior designers, by contrast, typically have extensive education in fields like architecture, computer-aided design, or fine arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a formal education is becoming increasingly integral to interior design careers. Certain schools are recognized by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation<\/a>, which means they offer students what the industry considers \u201cthe fundamentals.\u201d Many universities offer an education in design, from New York Institute of Art + Design<\/a> to SCAD<\/a>, and many others<\/a>, including many two-year programs in interior design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 2: Network and find an internship<\/b>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Astronaut Images\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Networking with fellow professionals is a great way to move forward in the field of interior design. Find like-minded professionals, keep up to date on current design trends, and follow someone\u2019s work whom you admire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to get your foot in the door as a new interior designer is to find an internship<\/a>. You can do this through your college’s career center or ask university faculty for advice on internship opportunities. Additionally, many job search sites<\/a> have filters specifically for internships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 3: Get certified<\/b>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Gaf_Lila\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No matter which program you choose, you’ll need to pass the the National Council for Interior Design Qualification<\/a> (NCIDQ) exam to work in many states as an interior designer. This requires a design or architecture degree, plus two years of work experience to even take the exam. However, if you don’t have the required work experience yet, you can still take the Fundamentals section<\/a> of the test ahead of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 4: Create a portfolio<\/b>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Image: Caiaimage\/Charlie Dean\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Succeeding in interior design in large part depends on your work, but building a portfolio as a beginner is a bit of a catch-22 \u2014 you can’t build a portfolio without clients and you can’t get clients without a portfolio. An internship is a great way to get a head start on this, but you may need to take on some smaller projects for friends and relatives to help strengtjen your portfolio even more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testimonials from past clients go a long way towards impressing future clients or employers. Your portfolio should be a snapshot of who you are as a designer, how your process works, what special something you bring to each project, and how clients engage with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n