Interior design is a career choice that involves much more than creating warm, comfortable, and interesting home environments for other people. It is about optimizing space, natural lighting, and more in ways that are efficient, comfortable, and inviting, among other traits.

Interior design is about creating a beautiful, comfortable space that makes the best of what a home or office initially offers and improving on the least appealing aspects of the space. For example, a client struggling with how best to utilize a room with an unusual geometric layout might bring in an interior designer to make the space more appealing.

As aninterior designer, it's necessary to have a vision for projects you are working on, but that vision also must meet the needs and expectations of a client. For example, a client who hires you to redesign a waiting room is likely to have a few basic standards that must be met. They'll want the space to be inviting and comforting, and they'll want it to be designed so foot traffic moves naturally from a check-in area to chairs to internal offices. As an interior designer, everything you do must follow a client's basic request.

You certainly will your own ideas about how best to use a space and it's your responsibility to lay out all options for a client, but your decisions ultimately have to be made within the parameters established by the client.

The creative side of the business might be what draws you to interior design, but working with clients also means working within their budgets, meeting their deadlines, and establishing relationships with relevant subcontractors and suppliers that can help you and your clients meet your visions.

These subcontractors and suppliers are likely to include painters, wallpaper designers, electricians, furniture manufacturers, fabric wholesalers, and others as needed to make the design process seem effortless and stress-free. While anyone can hire individual subcontractors, part of being a good interior designer is knowing which subcontractor or supplier is right for which job. For example, a piece of specific furniture might be a good fit for one job but not another depending on the desired design.

Matching the right resources to the right jobs is a big part of interior design work, and having strong professional relationships with the various subcontractors and suppliers in your market can help you to get the best prices and the best service. As an example, a supplier who does a lot of work with you and knows you to be professional and reliable will be more willing than a stranger to expedite an order to meet a deadline.

Considering the overall space of a home and its individual rooms is one of the first things that an interior designer will consider. The dimensions of the space and how it was constructed are key features you must be aware of before you can move forward. What are the limitations of the space and what is its potential? What will the space be used forrelaxation, family, entertaining, or business?

Some of the practical considerations that should be considered are the lighting, the sound, seating arrangements, and identifying other needs such as requiring a place for storage and a workspace that ideally stimulates the senses.

Health and safety concerns also must be taken into consideration when designing a specific space or home. To address these needs, you must learn about the needs of your clients and identify what amenities would be appropriate in better meeting their needs. Are there certain psychological or behavioral needs of the occupants that should be addressed in the overall planning of the design, and is there an environmental impact on the way that the design is created?

Many people use the terms "interior design" and "interior decorating" interchangeably, but there is a significant difference. Interior decorating is mainly about using various forms of color and accents to make a particular space more visually appealing. Decorators arrange objects such as art, photos, pillows, floral arrangements, and other things using what already is available. Interior decorating is strictly about the art.

Interior designers, however, must be able to apply creative solutions to the spaces they are trying to design. They must have the technical expertise to know the vast array of options that they can apply to any one space. The goal of an interior designer is to work to improve the surroundings and the quality of life of its occupants. Interior design is about both art and science and how to use these two disciplines in creating a beautiful outcome.

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What Is It Like to Be an Interior Designer?

Designer, Interior Design Coordinator, Interior Design Director, Interior Designer

Whether visualizing a brand-new building or giving a fresh look to a tired room, interior designers are artists who play with space to create attractive, functional interiors. Interior designers select the elements that define an interior space, from furniture and paint colors to lighting and floor coverings. They may sketch freehand or use design software to create a plan that suits the clients needs and preferences and reflects how the space will be used. Interior designers draft project timelines and estimate costs, place orders for materials, and oversee the installation of design elements. At project completion, they follow up with clients to ensure their satisfaction. Designers must be familiar with building codes, local regulations, and universal accessibility standards. They may work with architects and builders to define permanent aspects of a space, such as the room size and wall or window placement. Some interior designers specialize, for example, in designing healthcare facilities, kitchens and bathrooms, or in using sustainability principles in their work. Meeting with clients during evening and weekend hours may be necessary. A number are self-employed. Typical employers include design firms, architects, and furniture stores. To enter the field, interior designers usually need a bachelors degree with a focus on interior design. Some states require licensure.

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Engineering and Technology

Business

Arts and Humanities

Safety and Government

Basic Skills

Problem Solving

Social

Verbal

Ideas and Logic

Attention

People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.

They do well at jobs that need:

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software

Graphics or photo imaging software

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Interior Designers at My Next Move

140 58th street Unit 8F BrooklynNY11220

465013

We are home furnishings professionals based in Brooklyn, USA. A team with over 70 years of combined experience, we locally design and handcraft real wood furniture, directly available to you online and at our Manhattan and Brooklyn locations.Locally sourced solid wood and select veneers are crafted and finished by our Brooklyn artisans, employing durable materials and finishes free of toxins and allergens. Our commitment to organic, sustainable principles is evident in our products and practices, contributing to healthier indoor air at home and at the workplace.Smartly designed for affordability, our collections pay attention to your urban interior living space needs. With an eye to utilizing space and providing unique storage solutions, we also custom-make for residential and commercial interiors.Our quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and choice of materials make urbangreen furniture timeless. By using sustainable materials and practices, our products benefit consumers, workers and the environment.All of our products are:- Locally Sourced: Our wood comes from local Northeastern sources. By staying so close to home, we dont add to the environmental burden of transportation emissions. - Locally Made: Our designs are handcrafted in our Brooklyn, NY factory by local craftsmen and sold directly to you.- Designed to Minimize Waste: At urbangreen, we foster affordability through green planning. We cut only the wood we need, eliminating waste, and source, manufacture, and ship our products ourselves, eliminating additional costs and providing you with exceptional value.- Fully Assembled: Our furniture comes fully assembled, thus reducing packaging waste and saving you time.Smart Designs:- Our pieces are inspired by both timeless classics and modern designs and are influenced by our combined passion for design and respect for our earth. - There is an elegant mesh of form and function. By taking into account the space we live in, we offer clean designs, unique storage solutions and utilize natural, durable materials to produce pieces that will last for a lifetime.- Each piece is totally customizable. From simple bookcases, fully designed kitchens, to commercial projects, our team will work with you to bring your vision to life.

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Best 15 Interior Designers and Decorators in New York, NY ...

I was lost, and in need of some serious design assistance, and that is when EcoChi came to the rescue!Debra and the EcoChi team became the interior designers of our new restaurant. Before contracting with EcoChi, I met with several other designers, but it was not until I spoke with Debra, that I found someone who saw my vision. She was able to articulate and envision how I wanted the space to feel and look. It is very difficult to be able to cohesively design an environment that simultaneously inspires you, soothes you and revitalizes you, and yet, Debra is able to execute such a vision. Its all the odds and ends that bring your space together, and EcoChi was able to tie together these design elements, leaving a fabulous end result.The experience you will garner with Debra and EcoChi team will be such a happy and memorable experience. She is very professional, and she forms a very personal and unique relationship with you. Furthermore, she always promptly replies to all your questions morning or night! I look forward to working with her again in the future!

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The 10 Best Interior Designers Near Me (with Free Estimates)

Following two courses in Fine and Decorative Arts at the Victoria & Albert Museum in the early 70s, shespentfive years as an apprentice forLondons top interior designers and eventually opened her own successful business, SZAPAR DESIGNS. Princess Michael was offered to re-decorate a suite in the Baltschug Kempinski hotel, Moscow, whichled to other commissions in Russia and Europe. Princess Michael spent 13 years on the Board of the V&A, before being appointedPresident of Partridge Fine Art in Bond Street.

As for Princess Michaels style, she says:

I would say that John Fowler had the most influence on my work as I studied the restoration of 17th and 18th century English manor houses. Once I married I had our apartment at Kensington Palace to re-decorate it had not been touched since basic restoration following a direct bomb hit during WWII and then our 17th century country house, Nether Lypiatt Manor in Gloucestershire, which was also in a quite dilapidated state.

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Art and Interior Design | Princess Michael of Kent

Interior designing is a process that can turn interior (inside) spaces into an effective setting (environment) suitable for people's activities and functions.

An interior designer is a person who creates a solution of any interior space. Also, he works on layout spaces of building and technical issues such as lighting, sounds, and temperature (air ducts).

Important things in interior designing include color balancing (matching colors), understanding how colors affect space and moods, knowledge of fabrics, building and electrical codes, and styles and trends.

These steps are required for an interior designer to do a perfect job.

There are specific types of interior design and specializations. Some types of interior design are residential design, commercial design, hospitality design, healthcare design, universal design, exhibition design, and spatial branding.

The designer tries to help customers look after their needs at home, their personality, and style and goals which make the home more comfortable. The designer should dose what the home needs, such as security and convenience.

Commercial interior designers design public spaces such as office buildings, community centers, museums, hotels, stores, warehouses, and libraries. In commercial design the designer have to create an environment that includes function and aesthetics. A commercial interior designer's work includes selecting paint colors, choosing artwork, accounting for acoustics and lighting, picking appropriate furniture, and placing all these together in the manner most appropriate to the venue. Recently commercial interior designers have worked with indoor plants and agro-inventions such as the Grofie Greenwall, which allows firms to bring a tropical forest, vegetable or herb garden right into the office, in order to reconnect office workers with nature. [1]

It is very important to get the office environment just right, and a commercial interior designer ensures just that. They ensure that the office looks aesthetically appealing, promotes a good work culture and radiates productivity. All this is important for a business owner to have their employees feel focused and confident in what they are doing. That's why an office should be feel like a home far from home. Your employees spent almost 8 to 9 hours a day in your office, if your office is not comfortable for them. They can't do their work with 100% productivity. To make your office more productive you need an office interior designer, who can design your office for more productivity and allow your employees to feel comfortable in your office. Furthermore, it is quite important for companies which frequently have clients over for consults, meetings and more. This way, they can establish a strong image of the company in the face in their face even before their meetings begun.

Hospitality designers design the places which have any relationship between guest and host such as hotels. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events, and other services for travelers and tourists.

Healthcare design is related to hospitals and how to make a good space to make the patient and staff very comfortable. Healthcare designers compare the evidence-based design with evidence-based medicine; that knowledge can help ensures that future healthcare facilities are built to improve clinical outcomes. In addition deeper understanding of the relationship between the built environment and quality of care will help ensure that healthcare facilities are designed to meet the diverse needs of patients, families, and staff.

Universal design is the design for all people around the world and to creating environments and products those are usable by all people to the greatest extent possible.[2]

There are many different types of exhibit, ranging from museum exhibitions, to retail and trades show spaces, to themed attractions, zoos and visitor centers. All types of exhibits aim to communicate a message through engaging their audiences in meaningful and compelling interactions. Use a wide range of technologies and techniques to develop experiences that will resonate with diverse audiencesenabling these targeted audiences to access the messages, stories and objects of an exhibit.

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Interior design - Simple English Wikipedia, the free ...

An interior designer enhances the function, safety and aesthetics of interior spaces while taking into account how different colors, textures, furniture, lighting, and space work together to meet occupants' or visitors' needs. He or she works with both private and public spaces including residences, shopping malls, schools, offices, and hospitals.

There were 72,000 interior designers employed in 2008.

Training to become an interior designer takes two to four years and is available from professional design schools or colleges and universities. One can earn an associate degree or certificate by attending a two to three-year program, or a bachelor's degree by attending a four-year program. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, one would most likely begin a one to three-year apprenticeship program at a design or architecture firm and work under the supervision of an experienced interior designer.

A graduate with a certificate or associate degree would usually start his or her career as an assistant to an interior designer.

Many states require interior designers to be registered, certified or licensed. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification administers a written exam that is required by these states. In order to sit for the exam, one needs six years of combined educationat least two years of postsecondary educationand experience. Continuing education is often required to maintain one's license, certification or registration.

One to three years of on-the-job training allows interior designers to advance to supervisory positions including chief designer or design department head. These positions are usually available in larger firms. Some experienced interior designers specialize in one aspect of design or open their own design firms.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that interior design will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018 but there will be a lot of competition for jobs. While there are a lot of people who want to work in this field, those who have significant formal training and are creative and persistent will fare best.

Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much an Interior Designer currently earns in your city.

On a typical design project an interior designer's tasks include:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Interior Designer.Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Interior Designer.

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Interior Designer - Career Information

Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials. They read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations.

Interior designers typically do the following:

Interior designers work closely with architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and builders, to determine how interior spaces will function, look, and be furnished. Interior designers read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations.

Although some sketches or drawings may be freehand, most interior designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software for the majority of their drawings.

Many designers specialize in a particular type of building (home, hospital, or hotel), a specific room (bathroom or kitchen), or a specific style. Some designers work for home furnishings stores, providing design services to help customers choose materials and furnishings.

Some interior designers produce designs, plans, and drawings for construction and installation. This may include floor plans, electrical layouts, and plans needed for building permits. Interior designers may draft the preliminary design into documents that could be as simple as sketches or as inclusive as construction documents, with schedules and attachments.

The following are examples of types of interior designers:

Sustainable designers use strategies to improve energy and water efficiencies and indoor air quality, and they specify environmentally preferable products, such as bamboo and cork for floors. They may obtain certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council. Such certification indicates that a building and its interior space was designed with the use of sustainable concepts.

Universal designers renovate spaces, to make them more accessible. Often, these designs are used to renovate spaces for elderly people and people with special needs; however, universal designs can benefit anyone. For example, an entry without steps may be necessary for someone in a wheelchair, but it is also helpful for someone pushing a baby stroller.

Kitchen and bath designers specialize in kitchens and bathrooms and have expert knowledge of the variety of cabinets, fixtures, appliances, plumbing, and electrical solutions for these rooms.

Lighting designers focus on the effect of lighting for home, office, and public spaces. For example, lighting designers may work on stage productions, in gallery and museum spaces, and in healthcare facilities, to find appropriate light fixtures and lighting effects for each space.

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Interior Designer Career Profile - Truity

An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionalityof a clients space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or residential. Interior designerswork closely with architects and clients to determine the structure of a space, the needs ofthe occupants, and the style that best suits both. The position is a combination of engineerand artist, and it takes a unique type of mind to handle both of those concepts well. Interiordesigners have to be good with more than color, fabric, and furniture; interior designers mustknow materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee the ordering, installation,and maintenance of all objects thatdefine a space. They also have to know aboutelectrical capacity, safety, and construction.This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from interior decorators.Interior designers have to be able to work with contractors and clients alike, planningand implementing all aesthetic and functional decisions, from faucet handles to miles of carpetingand all this usually must be done within a fixed budget. Interior designers are hiredfor their expertise in a variety of styles and approaches, not merely their own personal vision.Therefore, they have to be able to balance their own tastes and their clients tastesand bewilling to put their clients tastes first. This requirement can be frustrating at first for manywho enter the profession.Interior designers are often asked to begin their planning before construction of a spaceis finished; this means that they must be good at scheduling and comfortable reading blueprints.This element of the job comes as a surprise to many new interior designers, whoexpect to have less of an administrative and technical role and more of a role in influencingthe overall feel and appearance of a space. Those who thrive in the industry say this ability tobalance the practical with the aesthetic is crucial to being a successful interior designer.Interior design is hard work, but those who do it well find the work very satisfying.Paying Your DuesThe academic and professional requirements for most areas of design are fairly general,with the emphasis on portfolio development and professional experience. Interior design, however,has nationallystandardized requirements. Interior designers must have a bachelorsdegree. Employers look favorably on those who have studied engineering, design, and art. Thosewho want more specific study complete interior design programs. Across the United States andCanada, there are 105 colleges and universities accredited by the Foundation for Interior DesignEducation Research. Interior designers must also be familiar with federal, state, and local interiordesign codes (involving such issues as capacity, flammability, and stress levels). To be federallylicensed, prospective interior designers must pass the qualification exam given by theNational Council for Interior Design. Professional organizations are significant in this field,and many interior designers find it helpful to join one or more of them. To become eligible formembership, one must have completed two to three years of graduate work, worked in the fieldfor two to three years, and passed the federal licensing exam.Present and FutureIn years past, only the wealthy could afford to hire an interior designer. Most peopledesigned their interiors themselves. With the expansion and popularization of the field,along with significant reductions in the cost of materials, even modest-income families maynow hire interior designers. However, many still design their interiors without professionalhelp.Interior designers should have a bright future and are expected to be in demand. Manyowners and occupants of professional and residential complexes are turning to professionalinterior designers to shape their spaces. There is also significant age-pressure in the industry,and a significant number of interior designers are expected to retire soon. This will openadditional positions for younger interior designers. Discussions about making the requirementsfor the profession more stringent have been broached, but no specific legislative proposalshave emerged to date.Quality of Life

PRESENT AND FUTURE

Two years into the profession, many aspiring interior designers are working asinterns or assistants, as entry into the field is competitive. A number of studentsmake connections through relationships their schools have with major employers.. Duringthese first two years, many act as assistants, learning budgeting, competitive pricing, andclient communication skills. Salaries are low or nonexistent in these early years, hours arelong, and satisfaction may be low. About 20 percent of potential interior designers leave theprofession within the first three years.

FIVE YEARS OUT

After five years, interior designers have significant professional experience and apaying job in the industry. The large majority have passed the federal licensingexam. Many have associate-level responsibility for projects and work relatively unsupervised.Budgeting and cost-estimating are still reserved for more senior members of theprofession. Many consider starting their own interior design firm during these middle years.Hours become more stable, and salary increases.

TEN YEARS OUT

Ten-year interior designers have significant budgeting and cost-estimating responsibilityand extensive client contact. The majority of those who wanted to start theirown interior design firms have done so by this time, and many can point to a numberof homes, offices, or stores where potential clients can see living examples of their work.Hours remain stable, and salaries increase.

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Interior Designer Careers | The Princeton Review

The Interior DesignProgram at Southern Miss, which began in 1976, is accredited as a first professional-level degree program by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and was the first Mississippi program to obtain this accreditation. Requirements are in accordance with the published standards and guidelines of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

This program prepares students to identify, research, and solve problems related to the needs of people in residential, institutional, and commercial environments in order to enhance the quality of life and protect public health, safety, and welfare. The program's interdisciplinary approach addresses the demands and standards of qualification of the profession and related fields. The core of program requirements includes sequential studio courses covering the analysis, planning, and design of human environments. Supplemental courses include instruction in presentation, HVAC systems, lighting, plumbing, acoustics, codes, special needs, historic and contemporary furnishings/design, aesthetics, sustainable design, Autocad, BIMand professional procedures. The program emphasizes understanding and application of current technology, building codes and laws, oral and visual communication skills, relationship of the user and the immediate environment, and the designer's professional responsibility to society.

Professional designers, architects, manufacturers, and allied representatives serve the program in an advisory capacity as members of advisory boards, guest lecturers, part-time faculty, critics, and supervisors of interns. Further contact with professionals is supported through the Southern Miss American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) student chapter.Students participate in campus, community, state, and regional activities, and also participate as student members in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The dedicated interior design faculty members have strong academic backgrounds, practical work experience in the field of interior design, and are members of professional organizations. Faculty members are committed to providing a high-quality education for all students in the Interior Design program.

The mission of the Interior Design Program at Southern Miss is to provide a competitive, accredited education that nurtures student success in a welcoming environment in order to produce ethically responsible design professionals who think critically and create design solutions that address occupant health, safety and welfare.

The Interior Design Program values an experiential learning philosophy in which students learn by doing. We believe students should carry a heavy responsibility in their education, and we integrate students in the creation of this knowledge through active participation. Students must read, write and be able to discuss while engaging in critical thinking and problem solving activities. To achieve this philosophy, we promote research-based learning that integrates prior knowledge applied with new knowledge and skill sets as introduced through a linear course sequence. We utilize active-based learning in the classroom through the use of technology, games, and reward systems. We cultivate a dynamic learning environment that promotes cooperation and cross-learning between cohorts. Our learning environments offer a welcoming and safe place to experiment and collaborate with multiple disciplines and incorporates real world projects that provide opportunities for interaction with professionals in the field and related industries.

The Interior Design Program acknowledges the definition of a professional designer endorsed by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) and other design associations of North America and strives to meet the following goals:

To support the university mission to integrate students in the creation of knowledge and to nurture student success by providing a distinctive and competitive educational program embedded in a welcoming environment and to prepare graduates for meaningful life endeavors

To provide opportunities for students to interact with multiple disciplines in collaborative environments both on and off campus

To promote evidence-based design research in order to think critically and solve problems related to the needs of people diverse environments

To instill a sense of service, lifelong learning and social obligation

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Interior Design | The University of Southern Mississippi