The Design Principle
Design appeals to a great many would-be students. But, the life of an interior decorator and designer is not for the faint of heart. Although you will not make a great deal of income in the first few years out of school, you will be networking and gaining invaluable experience. As with most career paths, experience turns into higher fees and greater income. As your number of contacts increases, so too will the opportunities to pad your bank account.
As with any field, a graduating student must have that elusive combination of skill, education, and talent. A number of well-regarded colleges, universities, and academies sponsor design programs geared towards producing highly qualified decorating graduates. No matter where you decide to enroll, you will undoubtedly being your academic career with a core of design courses. These courses will lay the foundations to advanced conceptual courses and eventual fieldwork.
There are many sides to the art of interior design; after all it is an art form. You can see it in the decorations of any given space, including the walls, furniture, light fixtures, windows, doors and everything in-between. Whereas some clients seek out interior designers for office spaces, others employ them for help with their homes. A qualified designer must take the surrounding architecture, a client’s personal tastes, and the client’s budget into consideration when imagining a space.
Do you want to work as a contractor or with a firm? Some graduates want to work with a firm in their first few years, learning the basic guidelines and the requirements of agency life. Other graduates exploit internships and make their ways into diverse companies. Either way, it is important you get your feet wet. After you graduate you will have to ask some key questions. The competition will be fierce.
Finding the right school can be time-consuming. Explore the options in your area, but remember where you study will affect where you work. Often graduates are scattered to companies and clients in the general area of the school. If the notion of living in a new city is appealing, research the available universities and the surrounding neighborhoods. The people living there are going to be your future clients.
