Interior and spatial designer
An interior and spatial designer is involved in the design or renovation of internal spaces, including structural alterations, furnishings, fixtures and fittings, lighting and colour schemes. Designs and feasibility studies are produced for commercial, leisure and domestic properties, and the designer oversees the project from beginning to end.
Interior/spatial designers work in a range of different commercial or domestic settings. The job combines the efficient and functional use of space with an understanding of aesthetics. Some designers, particularly in the domestic market, are concerned solely with the appearance, rather than the structure, of the interior.
Interior and spatial designers plan and organise the design of commercial and domestic interiors. Projects may take place in a range of settings, including:
Typical work activities include:
In addition, the interior designer may also sometimes act as a project manager for the client throughout the construction stage. This can involve coordinating the design on-site and even managing the construction team.
Entry to professional interior or spatial design usually requires a relevant degree, foundation degree or HND. The following subjects are preferred:
Degrees, foundation degrees or HNDs in architecture, furniture design, product design, textile design, graphic design or fine art may also be useful.
Entry without a degree or HND is possible for candidates with significant experience and creative flair.
Pre-entry postgraduate qualifications are not needed, but specialist courses do exist and may enable a move to interior/spatial design from another area of art and design. Taking a course in computer-aided design (CAD) or Photoshop may also be useful.
Voluntary or part-time work is usually necessary to gain prior experience if applications for full-time work are to be successful. Competition for work experience is strong so it is important to be proactive when looking for opportunities. Design directories, such as New Design Partners and the Directory of Design Consultants , are useful for identifying design companies to target with a speculative CV or personal call.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
Many courses provide students with the opportunity to showcase their work. However, as few graduates/diplomates are offered work from their degree shows, it is vital to network and take advantage of any opportunities that arise. Make as many contacts as possible during your studies and work experience, as they may be able to help get your career started.
Joining the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) is a good way to meet and make contact with established designers. There are now many websites where candidates can showcase work to employers and potential clients.
The demand for good interior designers is steadily rising, although competition remains fierce. Selection is often based on a portfolio that shows your design talent as well as your capacity to get involved in a range of different projects. It is unusual for employers to offer traineeships, and speculative approaches are strongly advised.
Many designers take other jobs before getting design work. There is a large pool of talent to select from, and interior design can be seen as an attractive second career.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Further training is widely considered to be a good way of developing your career and can open up new areas of expertise.
Short courses are run by further education, art and design or private colleges. Relevant professional bodies may also publicise opportunities. Useful subjects of study include:
It is important to research courses thoroughly to ensure they meet your requirements.
Large consultancies offer on-the-job training, and some may also provide courses on subjects such as negotiation, marketing (particularly branding), website creation, CAD and software packages such as Photoshop, Flash and Illustrator.
Members of the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) can access continuing professional development (CPD) courses, including training seminars and workshops, and are awarded a professional practice certificate to document this professional development. The CSD also offers a professional portfolio checking and updating service. It is also possible to study for a diploma in design business management.
The British Institute of Interior Design provides professional practice seminars to their members throughout the year on a range of subjects including business practice and regulatory matters. Members are also required to undertake a certain amount of CPD each year in order to update personal and professional skills, as well as network and share ideas.
Further study also provides the opportunity to experiment, diversify or obtain the specialist knowledge required to progress. Postgraduate Masters and PhDs are available in specialised areas of interior design and related subjects.
Designers interested in running their own practice may undertake business start-up training in associated skills such as finance, marketing and management.
Typically, interior designers spend the first five to ten years of their career developing and building on existing skills and knowledge, as well as gaining further experience. Beyond that, there is no definite or structured career path, and the extent and speed of career progression depends upon the setting, performance, aptitude and dedication of the individual.
Newly qualified junior designers tend to work alongside more experienced colleagues. They are typically given responsibility for parts of a project and can also assist with gathering information and putting together 'mood' or 'sample' boards for presentations to clients. This can then lead to more responsibility, depending on performance.
Specialisations and further professional qualifications at Masters or PhD level can enhance your chances of promotion. Moving from a larger consultancy to a smaller one can mean more responsibility. Freelance work for consultancies, practices or individual clients is possible, as is setting up your own business or becoming a partner in a consultancy.
It is important to build up a portfolio as you progress in your career. This can help both in terms of promotion within a company or consultancy and in attracting new clients if you are self-employed. The majority of established interior and spatial designers also showcase their work online in order to provide a portal into their services for potential clients.
Designers need to keep up to date with new developments in materials and processes throughout their careers by visiting exhibitions and attending trade fairs. Membership of professional bodies such as the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) and the British Institute of Interior Design can provide access to advice, continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and networking advice and contacts.
A career move into more specialist areas such as lighting design or theatre set design may be an option for those with relevant experience. Other areas of related work include visual merchandising and exhibition and museum design.
Graduates with experience and further postgraduate qualifications can enter the teaching profession, teaching in secondary, further or higher education.
Interior and spatial designers typically work for architects or design consultancies (interior or multidisciplinary) in private practice, or for commercial organisations with in-house design departments. Many also work on a freelance basis or are self-employed, although it is uncommon to set up your own business without first getting experience and building up a reputation and list of contacts.
Clients may be in the public sector, private industry or commerce and include:
Increasingly, opportunities exist working for domestic customers in the expanding field of house interiors. This may include the restoration and/or maintenance of historically important buildings as part of a team of architects/designers.
Retail outlets selling furnishings, wallpapers, paints, etc. employ in-house designers/customer advisers, although the route into these positions is sometimes via the sales floor and not through formal qualifications in interior design.
Design directories are useful for identifying design companies to target with a speculative CV or personal call. These include:
Some of the larger recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. Search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) consultancy finder for details of relevant member agencies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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