Interior and spatial designer : Employers and vacancy sources

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:

• commercial and construction companies;
• companies in the hotel and leisure industries;
• local government bodies;
• retailers;
• theatre, TV and film companies.

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.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Design Week  
• Careers in Design  
• Adrem  
• Designers Business Agency  
• Network Design  
• FX Magazine  
• Architects' Journal  
• Mad  
• Campaign  
• British Institute of Interior Design  

Design directories are useful for identifying design companies to target with a speculative CV or personal call. These include:

• New Design Partners  
• Directory of Design Consultants  

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.