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Interior and spatial designer: Salary and conditions

• Range of typical starting salaries as a junior designer: £22,000 - £26,000 (salary data collected Oct 08)
• Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 8-15 years in the role): £30,000 - £70,000. Creative/design directors can earn up to £75,000 (salary data collected Oct 08)
• Salaries vary widely and depend to a large extent upon location, reputation and contacts. It is sometimes possible to command high earnings, particularly when there is involvement with high-profile 'prestige' projects.
• Freelance designers charge anything from £18 per hour upwards (salary data collected Oct 08).
• Working hours typically include regular extra hours but not shifts.
• Evening and weekend work should be expected. Since the designer's role is often integral to a larger construction and development process, flexibility with working hours is an accepted norm.
• Most interior and spatial designers work in studios. Self-employed designers often work from home or from a rented studio.
• Smart dress is usually the norm, but there is an acceptance of individuality in appearance and behaviour. On-site work requires appropriate dress, which may include a hard hat and overalls.
• Working to completion dates and budgets may be stressful.
• Part-time work is possible.
• Self-employment and freelance work are common.
• Jobs are available in most parts of the UK and tend to follow concentrations of activity in the broader construction industry. There is a predominance of specialist consultancies in the South East.
• Travel within a working day is frequent, and absence from home at night is sometimes required. Many designers visit exhibitions and trade fairs to keep up with the latest trends.
• There are opportunities to work abroad with some of the larger design consultancies.

AGCAS

Written by Wendy Reed, AGCAS

Last updated:

October 2008

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