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Interior Designers

THE JOB

INTERIOR DESIGNERS plan and design or redesign attractive and useful
interiors for homes, hotels, ships, hospitals, office buildings, and other
commercial structures.  They can be classified by the following general
categories:

(1)  Designers who own and operate design studios

(2)  Designers who work as assistants or associates in design firms

(3)  Designers employed by retail or office furnishings stores

(4)  Designers employed by architectural firms

(5)  Designers employed in the design departments of large firms and
     institutions

Interior Designers usually work directly with clients and must consider
their requirements, tastes, preferences, and budget.  They must keep form,
color, scale, and arrangement in balance, and at the same time be concerned
with utility, construction, economy, and client satisfaction.  Designers
should be familiar with the nature of woods, textiles, and decorating
products such as paint and wallpaper.  They should be knowledgeable about
the historical periods that have influenced the development of furniture
style and room design.

Designers often work from blueprints, make detailed floor plans, and draw
furniture to scale.  They shop in wholesale markets to locate furnishings
and accessories, and, when necessary, design original pieces to be made to
order.  They often work closely with both building and landscape architects
in planning the interiors of new buildings or remodeling old ones.
Presentations for client approval usually include a sketch or scaled floor
plan showing furniture arrangement, color charts, and samples of upholstery,
draperies, and wall coverings.  The complete proposal includes an estimate
of the cost for the installation.  After the proposal is accepted, Interior
Designers assemble furnishings and act as agents for their clients by
contracting and supervising the services of craft workers.

Some Interior Designers may specialize in color coordination, lighting,
furniture or fabric design.  Others may teach at universities, art schools,
or adult education facilities.


WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment is usually quite pleasant; however, much time is spent
away from headquarters, meeting with clients, contractors, or shopping.
Designers must drive in all types of weather and sometimes work in buildings
under construction.  They often carry heavy, bulky sample books and
sometimes have to climb ladders.  Designers should have a valid California
driver's license, and some employers require workers to have the use of a
car.

Designers have to cope with administrative details and masses of paperwork
such as specifications, estimates, and purchase orders.  They must be able
to deal tactfully with clients and supervise craft workers.  Work is often
performed under the pressure of deadlines and budget limitations.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993           3,220
Estimated number of workers in 2005           3,790
Projected Growth 1993-2005                      18%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   640

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.) 

Continuous use of design services in residences and commercial
establishments has increased the demand for qualified interior designers.
Many consider the employment of an Interior Designer a luxury expense, so
job opportunities are more frequent in prosperous times.  When the economy
turns down, chances of employment decrease markedly.  Competition is very
keen in this occupation, as there are more applicants than available job
openings.  Consequently, employers are becoming more selective and prefer to
hire experienced job seekers instead of the trained but inexperienced.
Additional job opportunities will result from the need to replace workers
who leave the labor market.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Designers may be paid a salary, commission, or salary plus commission.  The
median wage for designers in California is $15.06.  New designers usually
start at a lower wage.  Commissions may be included.  Experienced designers
may earn $60,000 a year or more.  Independent and self-employed designers
often earn more; their incomes vary with the type, size, and complexity of
projects, and upon their reputations and acceptance in the community.  A
small number of nationally known designers earn as much as $100,000 to
$250,000 or more a year.  Work hours are irregular to accommodate clients
and may often involve nights and weekends.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

A successful Interior Designer must expect a long hard struggle.  To succeed
one must possess a combination of talent, personality, and a healthy
competitive sense.  Years of experience and training are necessary in order
to advance.  A beginning Interior Designer must accept jobs that offer basic
practical experience and put up with long hours and difficult clients.  Good
computer skills, particularly with regard to drawing software programs, are
becoming more and more desirable.

Satisfaction in this work is found through artistic expression and
interpretation of client's tastes.  Interior Designers derive a great deal
of pleasure from working with beautiful things and from seeing the results
of careful planning and creative ideas.  Interior Designers must work hard
and be patient in order to succeed.

Entry into the profession of interior design usually requires graduation
from an accredited college, university or professional school of interior
design.  The course of study should include principles of design, history,
art, free hand and mechanical drawing, and basic architecture.
Correspondence or home study courses are not considered a substitute for
formal education.  New designers should expect to continue their education
on the job.  It generally takes three to five years of practical experience
to become fully qualified.  Assignments in selling or shopping provide
excellent on-the-job training.  Part-time or summer employment in the
furniture department of retail stores or large architectural firms provide
good basic training for students and may lead to a permanent job.

Interior Designers are eligible for membership in the American Society of
Interior Designers (ASID) or the Institute of Business Designers (IBD) if
they meet the membership requirements which include professional training
and experience and the passing of the National Council for Interior Design
Qualification (NCIDQ) examination.


ADVANCEMENT

Promotion for Interior Designers usually consists of assignment to more
complex jobs with larger budgets and salary increases.  Very talented
Interior Designers may advance to the head of a decorating or design
department.  They may become interior furnishings coordinators or be given
other supervisory positions in department stores or larger decorating or
design firms.  Designers with additional experience and consulting expertise
may go into business for themselves


FINDING THE JOB

Interior Designers find jobs through their school and by direct application
to employers, private employment agencies, or the California Employment
Development Department Job Service.  It is advisable to prepare a portfolio
of work for presentation.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Institution of Business Designers
341 Merchandise Mart
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 467-1950

American Society of Interior Designers:

Headquarters
608 Massachusetts Ave. N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-3480

Los Angeles Chapter
Pacific Design Center Bldg., M52
8687 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 659-4716

California North Chapter
Two Henry Adams Street, Suite 301
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 626-ASID
www.designfinder.com/index.html

Foundation for Interior Design Education Research
60 Monroe Center, N.W., Suite 300
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 458-0400


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Commercial Artists               No.   4
Fashion Designers                No. 185
Architects                       No. 210

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Interior Designer            142.051-014

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Interior Designers                340410

Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.