Occupation Profile for Interior Designers
Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Signficant Points
- Keen competition is expected for jobs because many talented individuals are attracted to this occupation.
- About 26 percent are self-employed.
- Postsecondary education—especially a bachelor’s degree—is recommended for entry-level positions; some States license interior designers.
Tasks
- Core — Estimate material requirements and costs, and present design to client for approval.
- Core — Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, and purpose and function.
- Core — Advise client on interior design factors such as space planning, layout and utilization of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
- Core — Select or design, and purchase furnishings, art works, and accessories.
- Core — Render design ideas in form of paste-ups or drawings.
Activities
- Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.