Interior designer
Interior designers analyze, plan, develop, and manage non-structural designs for interior spaces. Their goal is to enhance the function, safety, and quality of the spaces, align with the customer's needs, vision and/or brand, meet applicable codes, and qualify for a building permit.
Quick facts: Interior designer | |
---|---|
2019 Median Pay | $56,040 per year; $26.94 per hour |
Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
Number of Jobs, 2019 | 77,900 |
Job Outlook, 2019-29 | - 5% (decline) |
Employment Change, 2019-29 | -3,800 |
Interior designers must be creative problem-solvers with good communication skills, able to draw (most typically with a computer-aided drafting or building-modeling program such as AutoCAD or Revit), read and edit construction documents. They also must be aware of building codes, inspection regulations, and other considerations, such as accessibility and fire-safety standards; and be able to collaborate effectively with other trades, such as architect, structural engineer, contractor, MEP engineer, lighting designer, acoustical engineer, and product vendors. Note that an interior designer, which most often works in the commercial field, is not the same profession as that of an interior decorator, which most often works in the residential field.
Interior designers play a significant role in green buildings through their designs that create efficient use of space, improve indoor environmental quality, and reduce the use of harmful materials. Their choices of materials, furniture, lighting, patterns, texture, and colors, as well as the floor plan layout and custom-casework designs, can reduce waste and increase health, efficiency, enjoyment, and productivity in the space.
Role on a LEED project
LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
The LEED credits this role influences most:
How to become an interior designer
Interior designers entering the occupation usually need a bachelor’s degree in any field, but programs in interior design are available at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. Some colleges are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Coursework should include classes in interior design, drawing, and computer-aided drafting (CAD), codes, art history, color theory, construction documents, professional practice, lighting, space planning, two- and three-dimensional design, among others.
Requirements vary from state to state regarding licensure as an interior designer, so it’s best to understand what is necessary for your state. NCIDQ Certification is the industry's recognized indicator of proficiency in interior design principles. Important skills include creativity, visualization, interpersonal, detail-orientation, and problem-solving.
Exploration tools
- Education courses
- Interior Solutions on the Climate Crisis
- Getting Interiors to Net Zero
- Sustainable Interiors 101
- Sustainable Strategies for Interiors
- The BuildingGreen Guide to Building Product Certifications and Ecolabels
- Health, Equity and Economic Growth for Energy Efficiency
- Discover the Elements of Biophilic Design
- Professional certifications and credentials
- LEED AP Interior Design + Construction (LEED AP ID+C)
- NCIDQ Certification
- Knowledge-based badges
- Activities
- Attend upcoming events related to design competitions, emerging professionals
- Connect with companies that work in this field