The Stylings of an Interior Designer

by Robyn Tellefsen

For some of us, the furniture, wall hangings, and color scheme of our current digs haven't changed much in all the years we've occupied them. But if you're a fan of feng shui and have a desire for design, then your home is probably the envy of your friends and neighbors. Why not take some of that style savvy and earn accolades for interior design outside your own abode?

Taking the First Step

There's a reason that HGTV is one of the most popular channels on cable TV; people are in love with learning how to make their homes the most comfortable and relaxing they can be. Even Cindy Crawford, super model extraordinaire, has strutted off the runway and into a new career in furniture and home accessories.

Vern Yip. Candice Olson. And now you? You already know that beauty lies within. Now, make your knowledge marketable to the outside world through interior design schools. Just be sure the program you're pursuing is accredited. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits approximately 250 schools with programs in art and design, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation accredits about 137 bachelor's degree programs in interior design.

Finding Your Balance

You're in! Through basic coursework -- including computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, perspective, spatial planning, color and fabrics, furniture design, architecture, ergonomics, ethics, and psychology -- interior design schools will teach you to develop a concept, write a brief, construct models and technical drawings, communicate a design proposal, and present your final plan to clients.

Beyond enhancing your artistic ability for an interior design career, you'll increase your interpersonal and managerial skill set. Though you may be accustomed to sketching solo, when it comes to the realization of your designs, you're going to need a little help from your friends. You'll be working with architects, engineers, and other consultants, and you'll be responsible for administering contract documents, bids, negotiations, progress reports, and evaluations. And again, if you watch HGTV, you'll see how much fun those design teams have when they work together--even when things don't always go according to plan.

Once you've earned your degree in interior design, you may enter a one- to three-year apprenticeship to gain experience before taking the licensing exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or joining a professional association such as the American Society of Interior Designers. Licensure is not only recommended, it's required in many states. When you pass the exam, you'll proudly bear the title of certified, registered, or licensed interior designer.

Reaching the Top
Aside from doing what you love and seeing your ideas become completed projects, you can also make a decent living with an interior design career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings for interior designers were $40,670 in May 2004. The highest paying jobs, of course, will go to professionals who have gained experience through interior design education and internships. The designers to the stars who have become stars in their own right can pretty much name their own price when it comes to taking a space from blah to wow.

Your knack for color, space, and aesthetics can be more than just a personal hobby. With an interior design education, you can turn your preliminary career sketches into workable future plans.