What tips do you have for anyone trying to break into interior design?

6 years ago

If you're an interior designer what tips can you give to people looking to break into the industry?

Do you recommend certain courses and qualifications, or memberships? And what about skills? What are the essential skills to possess?

South London Victorian Home · More Info

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Comments (5)

PRO
Ensoul Ltd
5 years ago
Hi Emmeline, when we started Ensoul, we looked at the key challenges a home owner faces when looking to renovate their property which were primarily Space Planning, Interior Design, Architectural Design and Project Management/Procurement. We then built a company with a set of people with the relevant and deep skills to address these challenges.

There is then the question you raised about "if you were starting out, how would you get these skills" and i think there are two points of view on this. Firstly, if you look at a parallel with the catering world, some of the world's best chefs are self taught, some have been trained by the best Chefs to learn their craft and some have combined both approaches with academic qualifications as well. So, there is no right answer, everyone's learning pathway will be different.

However, there is one clear theme that i do see with every successful person i have had the pleasure to meet during my 30 years in business, and that is this, those people with a deep passion and an innate talent for something always rise to the top.

I hope this helps, best regards, Mike Lander, Director, Ensoul (and a passionate project manager for over 25 years)
Emmeline Westin thanked Ensoul Ltd
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hello Emmeline,

I absolutely agree with Ensoul's thinking surround ability and the route to skills, experience etc- it's refreshing to see someone else with my viewpoint.. There are plenty of people doing "Interior Design" courses because they paid to do it, but do they have an innate talent, good taste, adaptability, a natural eye for spatial planning, colour, complimentary schemes, understanding a client for example..

Being able to intuit a client wants and read them is as much a skill needed as any of the usual considerations so a degree of investigative skills and emotional awareness will obviously lead to a greater understanding of one's client and their home or space worked on as this too is of equal importance. Working with a variety of periods and styles which is paramount for any designer- Versatility is key!

People tend to focus on training but this does not necessarily lead to success and nor does it automatically suggest someone's brilliance.. This is what I look for, regardless of how someone has come to acquire this....

: ))
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ksgrant . . . . . I was on a very tight budget, but knew I was going to hit a wall and need a designer consult. I had space plan drawings for my kitchen and used the design services (free w/ cabinet purchase, CAD) to complete the space. I also had very specific inspiration photos that reflected the same perspective as the space, i.e. window placement over sink (light), position of appliances, prep sink. I paid close attention to how I intended to use the space, needed prep space for a least three cooks. I read a lot about the "triangle". Mostly I spent a lot of time with the plans and considering materials in relation to the inspiration photos. For instance, I wanted soapstone but it was out of budget and went with honed black granite to get the same look. Another example is that I wanted the kitchen to have some of the same elements as the old one to reflect the period of the house, so I had venting added to cabinet piece in front of the sink. Houzz was not available at the time, I would have posted some plans/materials here for more input and suggestion. Feel free to email me at tirgoddess.com for any other questions, happy to help. More than anything, take your time and do your research.
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College's do part time/ full time courses, I did HNC in interior architecture and then I swapped to architectural technology as I preferred the technical side more, but my classmates continued to HND and last month went on to 3rd year at uni studying interior design and love it. I agree that distance learning won't be very good, at college/uni you receive guidance from people who have studied architecture/ fine art/ graphic design/ 3D computer design/ live clients from the industry/ , not forgetting what you learn from classmates and feedback on your designs. It's a tough course that was a real eye opener for me as I really did think I was going to be matching curtains or something but it's defo much more than that and has made me in awe of interior designers and the the work that they put in.
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Hi Gillian, it's very difficult and time consuming to learn how to use a rendering software. Even after knowing the basics it would take a lot of practice and extra learning to get professional and life-like results. Have a look around for night courses in your area, they may have an AutoCAD/Sketch Up one available if this is the route you're wanting to take. When I first started, I attempted to learn but found it was far too intricate and I just didn't have the time, I instead hired someone to do it for me. I would offer clients either a computer rendered photo of what the project will look like completed or a few drawings done by myself of what the completed project will look like. The mock ups done on AutoCAD I hired someone for would cost more for the client and would take 1-3 months to complete, as appose to the drawings that would take me a few days and were less expensive. It's whatever you think best for you and your client! Thanks, Meredith
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Hi JA, We have two dogs and have just moved to a house that requires renovation including structural from top to bottom (and it's 5 bedrooms and 3 floors) We hired Gina from Create Perfect (on here) and she's been absolutely amazing. She prevented us from spending a fortune in unnecessary extensions and showed us how to reconfigure our space through working with a structural engineer to get the space we needed without extending. We were given 3D images of different layouts and floor plans with advantages and disadvantages of each to help us visualise and prioritise what was important to us. She created 3D images of all of our rooms and even shopping lists of the suggested items we should buy. (I've attached a few pics to try and show you what sort of thing you get) She was available 24/7 literally and was more help than I could ever have imagined beforehand. The cost was remarkably reasonable and a fraction of what we're spending on the house. We also benefitted hugely from here trade discounts, which she was happy to pass on. A good designer with me a huge help not only with decorating schemes but the plans and layout for your house, they will also put a high emphasis on what you need and design around it (including pets) so you get a house that fits your lifestyle and doesn't just look like a show room. Best decision I could possibly have made to hire Gina (Create Perfect in here) and can't recommend highly enough the advantages of getting a good designer on board; it made the whole process fun too! Pick the right person and they will be a pleasure to work with and super respectful of your budget and lifestyle. Good luck with your project
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PRO
HAMILTON WESTON WALLPAPERS LTD
5 years ago
I very much agree with both above comments, but I also think it very important to be have some knowledge of historic styles and period detailing, as you won't always be working on new build projects.

As an Interior designer, Space Planner and Architectural Historian with over 30 years in the field, it is so easy to overlook working together correctly with existing period details such as proper moulding profiles, proportions and positioning of details for the date of the house involved. I've seen horrible pastiche projects where they've tried to recreate missing detailing or to carry detailing into new additions and getting it horribly wrong. You can easily find good companies recreating plasterwork such as ceiling roses, mouldings and bracketing or doors, etc. but putting them together in correct context takes skill and judgement which can easily make or break a scheme! When you're working on an historic building it's easy to establish its dating and do a bit of research on the building period involved. A bit of research will always pay off and add to your overall skills.
PRO
Sage Blinds & Interiors
5 years ago
Hi Emmeline,

I am 18 and have been doing this course since September. I work full time in an Interior design show room, you can check out the company on our profile. If you are considering this to be a career I really do recommend this programme.

If you have not had any experience in this industry, it doesn't make a difference. The academy takes you through your career step by step with your personal tutor at hand.

I am currently studying a home course with The British Academy Of Interior Design based in London. I have felt a great deal of satisfaction being able to get a great understanding of Interior design. Not only are you studying at your own leisure but you are able to be free with your designs and helps with future clients.

I hope this helps you become a great designer. Please don't hesitate to contact me and I can talk you through the process.

Thank you for your time.

Lauren.

please find the link below to the website.

http://www.baid.co.uk/courses.php
PRO
Pat Oliver Interior Design
5 years ago
Hi Emmeline,

When I started my business as an interior designer, I had no qualifications or experience, just an instinct for putting a room together in a creative way and an ability to communicate with and interpret my clients' visions.

However, if I was to do it all over again, I'd take a course like the one I used to teach, the National Certificate of Interior Design. The course was designed to teach students how to take a brief from a client, research architecture, interiors and products and to develop a design scheme that was original, creative and innovative. Student learned to produce scaled drawings and 3-D visuals to be able to communicate their ideas to others. They studied the elements and principles of design as well as design history. The course gave students a good grounding on which to begin their careers.

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What tips do you have for anyone trying to break into interior design?

Comments (5)

Ensoul Ltd

Amber Jeavons Ltd

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