3 answers
Taylor
Student
Bemidji, Minnesota
1
Question
Updated
390 views
How can I be a successful and efficient interior designer?
What is the best way to look into internships that can lead to successful and fulfilling careers in interior design?
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2 answers
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
To be successful, be present at many art events. Understand what is in style, understand what people want in their homes. Look at retail places and what is popular what year because likely your clients will reference that design or style. Don't be afraid of doing something cheesy to get a job. Whenever you can put your style and influence all over what you do.
Make sure you can pick out the difference between a $40 Home Depot light fixture and a $4000 artistic light fixture. Make sure you can point out the visual impact difference between a $50 set of Walmart curtains and $5000 custom made/ imported curtains. Educate your customers on what the differences are as well.
To be efficient, define a style of what you do. Make it the "Bemidji-Taylor" style so when people contact you they know what you are likely going to do. Work out and document your pallets, your design, your arrangement, your artwork, and make sure it all makes sense and looks good in your portfolio. Have some consistent naming scheme so customers can easily state what they want using your vocabulary. Think of starbucks "venti" vs "tall", they really don't mean anything but just having to use that vocabulary automatically brands their products.
Be flexible and willing to travel in order to work. Attend events thrown by your clients, make contacts there. Work with artists and buy art for your clients from artists you know. Know a painter, drywall specialist, electrician, flooring specialist, and a window installer/ specialist. It's often that people furbish an entire room to start, then get an interior designer, then start to hire contractors after. This is inefficient and sometimes you will get stuck with trying to get the perfect wall color before continuing, drive your projects to finish. Get your own team of professionals on call so you can work quickly for your clients.
Consider doing commercial places as well. Businesses and offices need design too.
Be a guru when it comes to design. Educate your clients and start to introduce them to a way of living they have not experienced before. Be patient with clients and accept them if they have cheesy taste or don't like fancy design. Become one unit that someone can hire and all of the actions to making a dream house/ room/ business come true for someone. Let your ideas have depth, but be easily purchased by a client.
Make sure you can pick out the difference between a $40 Home Depot light fixture and a $4000 artistic light fixture. Make sure you can point out the visual impact difference between a $50 set of Walmart curtains and $5000 custom made/ imported curtains. Educate your customers on what the differences are as well.
To be efficient, define a style of what you do. Make it the "Bemidji-Taylor" style so when people contact you they know what you are likely going to do. Work out and document your pallets, your design, your arrangement, your artwork, and make sure it all makes sense and looks good in your portfolio. Have some consistent naming scheme so customers can easily state what they want using your vocabulary. Think of starbucks "venti" vs "tall", they really don't mean anything but just having to use that vocabulary automatically brands their products.
Be flexible and willing to travel in order to work. Attend events thrown by your clients, make contacts there. Work with artists and buy art for your clients from artists you know. Know a painter, drywall specialist, electrician, flooring specialist, and a window installer/ specialist. It's often that people furbish an entire room to start, then get an interior designer, then start to hire contractors after. This is inefficient and sometimes you will get stuck with trying to get the perfect wall color before continuing, drive your projects to finish. Get your own team of professionals on call so you can work quickly for your clients.
Consider doing commercial places as well. Businesses and offices need design too.
Be a guru when it comes to design. Educate your clients and start to introduce them to a way of living they have not experienced before. Be patient with clients and accept them if they have cheesy taste or don't like fancy design. Become one unit that someone can hire and all of the actions to making a dream house/ room/ business come true for someone. Let your ideas have depth, but be easily purchased by a client.
Love your original advice!!! Spot on.
Julie Ann Shahin
Julie Ann Shahin
Interior Designer/Business Owner
14
Answers
Irondequoit, NY
Updated
Julie Ann’s Answer
Hi Taylor,
Getting hired without experience isn't about luck; it's about being smart and persistent. Here's a strategy that worked for me in interior design.
1. Choose Your City: Decide where you want to live and work. Location affects design culture, firms, and networking opportunities.
2. Research Firms: Look into design firms in that area. Check their portfolios and reviews on sites like GlassDoor and Yelp to see if they fit your style and work environment.
3. Schedule Interviews: Contact firms for a 13-minute interview. The specific time shows respect for their schedule and stands out. If you can't visit, set up a Zoom call.
Interview Script:
"Hi, I'm (your name), a design student at [school name]. I'm interviewing designers in [city] for a project. Could you spare 13 minutes for an interview?"
If they decline, ask for their name and two quick questions:
1. What do you love and dislike about being a designer?
2. Who do you respect most in this field?
Send a handwritten thank-you note afterward.
Full Interview Questions:
1. What do you love and dislike about being a designer?
2. Who do you respect most in this field?
3. What helped you when starting in interior design?
4. Who is your firm's biggest competition?
Respect the 13-minute limit and send a thank-you note afterward.
Building Experience:
Start a portfolio with your own design projects. Use tools like SketchUp or Canva. Share your work on one social media platform or a blog. Volunteer to gain experience, like offering free room redesigns or helping with seasonal decorating.
Next Steps:
This week, list 10 firms and call the first three. In three months, follow up with your contacts to thank them and inquire if they know anyone hiring. Don't directly ask for a job—ask for connections instead.
Making calls might feel uncomfortable, but it's worth it. Let me know how it goes.
Getting hired without experience isn't about luck; it's about being smart and persistent. Here's a strategy that worked for me in interior design.
1. Choose Your City: Decide where you want to live and work. Location affects design culture, firms, and networking opportunities.
2. Research Firms: Look into design firms in that area. Check their portfolios and reviews on sites like GlassDoor and Yelp to see if they fit your style and work environment.
3. Schedule Interviews: Contact firms for a 13-minute interview. The specific time shows respect for their schedule and stands out. If you can't visit, set up a Zoom call.
Interview Script:
"Hi, I'm (your name), a design student at [school name]. I'm interviewing designers in [city] for a project. Could you spare 13 minutes for an interview?"
If they decline, ask for their name and two quick questions:
1. What do you love and dislike about being a designer?
2. Who do you respect most in this field?
Send a handwritten thank-you note afterward.
Full Interview Questions:
1. What do you love and dislike about being a designer?
2. Who do you respect most in this field?
3. What helped you when starting in interior design?
4. Who is your firm's biggest competition?
Respect the 13-minute limit and send a thank-you note afterward.
Building Experience:
Start a portfolio with your own design projects. Use tools like SketchUp or Canva. Share your work on one social media platform or a blog. Volunteer to gain experience, like offering free room redesigns or helping with seasonal decorating.
Next Steps:
This week, list 10 firms and call the first three. In three months, follow up with your contacts to thank them and inquire if they know anyone hiring. Don't directly ask for a job—ask for connections instead.
Making calls might feel uncomfortable, but it's worth it. Let me know how it goes.