What are the Job Duties of an Interior Designer?

Interior designers improve interior spaces to meet the needs and preferences of those spaces' inhabitants. While interior designers may work on a wide variety of buildings, their job duties are usually the same. They analyze clients' needs, create plans and specifications, and make sure that a project is finished in accordance with the timeline and budget.

Career Overview: Interior Designer Job Description

What does an interior designer do? Interior designers:

improve the look, usage, and safety of interior spaces
assess and meet the needs of the occupants
enhance all aspects of the space, including color, lighting, textures, furniture, and spatial relationships

Interior designers work on the interior spaces of many different kinds of buildings, including homes, offices, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, and theaters. However, their duties are similar from project to project.

Important Facts About This Occupation

Required Education	Bachelor's degree; additional certification and training can be helpful
Licensure	Requirements vary in each state; some states only allow the use of the title 'interior designer' to those who pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam
Specialty Certification	Voluntary certification in a specialty area is available
Key Skills	Interpersonal and problem-solving skills; attention to detail, artistic ability, vision, and creativity
Work Environment	Office setting, residential locations
Similar Occupations	Architect, fashion designer, floral designer, graphic designer

Interior Designer Job Duties

As the interior designer goes through the process of evaluating and carrying out a project, the job duties of an interior designer typically fall into three categories:

Assessing a client's needs
Creating a plan and specifications
Ensuring that work is completed on time and on budget

Assessing a Client's Needs

Interior designers meet with their client to examine the space and understand the client's preferences and budget constraints. For example, an interior designer remodeling a bathroom for a family would meet with the family members to determine their habits and to examine the current lighting, colors, and spatial relationships. According to the American Society of Interior Designers (www.asid.org), interior designers in charge of decorating newly built commercial structures (hotels, restaurants, etc.) may also be involved in planning the building's construction.

Creating a Plan and Specifications

Next, an interior designer creates a design plan, often using computer-aided design (CAD) software. This plan is usually developed in conjunction with the client, who is shown drawings and product samples for approval. After a rough design is agreed upon, the designer estimates the costs and specifications are drawn for the required furniture, flooring, artwork, and lighting. A project timeline is also created at this point.

Ensuring that the Work is Completed on Time and on Budget

Finally, an interior designer oversees the implementation of the design, making sure that the timeline is met and costs are kept within budget. After the project is finished, the designer meets with the clients to make sure that they are happy with the work.

Employment and Salary

In 2018, interior designers earned a median salary of $53,370 a year, according to the BLS. Those employed by the federal government made the most money at an average of $81,100 per year, with those working for professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers coming in second, earning an average of $73,890 a year. The employment of interior designers is projected to grow at a slower-than-average pace of 4% between 2016 and 2026, stated the BLS.