What are the Job Duties of an Interior Designer?

<p>What does an interior designer do? Interior designers: </p> <ul><li>improve the look, usage, and safety of interior spaces </li><li>assess and meet the needs of the occupants </li><li>enhance all aspects of the space, including color, lighting, textures, furniture, and spatial relationships </li></ul><p>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. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Required Education</td><td> Bachelor's <a href="http://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Educational_Requirements_to_Be_an_Interior_Designer.html">degree</a>; additional certification and training can be helpful</td></tr> <tr><td>Licensure</td><td> Requirements vary in each state; some states only allow the use of the title 'interior designer' to those who pass the <a href="http://learn.org/articles/What_is_Interior_Design_Certification.html">National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam</a></td></tr> <tr><td>Specialty Certification</td><td> Voluntary certification in a specialty area is available</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Interpersonal and problem-solving skills; attention to detail, artistic ability, vision, and creativity</td></tr> <tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> Office setting, residential locations</td></tr> <tr><td>Similar Occupations</td><td> Architect, fashion designer, floral designer, graphic designer</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---InteriorDesignerJobDuties">Interior Designer Job Duties</h3> <p>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: </p> <ul><li>Assessing a client's needs </li><li>Creating a plan and specifications </li><li>Ensuring that work is completed on time and on budget </li></ul><h4 id="section---AssessingAClientSNeeds">Assessing a Client's Needs</h4> <p>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 (<i>www.asid.org</i>), interior designers in charge of decorating newly built commercial structures (hotels, restaurants, etc.) may also be involved in planning the building's construction. </p> <h4 id="section---CreatingAPlanAndSpecifications">Creating a Plan and Specifications</h4> <p>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. </p> <h4 id="section---EnsuringThatTheWorkIsCompletedOnTimeAndOnBudget">Ensuring that the Work is Completed on Time and on Budget</h4> <p>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. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentAndSalary">Employment and Salary</h3> <p>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.</p>