Building a successful career in interior designing is possible by combining sheer creativity with a strong academic foundation, and gaining the right skills and knowledge in this field. While creativity and passion are important in this industry, a well-rounded education, hands-on skills, and a strategic network are just as important to make it as an interior designer. There are many interior design courses after 12th that can help you enhance your knowledge and build on your skills in interior designing.
The interior design industry is vast as modern homes and commercial properties need a smart layout to make the most of the available space. Let us take a deep dive into how you can turn your passion into a profession and build a successful career in interior design:
Build on Core Knowledge and Skills for Interior Design Careers
- Pursue a Degree in Interior Design
A bachelor’s degree like B.Des. Interior Design can help you gain the right knowledge and training to become an employable interior designer. Another advantage of pursuing a degree is that it can give you the foundation to pursue entrepreneurship as you will have the necessary qualifications to attract various clients.
- Develop Key Skills
Since interior designing is a hands-on field, you will need to skill-up to attract the right opportunities. Pursuing a degree in this field will teach you about the principles of designing, colour theory, textile knowledge, history of design, and space planning. All these aspects of interior design need to be mastered to become an interior designer.
- Master Designing Software
There are many excellent designing software available that can make designing fun and professional at the same time. Mastering such software can help you create plans, visualise, and present your plans to clients. Some prominent designing software are AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, which are included in the curriculum of top interior design degree programs.
Work on Gaining Experience and Building a Portfolio
- Apply for Internships and Apprenticeships
Internships and apprenticeships will give you hands-on and first-hand experience in the interior design industry. These are entry-level positions that will enable you to work as a design assistant who will learn about the day-to-day functions of the industry. You will be involved in designing, visualisation exercises, building presentations, and interacting with clients.
- Work on Key Projects While in College
If you choose to pursue an interior design degree, make sure you actively participate in project work and keep up with your regular assignments. Working on individual or group projects will help you build your practical skills as an interior designer. Additionally, you can assist friends and family members redesign their home or office space to gain hands-on experience in interior designing.
- Curate a Captivating Portfolio
Anyone interested in building a career in design has to build a compelling portfolio that captivates the attention of a potential employer. Your portfolio will be your passport into the interior design industry. You can add any photographs of completed projects, sketches, 2D floor plans, and any mood boards that you may have done as a part of your degree program, or on an independent basis.
Build Your Network and Gain Mentorship
- Seek Out Industry Events
There are many industry events that you can attend to rub shoulders with your peers and potential employers in the interior design industry. You can try to gain access to trade shows, seminars, workshops, webinars, brand launches, etc. to keep an eye on the latest trends and happenings within the industry.
- Try to Work with Top Brands
Top brands are always looking to collaborate with budding designers who have a fresh perspective on interior designing. Make sure to go all out when seeking employment and secure a position with a leading brand. Do not be shy, with the right educational qualifications, creativity, and raw passion, you will definitely find you path in the industry.
- Find a Mentor in the Industry
Mentorship always helps young professionals find their footing in the industry. When you attend industry events, try to interact with architects, designers, contractors, and other professionals at such events. You never know, building such a network may boost not just your understanding of the industry, but also your future prospects as an interior designer.
Pick Your Specialisation and Keep Up with the Industry Trends
- Carve a Niche for Yourself
Choose a specialisation that interests you and make it your life goal to know everything about it. The various specialisations available to you are residential spaces, commercial spaces, sustainable interior designing, kitchen and bath planning, etc. Ace your specialisation and you will have a dearth of opportunities open to you.
- Get Certified
Being a certified interior designer can be a huge boost to your career. There are many government-affiliated programs, and university-led degrees that can help you get certified. Once you have completed a degree program in interior design, you can pursue a certification from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to further advance your career.
- Keep Up with Industry Trends
Technological advancements play a crucial role in interior design. Keep yourself updated about latest happenings in the industry, study market trends, and look out for any new software tools that you can master. Subscribe to interior design magazines, blogs, social media pages, etc. to stay ahead of the competition.
Conclusion
Interior designing is a competitive field and mere creativity and passion are not going to cut it. You have to upgrade yourself and create your own space for a thriving career in the industry. There is scope for a wonderful career in this field with the right foundation.
Pursuing a degree program from one of the best interior design colleges in Nashik, Maharashtra can positively influence your career in this field. Make sure to pick the right college and a futuristic program to make it in the industry. Good luck!