Interior design is a vast career with many different avenues a designer can explore. So clearly, “what does an interior designer do?” might be a common question for a lot of design aspirants. This article takes a detailed look at questions like what is interior design all about, the skills needed to be an interior designer and how to become an interior designer in India.

The spaces around us have a significant impact on our thoughts, actions and internal feelings. Our surroundings have the power to lead our everyday actions and influence decision-making. Therefore, studying how our surroundings, especially places like our homes and offices, impact us is at the core of an interior designer’s work.

Understanding The Role: An Interior Designer’s Career Overview

Before delving into the role of an interior designer and how to get a career in interior design, let us first understand what interior design means. Interior design, in its essence, is work that runs on the pedals of understanding people and their needs. It is a human-first approach to introduce a place that is inclusive, safe, and accessible.

An interior designer masters creating aesthetically pleasing and functional interiors. Interior designers are professionals who understand their clients’ preferences and create spaces that showcase their personalities and unique style.

They do so by studying their client’s wants and exemplifying their values to people who visit their space. Therefore, being an interior designer requires you to have an empathetic and creative mind. With the union of creative vision and technical knowledge, interior designers play a vital role in moulding the places we spend our time in and enhancing our quality of life.

Duties and Responsibilities of The Role

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Are you wondering what are the duties and responsibilities of an interior designer? Well, they may vary on the project interior designers work on and the range of their involvement.

One of the primary things interior designers do as soon as they hop on a project is to take note of their clients’ needs, likes and dislikes. Following that, they assess the space and the potential it has and match it with their client’s goals and lifestyles.

Based on their analysis of the place and the client’s vision, they develop designs that include colour schemes, floor plans, aesthetic looks, and furnishings. They either create computer-designed images or sketches to help clients visualise the design. Once the client approves the design, an interior designer works with various professionals like constructors, architects and other individuals to install the selected design.

Interior designers need to stay on top of the industry trends as they are responsible for shopping and source all the materials and furnishings for the client. Furthermore, they need to be financially savvy and work within the client’s budget. They should manage costs effectively and find the correct alternatives whenever needed.

Difference Between An Interior Designer and Other Closely Related Professions

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Does the profession of an architect, interior decorator and interior all sound the same to you? Well, there is a huge difference between interior designer and architect and an interior designer and an interior decorator.

Architects focus more on the technical side of interior design. This involves styling interior places that are not just aesthetically attractive but also safe and functional. Interior architects take up projects that involve solid structural changes, like modifying ceilings, walls, and floors. Architects must also take note of accessibility needs, building codes and other technical factors when designing interior spaces.

Interior designers, on the other hand, focus more on the aesthetic facets of interior design. Their tasks majorly include selecting colours, furniture, and styling the place with accessories. Interior designers do not usually make structural changes. Instead, they create desired and aesthetically pleasing changes within the existing structure.

On the flip side, the difference between interior designer and interior decorator is a little difficult to tell. Interior decorators and interior designers are not interchangeable designations. Interior decorators work to provide finishing touches and décor, as well as handle furniture arrangements and decor. Interior designers typically have certifications to provide more extensive changes in your place structurally. They also have better experience in project management.

Check out this link to learn more about the difference between an interior designer and a decorator.

How to Become an Interior Designer?

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If reading about the interior design field has intrigued you, you must be wondering how to go about this field. Well, that starts with identifying the skills required to become an interior designer. To be an interior designer, you need to be good at project management, understand the needs of your clients, have strong interpersonal skills, cultivate curiosity and have an appreciation for aesthetics.

If you have those skills, it might be time for you to test your hand at interior design! To get into this creative field, you must get a degree in interior design from an accredited university. But with so many options, which interior design course is best suited for you? JD School of Design provides a BSc. in Interior Design and Decoration that provides real-world projects and hands-on training.

With a successful degree and a strong portfolio, it then all depends on your people skills to get in touch with various clients and get projects. If you are asking how much does interior designer make, the answer may surprise you. A successful interior designer earns up to INR 6 Lakh per annum with an average of INR 3 lakh.

Wrapping Up

Interior design is an enriching career opportunity for creative individuals who have an eye for rebuilding and arranging spaces. But the road to becoming an accredited interior designer is more complicated than just knowing what does an interior designer do. Just like other professions, getting a degree in Interior Design from a reputable institute like JD School of Design can bolster your credibility.

Furthermore, showcasing your best work and networking effectively builds credibility and provides aspiring interior designers with a heads-up on accelerating their careers.