Become a Design Consultant
Interior design consultants plan and design interior spaces for commercial buildings such as offices, shopping centers, hospitals and hotels as well as private residences. Some designers work in architectural and interior design firms, while others work as a self-employed designer consulting with clients. The interior designer must meet educational and experience requirements to qualify for a career as a consultant.
Steps
- Pursue a degree program in interior design. Interior designers must have a minimum of 2 years post secondary education to qualify for a state license and obtain certification.
- Bachelor's and Master's degrees are available in interior design.
- Courses in a degree program in interior design include architecture, CAD, furniture design, perspective, ergonomics and spatial planning.
- Interior designers planning a career as a self-employed consultant should include business courses such as marketing, management and accounting to prepare for a career as a business owner.
- Enter an apprenticeship in interior design to gain experience. Interior designers must complete work experience to qualify for licensure or certification. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification requires a total of 6 years experience and education to prepare for the certification examination.
- An apprenticeship program allows interior designers to work under the supervision of a licensed interior designer and gain experience in the field.
- Experience in the field allows the interior designer to build a portfolio of acceptable projects.
- Apply for state licensure. Some states require licensure for interior designers to work in the state legally. The applicant for a license must meet education and experience requirements to qualify for a licensing examination.
- The National Council for Interior Design Qualification administers the licensing examination. The content of the examination includes building systems, codes, design application, project coordination, construction standards, contract administration and professional practice.
- The examination includes multiple-choice questions and a practical portion, which requires the interior designer to demonstrate knowledge in the field by producing design solutions to a series of issues such as lighting design, space planning and washroom design.
- States that require licensure for interior designers also require continuing education courses to maintain the state license.
- Develop a business and marketing plan. A business and marketing plan can provide a blueprint for starting an interior design consultancy.
- A business plan is necessary to obtain funding for a new consultant business.
- Interior designers can prepare business and marketing plans before entering the field as a self-employed consultant.
- Network with other interior designers. Professional organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers can provide consultants with a network of professionals in the field.
- Networking with other interior designers allows consultants to work together on 1 large project, which provides a source of business for a consultancy business.
- Professional organizations can offer interior designers with workshops and seminars in the field.
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