Learning how to get into interior design is not hard and there are many ways you can get into the interior design industry. Getting into interior design is not hard, it all depends on how you plan your path. Lets taking a look at this step by step.
How to Get into Interior Design: Step 1 – Investment Consideration
First, you should start asking yourselves a couple of important questions inorder to determine the best method to get into interior design.
To start, consider the following question:
- what is your financial situation?
- how much money are you willing to invest into your interior design education?
- how much time do you have and willing to invest into your interior design education? ie: how much time do you have per week to spend on studying and working on interior design assignments? or how many months or years are you willing to invest for the entire interior design training?
- do you have any other life’s obligations such as family? kids? or a full time job?
- are you willing to spend 1 year full time to get your interior design education?
- are you willing to spend 4-5 years full time to get your interior design education?
- or are you willing to spend 3-6 months part time or full time for your interior design education?
- what is your plan after your have completed your interior design education? ie: to work for a company in the interior design industry or related industry or you want to start your own design consulting business instead etc?
So take a moment to review the above listed question and once you have given them some considerations carefully, it will be much easier for you to choose the proper path to get into the interior design industry.
Getting into interior design is not hard. It all depends on how you plan your path
How to Get into Interior Design: Step 2: Education and Training
Now you have some idea as to how you wish to invest your time and money in getting into the interior design industry. The next step is to ensure you have the right training to become an Interior Designer.
Fortunately, there is no strict requirements to become an Interior Designer. Unlike other professions such as Doctors, Lawyers or Teachers etc, to get into interior design and become an Interior Designer is much more easier and accessible. Anyone who is willing to invest some time for the interior design training can become an Interior Designer within a very short time.
There are various training methods to become an Interior Designer and get into interior design which include studying interior design at a University or College, at a Technical or Vocational School, at a Special Interest School, Online Interior Design Schools and lastly, by self-study or self-learning. The chose of interior design school will depend on Step 1 above. If you can spare 2-5 years full time and have $8,000-$40,000 USD or more to invest into your education, then University or College (normally require 4-5 years full time) and Technical Schools (normally require 2-3 years) may be the options.
However, if other life’s obligation is in the way or you have limited time and finance, then you may need to seek other options such as attending Special Interest Schools or Online Schools. Lastly, if you have very limited finance and absolutely very little time to invest, then self-learning may be the option. Therefore, carefully understanding and considering Step 1 is important to finalize your decision for Step 2.
The most effective interior design training is to combine the various type of training methods from attending in-person classes to online learning and self-learning
As you are progressing your interior design training, you must ensure that your are preparing your portfolio as well. This portfolio should consist of some of your best work in school. The purpose of the portfolio is to present your work to future employers or clients when requested.
How to Get into Interior Design: Step 3: Work Experiences
While you are getting your interior design training, you want to get as much real world work interior design related experiences as you can. Therefore, you should be doing 2 things and they are:
- start freelancing once you are ready
- work in the interior design industry part time or during time off from school
Freelancing:
When you having some interior design training, you should be able to seek and find freelancing either via the internet or in-person. Freelancing need not to be anything major as long as it is related to interior design. Freelancing work may include: drafting work, provide concept design services, model making, color rendering, sketches etc.
One of the biggest benefit in freelancing is that students get the chance to meet and deal with clients and people who are in the industry. Freelancing also provide you a chance to start learning how to run and operate an interior design consulting practice.
Any work done while freelancing can and should be included into your portfolio as well.
Working in the Industry:
Actually working in the interior design industry for a company can provide you invaluable real world experiences and learning. This work experience will provide knowledge into how companies operate an interior design business and how real interior design projects are being run and managed.
Ensure your interior design education consist of hands-on practical real world training
