Interior Designer or Interior Decorator?
People often romanticize the job of an interior designer with the misleading notion that the job consists solely of picking out colors and fabrics for a room. These duties certainly are a bit nearer to interior decorating. But an interior designer has a range of responsibilities including both those of an interior decorator as well as more technical jobs 好師傅好唔好. They include light management, space planning, color coordination, providing estimates that fit a budget, and subcontracting the fabrication and installation of flooring, light fixtures, draperies, paint and wall coverings, furniture, and so on.
An increasing amount of designers even take part in the architectural part of building of a house, so designers need to be able to read blueprints and possess a knowledge of building codes. It is desirable for an interior designer to have experience with CAD software and home design software in order to prepare blueprints or presentations for clients.

Training and Entry Requirements
Up until recent years there existed no accredited education programs for budding interior designers in the United States. Now you can find a number of institutions with interior design programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. These programs typically run from two to five years and usually cause an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Coursework for these programs may include CAD, furniture design, color and fabrics, space planning, ergonomics, architectural courses, and even psychology.
Most interior designers prefer to enter an apprenticeship after a proper education. During this time recent graduates work beneath the supervision of a skilled designer. This provides designers a chance to build a portfolio and learn the nooks and crannies of the business before going solo.
Interior designers also can decide to become certified by passing an exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). One should have both a proper education and work experience to even sit for the NCIDQ exam. The NCIDQ has defined six various routes that are available on the site. Note that this certificate is a requirement for professional registration in 26 of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces that need licensing. You have to also possess an NCIDQ certificate should you desire to become a person in the American Society of Interior Designers, International Interior Design Association, and other similar organizations.
Work Environment and Conditions
Interior designers usually act as an integral part of a more substantial design team or on a freelance basis, even though some find work in architectural firms or home-furnishing stores. Clients vary from individuals attempting to renovate their homes to corporations planning to open a fresh business location.
Building relationships with clients is an absolute must for just about any designer regardless of where he or she works since the key goal of an interior designer is to recognize the wants and needs of a consumer and integrate them into the aesthetics and function of the interior. This will cause focusing on weekends or extended hours in order to fit a client’s schedule.
Interior designers tend traveling from place to place quite a bit since much of their time is spent on-site discussing plans with clients and overseeing contracted work. But interior designers actually spend the majority of their amount of time in the office.
Note that designers often work under stress given that they constantly juggle deadlines and budgets.
Earnings
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wages for interior designers were $44,950 by May 2008. The center 50 percent earned between The lowest 10 percent earned $27,230, and the best 10 percent earned significantly more than $82,750.
Give Interior Design a Try
Designing interiors is a fulfilling job that allows one to state their creativity, but it is definitely not for everyone. Those wishing to become interior designers are encouraged to test themselves at interior design prior to making the decision to enroll at a style institute. You can certainly do this by designing the inner of your home or getting acquainted with home design software. If you find that interior design is for you, then embrace yourself for an advisable career and jump in head first!