Studies & Degrees in Interior Design
Interior Design Study Programs
Job positions for Interior Design:
Interior Decorator
They know the best styles that should grace your home and they know how to combine even the quirkiest of decorations in order to create a space that boasts not only of beauty, but substance as well. And they all do it without years of honing their craft at the most prestigious schools. They have an innate talent when it comes to the arts and sometimes, because they weren’t schooled and strictly made to follow some principles, they make the most unusual of combinations that just scream fun, exciting and uniquely beautiful. Yes, Interior Decorators seem to have it all without all the hassle of having to go through years of school which is not only time consuming, but, very hard on the pockets as well. But many people are still confused when it comes to Interior Designers and Decorators. First of all, an Interior Designer has a college degree with a major in Interior Design. A decorator doesn’t have one. So that means an Interior Decorator may not know a few things like drawing with scales and so on. They may not also be knowledgeable about some other technical stuff that an Interior Designer knows. But that doesn’t mean that an Interior Designer is any better than a Decorator. That’s like saying that a Fashion Designer knows more about fashion than a fashion consultant or stylist. If history is a good example, then it is important to note that the early Interior Designers were not required to go to school and more often than not, they just relied on their instincts when it came to beautifying a space.
So what exactly does an Interior Decorator do? They act as consultants who will help clients choose the right furnishings, carpets, paint, and so on. They will help the client with such things like the perfect accessories that will complement a room’s theme. Usually, Interior Decorators focus on homes or living spaces rather than business establishments and so on. But some Interior Decorators who have a little bit of technical know-how choose to decorate other kinds of spaces that Interior Designers are usually in charge of decorating.
It is safe to say that an Interior Decorator’s life is hard but fun. At the end of the day, one has the option to be his or her own boss. The job of a decorator is hard, yes, but very gratifying and an interesting one to boot. They get to meet and mingle with the most interesting people (since we have to admit, mostly the rich and the famous are the ones with the power to hire decorators) and the salary is not too shabby either. If they know how to play their cards right, they could earn the same as Interior Designers. Or if luck truly is on their side, they could earn even more. Many Interior Decorators claim that their job is fun, interesting and a far cry from the tedious and boring eight hour shift in the office. So it is no wonder that a lot of people want to be Interior Decorators.
Interior Designer
Everybody’s interested in them and some even want to be like them. They even got their own TV shows that just prove how popular they are. Who are they? They’re your friendly neighborhood Interior Designers. Maybe because of the surge in popularity, you got to admit, a peek in the life of an Interior Designer has crept to your mind. Although it may not become a possibility unless of course your best friend is an Interior Designer, you got to admit that it would be a fun or, at the very least, an interesting notion. Well, the truth is, you could say that Interior Designers are like the older, albeit wiser sisters of Fashion Designers – more serious, less prone to changing their personal sense of style depending on the season, but, still equally fun. But despite their portrayal in television as having the glamorous life, filled with meetings with equally fabulous people and with the power to make blah spaces into luxurious abodes, an Interior Designer’s life is not that easy. In fact, it is quite hard. So that’s why even if a lot of people want to be Interior Designers, they don’t make it in the business. But even if that is true, if you yourself know that you have what it takes, you’re willing to invest a few years to study the ins and outs of designing, then, nothing should hold you back.
Basically, an Interior Designer is the one in charge of designing an area which may not always be found inside. They make sure that they incorporate the personal taste of the client, with a little mix of their own style and of course, they have to make sure that the space is still functional and no aspect of the design will sacrifice the functionality of the area. After they’re satisfied with a general idea, they will then put it into paper or in some cases, in their laptops. Some Interior Designers choose to stick with drawing the area manually, since it could prove to be faster and easier than using specially designed software like AutoCAD. But knowing those kinds of things are not the only requirements of an Interior Designer. In order to be a full-fledged – and not to mention successful – Interior Designer, one must have good communication skills and know how to budget as well. They must have a trusted group of people who they will turn to when the need for electrical repairs, fixtures or furniture arises. So in short, they need not only be artistic, but also know how to lead, organize and be in the know when it comes to technical stuff.
But before they got there, it was no walk in the park. One had to undergo at least six years of combined education and experience. But the result is of course very gratifying. When you’re a successful Interior Designer, you could be earning more than 70,000 American Dollars. So if you truly want to be a designer, you could be doing something that is easy as pie for you for the rest of your life and earn a good amount of money. Now that’s hitting two birds with one stone.