Tell me about it
Interior designers use their creative skills to plan and organise internal spaces in buildings and other structures, producing designs for businesses, hotels, domestic properties, public buildings, ships and aircraft. They oversee projects from the outset through to completion and, in the process of renovation, may make structural alterations in addition to determining the eventual colour scheme, furniture and furnishings.

They would always work with the customer and/or architect on any project in order to come up with a design that suits the building, the client and their budget. The usual process begins with the interior designer looking at the site and coming up with initial sketches. They might also show samples of fabrics, fittings and furniture. They have to consider the purpose of the building and how it will be used, as well as the cost and the timescale.

Many interior designers also recommend people to carry out the work and supervise their progress. They also find the fittings, flooring, decorations, plants and so on.
While the work is being carried out, designers make frequent visits to the job to manage the work on site.

Entry level
There is a wide range of courses leading to qualifications in interior design at universities and colleges throughout the UK. In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, you would normally complete a one- or two-year foundation course in art and design before starting your degree course. Typical entry requirements are five GCSEs/S grades (A-C /1- 3), and sometimes an A level/H grade or equivalent. In Scotland, degree courses last four years, including a general first year in place of the art foundation year. More important than examination passes is a portfolio of your best artistic work, which you would submit as part of the admissions process.

You may decide to continue your studies with a postgraduate degree or diploma in a specialised area of interior design. Taking a course in an area like soft furnishings or upholstery could be useful.

Making the grade
You should make as many contacts as possible during your studies and work experience, as you may need to call on these to kick-start your career when you graduate.

It is quite common for interior designers to spend the first five to ten years of their career developing and building on existing skills and knowledge and gaining further experience. Even then, there is no definite or structured career path and the extent and speed of your career progression will depend on where you work (there are fewer opportunities for promotion in small consultancies and practices) and the initiative and skill you display.

Newly qualified designers tend to work alongside more experienced colleagues. Shadowing someone senior in the industry and assisting with, and being allocated, small-scale jobs can lead to more responsibility, depending on your performance, aptitude and dedication.

It is important to build up a portfolio as you progress through your career. This can help both in terms of promotion within a company or consultancy, and in attracting new clients if you are self-employed.

Personal qualities
You would need to be practical as well as creative, able to visualise interiors and to communicate your ideas to the client. You should have good drawing and computer-aided design skills, an understanding of building and safety regulations, and contacts with local builders, painters, decorators and suppliers of furnishing materials.

You must be able to calculate the cost of a design and to work to a budget, and you should have an eye for colour, texture and pattern.

Looking ahead
There are very few vacancies for interior designers and competition is very strong. You may work for a large organisation, such as a retail chain or office developer, but are more likely to work in an interior design consultancy, design team or architectural practice.

Another potential area of work is with a retail outlet, helping customers choose furnishings, paint, kitchen fittings and so on, and designing plans for them. Many designers work freelance but it can be extremely difficult to build new business.

Alternative suggestions
You might also consider training as an architect, artist/illustrator, display/exhibition designer, fashion designer, graphic designer, landscape architect, television/film set designer or textile designer

Take-home pay
Your earnings could vary widely but you might expect to start as a junior designer on around £16,000 to £20,000 a year. More experienced interior designers can earn £28,000 to £60,000. If you build a sought-after reputation, you could command much higher earnings.

Effects
Working hours can be quite irregular and you might have to work some evenings and weekends in order to finish a job. You would most likely work in a studio, often alongside architects, but you would also spend a great deal of time visiting clients and sites.

Sources of information
British Interior Design Association: www.bida.org
Chartered Society of Designers: www.csd.org.uk
Design Council: www.designcouncil.org.uk
Arts Council of England: www.artscouncil.org.uk
Arts Council of Northern Ireland: www.artscouncil-ni.org
Arts Council of Wales: www.artswales.org.uk
Scottish Arts Council: www.scottisharts.org.uk
Association of Illustrators: www.theaoi.com
Crafts Council: www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Design Trust: www.thedesigntrust.co.uk

CRCI: E