Interior designer

Interior designers plan and organise the design of commercial and domestic interiors. Examples of this include offices, hotels, shops, aircraft and people's homes.

The role of an interior designer

Interior designers plan and organise the design and decoration of the inside of both new and existing buildings. This can include private houses and buildings such as offices, hotels, restaurants and shops.

Your work as an interior designer would typically involve:

• meeting with clients to discuss their requirements and ideas (the brief)
• developing a design that suits the needs of the client, the available budget and the type of building
• preparing initial sketches for the approval of the client
• advising on colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
• working out costs and preparing estimates
• developing initial sketches into detailed drawings, usually on a computer
• sourcing fittings, furniture, fabrics and wall and floor coverings.

You may also recommend people to carry out the work on site, and supervise their progress.

Working in interior design

The early design process usually includes a number of different tasks, such as:

• Initial ideas and concepts are developed for a client's brief
• The designer establishes what the client wants to achieve with the budget available
• The designer also considers the needs of people who will use the building

In the commercial context, for example retail, it would be necessary for the designer to understand the client’s brand. They would need to be able to interpret this into the 3D space.

Once the brief has been scoped, designers have to create a design to fit the brief. This would usually involve hand drawing and computer-aided design to show how the spaces inside the building will be organised, constructed and finished

Usually interior designers will work alongside architects and other design professionals. They must also ensure that designs comply with regulations including building regulations, planning and advertisement restrictions.

Proposals need approval from bodies such as the landlord of a commercial building, as well as from the client. Once designs have been accepted, the designer produces detailed drawings for the contractors to use.

Interior design involves an understanding of architecture.

In most cases the client and the designer will decide it is necessary to tender the construction work.

When this happens, the full package of design information (drawings and specification) will be sent out to a number of contractors to obtain prices. A tender analysis will be carried out and the preferred contractor appointed.

The designer will require a qualified project manager for the client to ensure the project is constructed and finished to suit the proposals. The project manager will keep control of design issues which may arise on site. The role can vary from coordinating the design on site, to fully managing the construction team.

This project managemant role can be taken by the designer, but it is increasingly becoming a specialist area in its own right.

How to become an interior designer

You will need a high level of design skill. In practice, this usually means completing an art- or design-based BTEC HND or degree. Several universities offer interior design courses. Other useful subjects include fine art, 3-D design and architecture. Entry requirements for courses vary, so you should check with colleges and universities.

You will need a portfolio of examples of your design work to show to potential employers and clients.

As a starting point, you could develop practical skills with qualifications such as City & Guilds Level 1, 2 and 3 Awards, Certificates or Diplomas in creative techniques in design for interiors at Level 1, 2 or 3 or BTEC National Certificate and Diploma courses in art and design.

You can also attend short courses in various aspects of interior design, such as upholstery and decorating techniques, at many colleges. The ABC Level 3 Award in CAD Skills for Interior Design is available at some colleges.

Competition is strong, and the key to finding work is to get as much experience, and make as many contacts, as possible. Work experience will give you the chance to develop your portfolio, make contacts and impress potential employers.

However, competition for work experience is also strong, so you will need to be determined and proactive. You can find contact details for design companies and agencies from the members' lists of design organisations such as the Chartered Society of Designers, or the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID).

Attending trade fairs and joining professional organisations are also useful ways of making contacts and keeping up to date with industry developments.