Getting started in a career in interior design

Interior design can be a fulfilling and financially rewarding career — according to British graduate advice service Prospects, senior UK designers earn over £45,000 per annum.

But since you’re probably unlikely to bump into as many designers as say, administrative workers, finding fast advice on launching a career can be challenging.

If you’re creative and have confidence in your artistic vision, you’re already partway there — but here are some practical tips on getting started in a career in interior design.

Start at home

If you want to get some low-risk hands-on experience of interior design, there’s no place like home.

Wandering through the home of a person with an eye for design, you’ll usually be drawn to unusual features — from cool personalised door mats to hand-painted curtains.

Starting on a small scale with commissions from friends and family is a fantastic way to build a great reputation by word of mouth — you might only want to charge a nominal fee for work initially, but you’ll soon be ale to increase your rates.

And you’ll also be building up a valuable portfolio that’ll stand you in good stead if you want to train formally — if you can demonstrate your diligence in taking your first steps towards a career, you might bag a place on a highly-rated course.

Design degree

Many students commence their design education with a foundation degree in interior design — which can be topped up with an extra year to constitute a full Bachelor of Arts qualification.

This type of entry-level course will give you a firm footing in everything from the historical context of design to ambient creative lighting and sustainable furnishings.

The course opens diverse career paths like working as a designer within an architectural practice, specialising in window displays or entering design journalism.

And an accredited course from a reliable institution can help you launch a freelance career or secure a steady role within an established agency.

Showcase skills

The first place you might be able to showcase your skills on a larger scale might be your degree show.

Media sorts and industry professionals, like Helen Coulston scour these shows each year, scouting for the latest terrific textile designs and futuristic concept furniture.

So if you make the right impression, your contribution could become a springboard to success.

But throughout your degree, you should also be publicising your design skills with a regularly updated blog or even selling pieces on a fully functional website with ecommerce capabilities.

And if you can pay for a pitch at a local crafts market, you might even build up a professional clientele before you’re fully qualified.

If you’re going to be a successful creative, you’ve got to have a surplus of self-belief in every aspect of your career.

But if you have a passion for making buildings fit for the future, these tips should help you get started in a career in interior design.

Do you work in interior design? Share your career tips in the comments section.

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