Commercial Interior Design Careers Begin with the Right School
As Ty Pennington and Nate Berkus overhaul the homes of unsuspecting television viewers, another breed of design professional works wonders on everyday public spaces. Commercial interior design has become a competitive, high profile profession where designers are turning once-bland offices, shops, and plazas into design masterpieces.
Successful interior designers need raw talent, but getting a degree at an interior design school provides the experience and education necessary to compete in this profession. Interior design schools offer two-year degrees, which will qualify you for a designers’ assistant job upon graduation. A four-year commercial interior design degree allows graduates to enter an interior design apprenticeship program, which offers valuable experience and networking opportunities.
Interior Design Schools Build Important Skills
You must have a working knowledge of computer-assisted design (CAD) programs and good presentation skills to convince potential clients hire you or your firm. Interior design schools teach you other necessary skills through classes such as:
- psychology,
- spatial planning,
- architecture,
- furniture design, and
- perspective.
Upon graduation, most commercial interior design students apprentice for one to three years in preparation for a national licensing exam or to qualify for membership in a professional group such as the American Society of Interior Designers.
Modern Sensibilities Create Demand for Commercial Interior Designers
Commercial interior design is a thriving field that is growing into new areas including "green," or environmentally conscious, design. In 2004, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average salary for all interior designers was $40,670, although commercial interior designers often earn more. As more Americans expect their offices, shops, and restaurants to feature modern, uplifting design, commercial interior designers can expect to remain in high demand.
