Interior Design Careers

Interior Design Careers Helen Hawyer Georgia CTAE Resource Network 2010

Graphic Organizer • http://www.schools-of-interior-design.com/Interior-Design-vs.-Interior-Decorating.htm • http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/tchart_eng.pdf

Decorator vs. Designer • A designer “creates” the space in which you will be living, whereas a decorator adds the elements and principles of design to decorate your space • For example: • A decorator may suggest what type of couches and coffee tables to use and where to put them; a designer will develop a floor plan that is best for what type of furniture you want to use • A decorator may pick out your lighting fixtures; a designer will suggest where to put the light switches and outlets

Decorator vs. Designer cont. • A designer needs to obtain a degree in interior design from an accredited college or university, as well as an internship. They will then obtain their license by taking the NCIDQ exam. • Many designers are employed by architects • A decorator does not need any of the above, but simply to start a business and gain clients

Professional Organizations • Even though decorators do not have to be licensed, many chose to belong to organizations so they can stay abreast of the latest trends and information • Many designers have mandatory membership to one or more organizations

National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) • The purpose of NCIDQ is to protect the health, life safety and welfare of the public by establishing standards of competence in the practice of interior design. • Interior Designers pass the regularly updated NCIDQ Examination, considered as a universal standard by which to measure their competency. • NCIDQ website: www.ncidq.org

American Society of Interior Designers • ASID is a community of people—designers, industry representatives, educators and students—committed to interior design. • The Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. • More than 38,000 members and 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. • The Society's membership also includes more than 12,000 students of interior design who participate via student chapters at colleges, universities and design schools • Website: www.asid.org

International Interior Design Association (IIDA) • The IIDA works to enhance quality of life through excellence in interior design and to advance interior design through knowledge, value and community. • 12,000 members practicing in nine specialty Forums and more than 30 chapters around the world. • IIDA's web site: www.iida.org

Interior Design Educators Council, Inc.(IDEC) • IDEC is dedicated to the advancement of education and research in interior design. • Fosters exchange of information, improvement of educational standards, and development of the body of knowledge relative to the quality of life and human performance in the interior environment. • Its members are interior design educators, practitioners, researchers, scholars, and administrators in institutions of higher education. • IDEC Website: www.idec.org

Interior Design Society • One of the country's largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry. • Offers members community, education and business support. • More than 4,000 members. • Website: http://www.interiordesignsociety.org/

Sustainability and Environmental Issues • Otherwise known as “Green Design” or “Cradle to Cradle Design” • Low-flow bath fixtures, weather stripping, energy efficient appliances • Ecological and environmental concerns are addressed during construction and decorating • Using recycled materials such as carpet made from soda bottles and furniture made from recycled cardboard • A&E Video: Natural Environments

Careers in Interior Design Information paraphrased from Residential Housing and Interiors • Architect • Designs structures • Architectural Drafter • Draws the details of working drawings and makes tracings from the original drawings prepared by the architect or designer • Architectural Illustrator • Prepares presentation drawings, sketches, and illustrations for advertising and for client presentations • Model Maker • Builds scale models of objects such as planned communities, individual buildings, room layouts or pieces of furniture. • Landscape Designer • Plans the arrangement and composition of landscape elements on a site

Careers in Interior Design, Cont. Information paraphrased from Residential Housing and Interiors • Fairly New Careers • Commercial Designer • Hotels, hospitals, department stores, offices, etc • Set Designer • Designs the sets for theatres, movies, or TV shows • Transportation Designer • Yachts, cruise ships, RV’s, tour busses • Historical Design • Historical homes and furniture • Auto Design • Car interiors and upholstery

PROJECT • Create a “Want Ad” for a career in the interior design field • BE CREATIVE! • Include: • A description of the career • An estimated salary • Illustrations that would describe the career • Explain why this is a popular career to choose

Interior Design Careers