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Why did you choose interior design as a career?
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Julie Ann’s Answer
Dear Stephanie,
I hope this response reaches you in time for your project.
My initial interest in interior design sparked from a soap opera character I watched in the 1980s who was an interior designer. My mother had a knack for beautifying our modest home through seasonal decorations, painting murals, and regular furniture rearrangements. This environment nurtured my interest, and I found myself rearranging furniture when no one was home.
In the 80s, I developed a fascination for magazine articles about home improvements, way before HGTV existed. I even enjoyed setting up furniture for my Barbie dolls more than playing with the dolls themselves.
However, due to life circumstances, I had to take a long hiatus from my career in interior design. I never imagined I would return to it, but six years ago, I decided to rekindle my passion and become my own boss.
In today's world, I have the flexibility to work from home, set my own schedule (though you might need to work when contractors are available if overseeing the trades is part of your services), and be selective with my clients as I'm not solely dependent on this income.
I've chosen this career again because it brings me joy and a sense of purpose. So far, I've chosen to work exclusively with residential home projects as they bring me the most satisfaction. However, it's worth noting that commercial projects often have larger budgets and are more likely to accept your initial design concept.
Best of luck!
Explore Your Interests: Do you love design? Spend time browsing design magazines, websites like Pinterest, and attending home design shows. Are you detail-oriented? Good design considers everything from furniture placement to lighting and color palettes. Do you enjoy problem-solving? Interior designers must find creative solutions within a client's budget and space limitations.
Get Hands-on Experience: Take design classes in high school or online. Volunteer to help with decorating projects for friends or family. Consider a summer internship with an interior design firm. This will give you a real-world glimpse into the profession.
Develop Key Skills: Focus on drawing and sketching. This will help you visualize your design ideas. Learn basic drafting software. Programs like AutoCAD or Revit are industry standards. Develop strong communication skills. You need to clearly explain your ideas to clients and collaborate effectively.
Research the Industry: Talk to working interior designers. Get their insights into the profession's rewards and challenges. Research job opportunities and salary ranges. Consider different career paths within interior design, such as residential, commercial, or hospitality.
Self-Assess Your Personality: Interior designers often work long hours and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Are you organized and efficient? The job requires excellent client service skills. Are you patient, diplomatic, and good at handling criticism? Being self-employed is an option for some designers. Do you possess strong entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen?
I hope this response reaches you in time for your project.
My initial interest in interior design sparked from a soap opera character I watched in the 1980s who was an interior designer. My mother had a knack for beautifying our modest home through seasonal decorations, painting murals, and regular furniture rearrangements. This environment nurtured my interest, and I found myself rearranging furniture when no one was home.
In the 80s, I developed a fascination for magazine articles about home improvements, way before HGTV existed. I even enjoyed setting up furniture for my Barbie dolls more than playing with the dolls themselves.
However, due to life circumstances, I had to take a long hiatus from my career in interior design. I never imagined I would return to it, but six years ago, I decided to rekindle my passion and become my own boss.
In today's world, I have the flexibility to work from home, set my own schedule (though you might need to work when contractors are available if overseeing the trades is part of your services), and be selective with my clients as I'm not solely dependent on this income.
I've chosen this career again because it brings me joy and a sense of purpose. So far, I've chosen to work exclusively with residential home projects as they bring me the most satisfaction. However, it's worth noting that commercial projects often have larger budgets and are more likely to accept your initial design concept.
Best of luck!
Julie Ann recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Mauricio’s Answer
Dear Stephanie from Texas,
Let's be real, who doesn't love a good before-and-after transformation? It's like watching those home makeover shows, but you're the one making the magic happen.
Every project is like a puzzle, and finding the perfect pieces to fit together is the ultimate thrill. So yeah, interior design just felt like the perfect blend of passion, creativity, and a sprinkle of practicality – it's like living in a world where HGTV meets real life, and I'm totally here for it!
May the force be with you!
Let's be real, who doesn't love a good before-and-after transformation? It's like watching those home makeover shows, but you're the one making the magic happen.
Every project is like a puzzle, and finding the perfect pieces to fit together is the ultimate thrill. So yeah, interior design just felt like the perfect blend of passion, creativity, and a sprinkle of practicality – it's like living in a world where HGTV meets real life, and I'm totally here for it!
May the force be with you!
Updated
Linda’s Answer
Stephanie, well the truth I was born an interior designer sounds strange I know but, I have always known how to creat beautiful well balanced, dimensional , spaces that fit seamlessly into the world around them. I do not know how I know how to do what I do. My head is overflowing with creative thoughts and energy and it drives me. I can look at a space and instantly know how to solve any existing and persistent issues. It is my gift from God. I believe we all are blessed with a genius unique to each individual and is part of our learning process to utilize for good purpose only. I know you have a genius in you and I hope you will discover it in you lifetime. It could be something you have never yet encounter and or may never unless you are open to all possibilities. You could be the inventory of something so random and no one but your genius realized the potential and change the world. This is why it is so important to be curious and never stop seeking knowledge. I bet this isn't the answer you were expecting but this is my truth. I love design and it has been a good friend and made possible a happy life spent.
Updated
Lucia’s Answer
Hello Stephanie, how are you?
I'm Lucía and I'm from Montevideo, Uruguay.
This month I graduated from my Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design. I chose this career because I watched a lot of decoration programs (at that time I didn't know much about the world of interior design). Now, 4 years later, I will continue to choose interior design because it is a tool to improve our lives. With a simple color palette, rearranging furniture or some new objects we can feel different energies in the same place, we create a new routine in our lives that improves our mental health, physical health and the quality of our days. There are so many options we have with interior design to do better things that if we don't choose them, it would be a shame.
I hope this response is helpful to you, and I remain at your service for any further questions you may have.
Have a nice day,
Lucia Novo.
I'm Lucía and I'm from Montevideo, Uruguay.
This month I graduated from my Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design. I chose this career because I watched a lot of decoration programs (at that time I didn't know much about the world of interior design). Now, 4 years later, I will continue to choose interior design because it is a tool to improve our lives. With a simple color palette, rearranging furniture or some new objects we can feel different energies in the same place, we create a new routine in our lives that improves our mental health, physical health and the quality of our days. There are so many options we have with interior design to do better things that if we don't choose them, it would be a shame.
I hope this response is helpful to you, and I remain at your service for any further questions you may have.
Have a nice day,
Lucia Novo.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Stephanie