Can I be an Interior Designer and still pursue music?

Haylie,

Live is about doing many different things. I do believe you'll have to decide which of these you do full-time, because each has a tendency to bleed over into non-traditional work hours. Once you decide which you do for a living, and which you do to fulfill yourself, then you can work out a balance between them and the rest of your life too.

Remember what John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Don't be surprised if you choose one and then the other chooses you. ;)

Go with your heart and you can't go wrong.

Try to use your college years to take courses in both majors. It's easy enough to do. I nearly minored in both Music and Psychology by taking classes that overlapped them both.

Talk to people in those fields and see what their daily lives are like. That could help you see which fits more with your dreams and aspirations.

Either way, your an artist and there is no limit to what you can do.

Hi Haylie,

The quick answer? Absolutely! I’ve taken a similar path. I knew I wanted to be a designer but I loved music and fine art. I started a band in college and kept music as the passionate hobby where if the right stars aligned, it might become my full time career, but it didn’t pan out that way. Instead I kept music as a something that kept me happy, balanced, and creatively fulfilled when my job as a designer felt like, well, a job!

For me, I felt like I could make a good living through my design career and therefore support the other creative side of me. After 13 years, I am now a design director at a major company and have had the opportunity to be in a metal band, jazz band, back-up singer in a tribute band, and did a little session work as well. Some people think it’s overwhelming, I say it’s what keeps me sane.

Good luck and keep the fires burning under your passions bright!

-Stacey