What kind of qualifications do you need to be an interior designer?

To be successful as an interior designer, it's important to possess the right combination of qualifications, experience, and artistic vision. Interior designers specialize in creating aesthetically pleasing, functional interior spaces for a variety of clients. Because their work is so specialized and their projects can vary widely from residential to commercial bakeries to medical facilities, there are several qualifications that may be needed to become an interior designer.

For starters, you should have a strong background in design principles and techniques. An interior designer must have an eye for color, texture, balance, scale and contrast in order to create attractive and harmonious spaces for their clients. A bachelor's degree in Interior Design or other design-related fields can provide the necessary foundation and knowledge base needed for the job. Along with academic preparation, basic drawing and computer aided design (CAD) software proficiency is also required by many employers in this field.

In addition to formal education, practical experience is critical to becoming a successful Interior Designer. Though apprenticeships are not always necessary, they do provide real-world experience that no classroom or self-instruction can fully replace or replicate. Internships in related fields such as architecture or furniture design may also provide additional experience that can be applied to interior designing projects. Having actual experience with painting surfaces, assembling furniture pieces and completing entire interior projects can also demonstrate applicant's dexterity in handling various aspects of the job.

Finally, a good sense of style and vision is essential when it comes to being an effective Interior Designer. Professionals who want to stay ahead must spend time studying current industry trends while developing their own signature style that sets them apart from the competition. Prospective clients will want to know they are working with someone who has both a competent grasp of current trends as well as knowledge on how to personalize projects according to individual preferences and needs.