Interior Design Skills - What do you need?

A professional interior designer is qualified by education, experience, and imagination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces. The purpose of this pursuit is to improve the quality of life, increase productivity, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. But what makes such an individual successful?

Among a variety of design jobs, interior design is the only field that is subjected to government regulation. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 22 States and the District of Columbia currently register or license interior designers. In order to gain this registration and/or license, interior designers must pass the National Council for Interior Design qualification examination to practice their craft in these jurisdictions. To be eligible to take the exam, an applicant must have at least 6 years of combined education and experience in interior design, 2 years of which must be postsecondary education in design.

Of course, registration or licensure is not mandatory in all States so membership in a professional association is an indication of an interior designer’s qualifications and professional standing. These organizations can also help interior designers obtain new clients.

The best interior designers are capable of analyzing a client's needs, goals, safety and lifestyle requirements and integrating this information into a design that is both pleasing to the eye and functional. They will work with the client closely to develop preliminary design concepts that meet their aesthetic, functional, and economic needs while maintaining adherence to building codes and standards.

In essence, the best interior designers are part detective, part artist, and part psychologist and they use these skill sets to create spaces that fit a client’s tastes and needs with their budget in mind.