Interior designers create living, working and entertainment areas that are not only functional but aesthetically pleasing as well.  They plan and supervise the design and space planning of interiors and furnishings in residential, commercial or industrial establishments such as offices, restaurants, clubs and theaters. 

After conferring with clients and/or architects as to needs and purposes, they render design ideas in forms of paste-ups, drawings or illustrations.  Designers also estimate material needs and costs and present designs to clients for approval.

As in the other art majors, creativity and a sense of beauty, space, color and design are essential basic talents.  Logical reasoning, verbal and written communication skills, administrative ability, technical knowledge, attention to detail, research abilities and conceptual and analytical thinking are additional areas that need to be developed.  The ability to work with many different people, as well as the ability to coordinate and synthesize information and ideas are also important aptitudes. 

Personal qualities necessary for a successful career in interior design may include organization, determination, competitiveness, stamina, patience, confidence and self-discipline.  Graduates of this field may use their degrees as preparation for master’s level work in architecture.

OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Interior designer:  residential, commercial  
Advisor for department store buyers
Client consultant
Designer of stage sets for film and television
Fabric designer 
Furniture designer
Kitchen designer 
Merchandise displayer
Project manager 
Showcase trimmer
Window dresser 
Writer for magazines featuring interior designs
*Designing may refer to complete layout or renovation/redesign.

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Economic expansion, growing homeowner wealth, and an increasing interest in interior design will increase demand for designers by 19 percent for the period 2006-2016. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos293.htm)

POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Architectural firms 
Construction firms 
Department stores
Film and television studios 
Furniture manufacturers 
Furniture retailers
Hospitals Hotel/motel industry Interior design firms
Magazine publishers 
Self-employment 
Software development firms
Transportation industry