Starting a new career in interior design can be exciting! If you’re ready to make this move but aren’t sure where to start, fear not! We’ve put together a list of resources you can use to get started on the road to a creative and rewarding career in interior design.
1. Utilize the internet
It’s not called the World Wide Web for nothing. There’s a plethora of free information out there just waiting to be absorbed. You can watch YouTube videos or read design articles as a preliminary step for chasing this goal. Follow your favorite designers on Instagram as well to get inspiration and even tips, as many of them detail their process on their social media accounts. Knowing your influences can help you succeed in this field.
Even when you become a fully-fledged interior designer, it’s important to keep up with current and predicted interior design trends. By regularly checking in on social media, design websites, and other online resources, you can make sure that you’re able to provide the most up-to-date, trendy designs for your clients.
Ready to get started? Here are some great articles to help you start your interior design career:
- 10 Top Design Trends for 2024
- 10 Ways to Embrace Barbiecore and Add Barbie-Inspired Decor to Your Home
- Summer 2023 Home Decor Trends
- Top Bathroom Design Trends: The Ultimate Guide
- Do Interior Designers Need to Be Certified?
- How to Become an Interior Designer (Guide)
2. Subscribe to industry publications
A great way to learn more and keep up with industry news is by subscribing to design publications. The internet is easy and helpful, but nothing beats building a collection of tangible resources you can pull out on a whim or display as decor.
Having publications handy can be helpful once you’re officially up and running as an interior designer as well. Your clients will appreciate having something to flip through for ideas and you’ll have more resources to pull from when designing their space.
Examples of publications you can line your shelves or adorn your coffee table with include:
3. Listen to podcasts and attend webinars
There’s a podcast for everything these days, and interior design is no different. Find a podcast that catches your interest and listen to it whenever you’re able (on your morning commute, while you cook, as you fall asleep, etc.). Podcasts are often transparent and casual, so they’re a great way to get insight into the life of real interior designers and what could lie in store for you once you’re in the game. Plus, they’re free!
If you’re looking for something more informational and professional, seek out webinars conducted by current designers or design instructors to get the info you’re looking for with visuals for those who learn better that way.
Some design podcasts you can check out are:
4. Gain knowledge through a training program
Interior design may seem easy at first glance, but like most things, there’s more to it than what first meets the eye. You’ll need to know design trends and likely some surface level architecture. This is where a training program can be helpful.
Enrolling in a training program can give you the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as an interior designer. It also will look great on your resume when applying to design firms, and you’ll feel more confident in your abilities with the right education under your belt.
Read more: How to Become an Interior Designer
5. Consider an internship
An internship is a fantastic way to gain real life experience as well as network. Making professional connections can be crucial when starting a new career. You’ll need references and a good foundation, and working as an intern can get you both.
While not a requirement to work in this field, interning can provide you with invaluable experience and knowledge that could take years to build up on your own without an internship.
If an internship doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, that’s okay! Instead, try seeking out a mentor in the field. This could be someone you work with, or someone you connect with on a professional networking site like LinkedIn. Having a mentor can help you build confidence as a designer and learn more industry tips and tricks from someone who has been there.
Read more: Do You Need an Interior Design Internship?
6. Get familiar with design software
Interior designers use different software to aide them in their work. It’s important to both learn this software and stay up to date with it. You can take courses on the different software available to designers to get ahead of the game.
Software to check out includes:
Read more: The Best Software for Interior Designers to Learn
7. Get your certification
Credentials can get you far. Having a certification on your resume could set you apart from others going for the same design job. The Designer Society of America (DSA)’s Residential Interior Design Qualification Certification (RIDQC) is just the certification that can do this! The New York Institute of Art and Design (NYIAD)’s Interior Design program is certified by the DSA and therefore will help you gain an education that will benefit you.
Read more: What’s Included in an Interior Design Certificate Course?
Become an interior designer
Are you ready to equip yourself with some or all of these resources? Make your way down the yellow brick design road by enrolling in an interior design program! Once you have training and certification under your belt, you’ll see the options open up and be ready to start your interior design career!
