Do you have the talent to be an interior designer? Or an architect or landscape designer?
At an early stage, you will notice distinctive differences in your skill set compared to others. Among my work team, I have two artists - one who has done set design, large murals and decorative painting, another who also does decorative painting but is more technical in her approach. She can replicate a photo into a larger painting with a very high rate of accuracy. Another big difference is artistic ability coupled with CADD expertise. I do hand drawings and learned CADD but came to the conclusion that a CADD proficient assistant would be a perfect compliment for me. Where are your talents and time best spent?
Your clients respond to a tidy presentation in spite of the napkin drawings we all do and see. If you are good at both, great! A self-contained package. If you are not, partner with someone. There are so many team options with architectural firms, construction businesses, commercial firms, sales, production, staging.
Build a good working relationship with those who have an aesthetic bent that is in sync with your own. As a student you can work with anyone you find interesting as either a paid employee or volunteer until you have insight into what interests you or highlights your skill set.
These contacts grow into your working team of architects, contractors, real estate agents you recommend to clients. By trial and error, working on actual projects you develop a sense of compatibility and aesthetic direction.
You also know if you have talent as others see your own home and ask you to come and help them. Renovate on a tight budget and show your finished project on social media. Followers may lead to revenue. You can easily start helping others as they recognize your skills. At some point, you need to get paid. Simply say “I charge $/hour.” You’re worth what you charge!
The dimensional drawings of the remodeling options make them much easier to sell. Everyone sees what it will look like! We all know how much time this really takes, but again, team up with someone if you don’t have time or aptitude for this skill.
This is an example of what you get into in the real world! You make a beautiful drawing and it will sell! But the window or door is a different size in the drawing than the existing. A licensed contractor needs to be the one to change the door or window. In some cases, the window company may install it, but they may not do everything that needs to be done to get the space back to “perfect.” You are also involved in doors and windows because the framing is a color which has to coordinate inside and out. It may require drywall repair, texture and paint matching. Even after 25 years of research on doors and windows, I have to figure it out on each project as the technology changes continuously.
Quickly we are into technical details as CADD drawings have to be adjusted to actual measurements. We are often selecting tile for baths and kitchens with decorative elements. I look at all of the showrooms and pull together compatible options that look good together and work with the existing materials. Some years you may not be able to find beige if gray is the in color. So you have to work harder. It is much easier if you are doing the entire house and can just run with your ideas. Many of the renovation shows go to one company and go with whatever they have that will work. This works for budget projects or flips but if you read Wall Street Journal Mansion Section on Fridays you will see the diversity in million dollar real estate! Commercial installations often have baths with detail and banding in public spaces. These tile details require drawings and on-site supervision or they may not look as you intended.
You begin to get the idea of how complicated coordinating an entire project becomes! It is challenging and your design ability is used as much as your managerial skills and diplomacy. But every day is different and challenging! You can choose the area you prefer and become an authority in that area. I have key people I consult in every product I use.
All of the contractors working with you make a difference in the outcome of your project. Notice the couples in HGTV - numerous husband and wife combos! One oversees design and the other the construction, but they interact with each other continually for the best outcome. The more you know and have the proven results to become known as an established designer, the more control you will have over the project.
The client may lack any sense of vision so you have to do a lot more drawing and explaining. It is their money and they want to have control and to love every individual choice. I don't take any bad suggestions though! I personally go to the showrooms and select fabrics and decorative tiles and other elements to get the project started. Look at all of these choices together, then choose floor coverings and paint. You cannot do this as well online. I have a stash of favorite fabrics that have been found during these searches that often begin another project.
Sometimes I have them with me and show them as a launch point for someone else. If a client chooses something that I am uncomfortable with I search for a better choice immediately and return and say “I found this while I was out. Do you like it better?” and they almost always have! Your reputation rests on the final look of the space! Does it have the Wow factor? You should also have the big picture in mind and others may not. While you have the vision, remember that every outlet and detail needs to support it.
However, you don't want them to say “It was never really me.” (Even if they don't know what that is!) If they show you pictures, you need to select the parts that work for their situation.
Many designers have “a look” and that makes it easier for the client as they choose you because they like your design. It also limits the companies you deal with as you choose the ones that fit with your look. However, many clients want you to develop their look and each of those will be unique.
I have never won a design award if I wasn't in control of the project! So you have to be savvy enough to have the vision and execute with someone else's money.
In order to avoid stress, I developed better project management so I wasn't operating down to the wire. I also made more money.
Are you an equal with your clients or a professional? There is a pay difference. I started extensive reading years ago so I could carry on a conversation beyond interior design. I’m from Indiana; I can do basketball conversations all day! Your availability makes a difference. Can you fly on a private plane to see another project the client is developing? Helping with one space often leads to another. Spec’ing someone’s bathroom in New York from Arizona will lead to going there but you can choose where and when you’re available.
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