Interior design is very much a niche profession and in comparison to other professions there are very few around. The reason for this is that it takes a particular kind of person with a unique style to be truly successful.

Most successful interior designers have a style and flair of their own, differentiating them from the crowd and allowing them to forge a career that can be both lucrative and rewarding. However, every single interior designer who is making the most of their careers has some basic skills that, without them, they simply couldn\’t hope to succeed.

Here we will discuss what those skills are and how you can go about acquiring them. After that, it\’s your own talent and sense of style that will ultimately determine how successful you are in this field.

Education

All good interior designers have been through education and completed courses of one kind or another. There is no set group of qualifications to aim for, the idea is to be able to demonstrate a level of competency in related fields in order to instil confidence in your potential clients and customers.

Of course, the majority of qualifications that will prove useful to you are art and design based. A degree in basic art will be of some use, but more specific qualifications are likely to stand you in better stead. These can include a whole array of design courses, both theory and practical. Courses on design theory are good for honing your skills, but you\’re likely to find that the more practical courses will provide more help.

The ability to use certain kinds of software will mean you\’ve got the skills needed to actually carry out the work. Think about learning how to use graphic packages like Adobe Photoshop and 3D CAD software, like kitchen design software, bathroom design software and bedroom design software. Not only will these potentially put you ahead of your rivals, but you\’ll be able to do your work much faster and much better.

There are also specific interior design courses offered by the likes of the Institute of Interior Design in the UK.

Experience

No matter how many qualifications you have they will only get you so far. There is no substitute for experience so it is vital that you grab every opportunity that comes your way to gain experience. Apply to as many interior design companies as you can asking for work experience while you\’re carrying out your education. No matter how small a role you play in the design of a room, house or office space, it is experience that will not only look good on your CV, but also help you hone your skills.

As interior design is very much a closed industry, who you know is going to prove more useful than what you know, at least to begin with. So meet as many people as you can, always listen and learn and offer to help in any way you can. Your reputation is going to open or close doors for you so ensure you always appear eager and willing, to both work and learn.

Portfolio

Finally, make sure you keep a record of all the work you do, especially at the start of your career. Take pictures, keep design concepts and bring them all together into a portfolio that you\’d be happy seeing if you were looking for an interior designer. In many cases, it is this that will determine whether you\’re hired over someone else.

Finally, be confident in your designs and ideas. No client is ever going to be impressed by someone who isn\’t entirely sure of themselves. Follow these simple guidelines and you\’ll be well on your way to forging a career as an interior designer.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Nexus Design Software, developers of interior design software such as kitchen design software and bathroom design software.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Nexus Design Software (http://www.nexusdesignsoftware.com), developers of interior design software, including and kitchen design software.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Nexus Design Software, developers of interior design software such as kitchen design software and bathroom design software.

Category: Advice
Keywords: kitchen design software, interior design, bathroom design software