Education can be one of the most important interior designer qualifications because many firms will not hire workers without a degree. In some areas, a license is one of the professional qualifications required by law. To become eligible for certification, a designer must usually have the right combination of education and work experience. Those who work in this industry should also be creative, knowledgeable about decorating trends, and able to stick to a budget.
Many professionals begin working after earning a bachelor's degree in interior design. Part of the requirement of earning this degree could be completing an apprenticeship program. This could last anywhere from six to 12 months and may even be conducted in conjunction with some college courses. One of these interior designer qualifications typically takes around four years to earn in most cases.
Licensing is one of the interior designer qualifications that could be mandatory for some workers to obtain before starting their own business. Even if certification is not required, it can nonetheless be a good idea because it may allow designers to join a number of professional organizations. To become licensed in this trade, an individual must usually have a bachelor's degree in interior design along with two to four years of work experience under the supervision of a licensed interior designer. A test is sometimes required before being certified, and continuing education credits are often mandatory in order to keep the license current.
In addition to education and experience, several other interior designer qualifications are also needed. It can be very important for an interior designer to be able to mix and match colors, fabrics, and home accessories to create a custom look. This is sometimes accomplished with input from the homeowner, but other times the decorator may develop a decorating plan from scratch. As a result, it can be very important to keep up with the latest styles in home furnishings. A decorator may want to keep a portfolio of his or her work so that potential clients can have a better idea of what they can expect from this professional.
Knowing how to maintain a budget can be especially helpful to designers who operate their own business. Doing so can help entrepreneurs estimate the cost of labor and materials, therefore giving a more precise estimate to the client. This skill could make the difference between landing the job and losing the sale to a competitor.
