Interior designers can work in many settings or work environments and do many different kinds of jobs. Numerous opportunities exist beyond the stereotypical work in “a residential store” or a “commercial design office.” This section begins with the most typical starting locations for entry‐level interior designers. Positions that require experience or perhaps additional education are discussed at the end.
These descriptions are very general and actual experiences and settings will vary. Size of the firm, geographic location, design specialty, and business philosophy of ownership all affect the work environment and experience.
Independent Design Firm
An independent design firm may be a one‐person design studio or a large firm that has dozens of employees. It is very common for interior designers to start their businesses working alone with no full‐time employees; these would be considered independent interior design firms.
A key to the concept of defining the firm as “independent” is that typically it has no affiliation with a particular manufacturer's product. Some, however, have a limited amount of showroom space more for the purpose of display than direct sales off the floor.
In a small firm, the owner always takes the lead in developing relationships with clients and marketing in general. Yet, it is also common for designers in some small firms to be expected to obtain new clients, and manage projects with minimum assistance from the owner. The owner of the smaller firm also does a lot of project work in addition to managing the firm.
The larger firms will have various management and staff levels. Client contact is usually the responsibility of the owner, the senior designers, or possibly a marketing manager. Senior designers are primarily responsible for managing projects, and they often supervise a team of designers and support personnel during the course of the project. In some firms, there are also individuals who have many specialized job functions, such as specification writers and renderers, who can free the project designers from such activities.
The firm may specialize in some type of interior or design a combination of types of spaces. The projects obtained by independent design firms frequently require that the designer travel extensively, as the firm's work comes from all over the country, if not the world. This is especially true for the very specialized firm. Design employees are paid a salary and possibly a commission or bonus for product sales.
Residential Furniture Stores
Entry‐level designers who begin their careers in a residential retail furniture store generally do so as an assistant to one of the senior designers. Assistants learn the business and gain experience with clients as they help senior designers with product specifications, drafting, sample boards, and specifications, along with many other activities. Direct client interaction occurs as the assistant gains experience and confidence.
The experienced designer works with the client in either the store or the client's home. Projects might involve designing a single space or designing and specifying items for an entire home. The designer is encouraged to sell what the store carries in inventory, but may be allowed to sell other items as well. Most often, the design service is free or offered at nominal cost, because the expense of the designer's service is covered through the sale of goods at retail.
Designers are often required to meet sales quotas and most often are paid on a commission basis rather than a salary. Entry‐level individuals are more often paid a salary, though they might receive a small commission. Depending on the store's management philosophy, it might take an entry‐level person from two to four years to be promoted out of the assistant's position.
Office Furnishings Dealer
An office furnishings dealer is, in a sense, a retail showroom for commercial furniture products. Office furnishings dealers primarily design office complexes, though some also design other kinds of commercial interiors. They will have showroom displays and an inventory to back up what is displayed. Many office furnishings dealers have certain exclusive products that they expect their staff designers to specify most often.
An office furnishings dealer rarely sells products at suggested retail. More often, products are sold at a discount from suggested retail or at a markup on cost. Outside salespeople are largely responsible for selling furniture products, while the design staff provides planning services. Design services are billed to clients as would many other types of design studios.
Office furnishings dealerships can provide excellent entry‐level opportunities for those interested in commercial interior design. Designers are expected to have strong computer skills for the preparation of drawings and specifications. It often takes at least two years to advance to a position of project responsibility. The pay is usually a salary for the designers, who might also be eligible for commission on certain items.
Becoming a member of the sales staff at an office furnishings dealership is another option for interior designers. Salespeople's primary responsibility is to sell furniture and other products. They are usually not required to be designers, although many were at one time, and are generally not required to do any interior design planning. Sales staff must generate new business and are paid a commission on the furniture products they sell.
Retail Specialty Store
A specialty store is a retail store selling a particular type of product other than furniture to the end user. Design services, if offered, are complimentary. Specialty stores are excellent opportunities for the entry‐level designer to gain sales experience and product knowledge. Depending on the product, the staff will receive training related to the products. However, some specialty stores, such as art galleries or antique stores, may require staff to have specialized knowledge prior to hiring. Designers are commonly paid a small salary plus a commission.
Architectural Office
Many architectural offices have interior design divisions, providing yet another setting for the interior designer. These designers work primarily on projects in partnership with the architects as part of a design team. The work might involve residential or commercial projects, or both, depending on the nature of the architectural practice.
Interior design employees in this setting will be required to have very good space‐planning and technical skills, and design creativity. They will be expected to have skill with the production of construction drawings and documents and competent computer skills. Compensation is salary based.
Department Store
A work environment often overlooked by student job‐seekers are department stores. Department stores often have interior design staff who are tasked to work with walk‐in clients. A designer might sell one item or a range of products. Often, however, the designer is limited to selling what the department store carries.
The size and complexity of the design studio will depend on the size of the store. Working for a department store is very similar to working for a retail furniture store. Department stores may also have a studio that focuses on commercial projects, in addition to residential. Some department stores offer a limited range of design services through the drapery or floorings departments. There may also be an opportunity to become a furniture sales associate whose primary responsibility is selling rather than design. Generally, design services are offered free to the client. The designer is generally paid only a commission on sales.
