designers are embracing sustainable design and becoming certified in this specialty area in order to better serve their clients. Many residential designers have also become knowledgeable and certified in sustainable concepts as the importance of a healthy home environment is important to clients.
Helping to provide standards in this area is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) program from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This program has established both standards for sustainable designed buildings and a professional accreditation program. LEED®‐accredited designers might work for any type or size of interior design or architectural firm.
CAD Specialist
It is easy for the reader to understand how important computers are in completing nearly all tasks related to the work of interior designers. Today, most designers are in a sense CAD specialists as they use the computer for drawings, creating various documents, order entry, product search, and many other tasks required for a project regardless of type and scope.
Computer specialists still exist, however, as some individuals enjoy working in narrow task areas either for a firm or as independent contractors. This might include preparation of computer drafting, preparation of other documents, computer modeling, information technology (IT), and Web design, to mention a few common ones. As it might be expected, the Internet allows CAD work to be done almost anywhere in the world.
Professional Renderers
Many in design feel that rendering is becoming a lost art. However, clients and other designers continue to utilize renderings to express design concepts to clients and for clients to use to market properties. The professional renderer is very skilled in perspective and various rendering media, including the use of 2D and 3D CAD programs. She may be employed by a large interior design or architectural firm, or may be self‐employed as a freelance renderer.
Model Builders
Similar to the professional renderers are model builders. These individuals may also be professional renderers, or they may only produce architectural and interior models. Multidisciplinary firms might have model builders on staff, although there are many model building companies and freelance model builders. Model building requires that the individual have an excellent sense of scale, knowledge of the kinds of material that can be used to produce a scale model, a concern for detail, and patience to do the work required in model building.
Product Designers
Interior designers who have gained a strong reputation in the field and experience in the custom design of products may supplement or modify their practice to focus on product design. Designers can start their own company to produce their designs or license their designs to a manufacturer. Product designers working directly for a manufacturer may need to have an industrial design background.
Interior Design Management
A position in interior design management requires extensive experience in the field or experience in general management. Most design directors are former designers. It is important for the design director to have knowledge of interior design and good general business knowledge or experience related to the management of personnel, marketing, and general business principles.
Marketing Specialists
Large interior design firms frequently utilize a marketing specialist to prospect and market for new clients. This person may be an interior designer who has a special ability to market, or a business major with an emphasis in marketing. The marketing specialist is expected to locate new clients and to respond to inquiries from potential clients.
Teaching
A very satisfying way to “give back” to the profession is to join the faculty of an interior design program. The minimal educational requirement for a full‐time faculty position is a master's degree, in addition to some professional experience. Most programs, regardless of size and type of institution, expect that faculty members will continue their education beyond a master's degree, engage in academic research and publishing, and/or remain active in the design profession. Interior design programs also hire practitioners as adjunct or visiting instructors to teach part‐time.
Museum Work
Interior designers with experience or additional training in museum, restoration, or curatorial areas can work for one of the many historic site museums that exist. This can be very rewarding work for those individuals who have a keen interest in history and restoration. Most of these job opportunities require advanced degree work in such areas as art history, history, and archaeology.
Journalism
A journalism career is possible for interior designers who are very good writers or who have had training in journalism. The position might be with a large city newspaper or a trade or shelter magazine. Some designers who find their way into full‐time journalism positions might also serve as design critics.
Merchandising and Exhibit Design
Many of the skills that an interior designer learns can be applied to visual merchandising, display, and exhibit presentation. Department stores, retail specialty shops, mall management corporations, galleries, and trade show coordinators require merchandise displays. Department stores have in‐house visual merchandising departments to oversee their constantly changing merchandise displays. Others work for exhibit companies that specialize in the coordination and setup of trade show and convention displays.
As a final note, this section has provided just a glimpse at the wide variety of opportunities in the interior design industry. Many of these career options are possible with a degree major in interior design, whereas others require at least several years of experience in the field. Some also require additional education, training, or advanced degrees for eligibility. Several other specialties that might be of interest to readers are listed in Table 5‐5.
TABLE 5‐5. Additional career options related to the interior design profession
| Acoustic design | Real estate |
| Lighting design | Tenant improvement planning |
| Art consulting | Installation supervisor |
| Client representative/facilitator | Contract administrator |
| Feng shui consultant | Construction supervision |
| Color consultant | Wayfinding design |
| Expert witness | Feasibility studies |
| Codes consultant |
