Anyone can work in a creative career. You don’t have to start selling handmade crafts or become a master painter to be fulfilled. If you’re looking for a career that inspires you and allows you to use your creativity constructively, have you considered becoming an interior designer or decorator? Interior designers and decorators make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting items for lighting and color. Working in interior design not only allows you to influence trends and help clients find happiness in their home or office, but to also enjoy a challenging, competitive, creative career. Here’s some info you should know about the interior design field if you’re thinking about making a career switch!

• There’s a difference between being an interior designer and an interior decorator . At first glance, it may seem like the titles “decorator” and “designer” are just interchangeable words for the same job. However, there are a few key differences between the titles. An interior designer is generally required to hold a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in interior design, though architecture and art history are applicable to the field. Besides having a love of color, an interior designer will also be responsible for knowing the history of different types of buildings and architecture, as well as being up to date with building codes and permits that may be required. An interior decorator, on the other hand, will not need to go through as much education. A love of color, fabrics, and design, with a career diploma and hands on training are the basic requirements to get started in the field. It’s also much easier to start on your own, with a small business, as a decorator than it is a designer.
• It’s not about your artistic vision. It’s all about what the client wants. Interior design is a creative, artistic field where you are responsible for creating a beautiful space for your client. You aren’t designing the home or office you’d want; even if you have a clear artistic “vision,” you need to ultimately consider what your client finds appealing. When you start working with a new client, you’ll spend time together to get a feel of what your client likes and is looking for. You may offer a professional opinion on trends and color (that’s what they hired you for!), but in the end, interior design is about pleasing your client and creating something that fits them.
• You need to be a people person. To be a successful designer, you need the education, the skills, and the creativity to do well. But something that people tend to overlook when searching for a creative career is the fact that a lot of these careers require you to be personable. You aren’t just sketching something and sending it off for review; you will work closely with clients and businesses regularly. If you’re starting your own business or working as an independent designer or decorator, this is even more important. Design is one of the fields in which word of mouth makes a different. If you’re patient, friendly, knowledgeable, and able to be flexible and cool under pressure, you’ll do well in the field.

If you’ve always been interested in art, fashion, and decor, becoming an interior decorator or designer may be the right career for you! The next step is to consider what education you need to get started. Check out more information on earning your online Interior Decorator diploma and start creating your future.