Interior Designer Jobs – A Suitable Profession for the Creatively Inclined

Interior design has grown to be a lucrative profession as consumers increasingly desire stylish customization, including in their household. The profession is not as superficial as it appears to be and in fact requires both analytical and creative skills.

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Interior Designer Jobs - General Background

Interior designers may have a degree in interior architecture, general architecture, and environmental psychology, apart from the conventional interior design course. Interior designer jobs are usually contractual or project-based. Although there are many well-known design firms, twenty-six percent of interior designers are self-employed. The styles employed in interior designer jobs differ by theme, which often take after different historical periods. Oriental interior decorations may utilize feng shui, an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics. Other designs may be influenced by Islamic or Indian Mughal culture. Western styles include Louis XVI, Victorian and English Georgian periods. Some clients may prefer mid-century modern themes, or minimalist concepts.

Best Interior Designers - Famous Names

Notable interior decorators in the industry’s earlier years are Elsie de Wolfe, an American actress, socialite and author in the 18th century, Dorothy Draper, who was known for encouraging American women to be their own decorator, and Pierre Francois Leonard Fontaine, a French architect who gained popularity for his interior decorations in the turn of the 19th century. In the 21st century, some of the best interior designers have served not only residential clients but huge corporations as well. Karim Rashid, recipient of the International Interior Design Star Award in 2002, has worked for different companies including Giorgio Armani, Prada and the Internet company Yahoo!. Also in the best interior designers list are Marike Andeweg, who specializes in bathrooms and is known for her simple yet elegant designs, and Australian Stephen Roberts, who co-founded architecture and design firm D4 Design.

Interior Designer Salary - Range

Interior designer salary depends on his or her type of employment, years of experience and licensure, such as the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications. Designers usually charge by the hour including consultation, and take a percentage of total costs of design elements such as furniture, lighting and artwork. Interior decorators get paid less than interior designers because designers ideally possess more skills. Salaries range from $22,000 to $40,000 as a starting offer, and may change depending on the specialization. Established interior designers earn more than six-figure salaries annually. A survey in 2006 showed that the highest ten percent of the interior designer population earned over $78,000, while the lowest ten percent took in less than $24,000.