So you’ve decided you want to take your love of design and spend your time building an interior design career. But before you take on any project as an interior designer, there is some basic information you should know before you begin your exciting, creative and personally rewarding career.

What You’ll Need to Learn

Becoming an interior designer is more than just using your artistic flair to decorate a space with the right furniture and accessories. Yes it’s true that interior designers are experts in choosing the appropriate color palettes, fabrics, furniture and other decorative elements of a space, but they are also well-versed in architectural elements, like lighting and other built-in units, and must know how to read blueprints, be able to do manual and CAD drafting, and be aware of a building’s safety and fire codes, along with federal, state and local design codes. Interior designers often work very closely with electricians, carpenters, and other contractors on the worksite. If you choose to become an interior designer, you must learn how to capture the preferred style of your client, enhance the space’s functionality, and make it visually pleasing, no matter what kind of space it is.  For instance, various projects may includes ones that are similar to a lobby of an office building in New York City, a large cottage-style house in the suburbs, or even one of the modern Bellevue apartments (URL: http://www.avaloncommunities.com/Pacific-NW/Avalon-Bellevue) in the growing city. Also, keep in mind that there are many creative and talented people attracted to this field so learn your specialties and work hard to develop your skills the best that you can.

Beginning an Education

Interior designers must have post secondary education. There are two- or three-year training programs that reward certificates or associate degrees in interior design which can help you become an assistant to an interior designer after graduation. You can also get a bachelors degree, which is recommended for most professionals, and go on to a formal design apprenticeship program. First, check with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and The Council for Interior Design Accreditation for accredited institutions that award degrees in interior design. After completing formal training, you’ll have to enroll in a one- to three-year apprenticeship program and get some hands-on experience before taking a licensing exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. Depending on your state, you’ll be a certified, registered or licensed interior designer. Make sure to pay attention and be aware of all state requirements regarding your education in interior design programs.

Get a Mentor

Starting a career at first can be overwhelming, especially when there is a lot of specific post secondary education involved like the field of interior design is. It may be very helpful to your future career and current well-being to find a knowledgeable mentor to guide you along the process. If you can, try to look for a professional who works on the kinds of spaces you are most interesting in, such as retail, hospitality, residential, or kitchens and baths, and so forth. Look into your school and some interior design associations, which may be able to link you with a participating professional. Are there any special design events or networking events in your area? Keep a lookout for those kinds of opportunities to meet people already in the field. You may make some very worth while connections.