Interior designer
Interior designers plan the internal layout and decoration of public, commercial and residential buildings and spaces.
- Potential salary
- £23,000 starter to £45,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 42 variable. Working pattern: evenings / weekends attending events or appointments.
- Career area
- Creative and design
- Where they might work
- You could work in an office, from home, in a creative studio or at a client's business.
- A typical task
- work with clients to understand their ideas and what they want
- Subjects that may help
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- Typical route
- You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like: interior design; art and design; interior architecture; spatial design.
- Interest area used here
- Art, design and performance
What you might do
- work with clients to understand their ideas and what they want
- advise on use of space, colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
- prepare detailed 2D and 3D plans using design software
- provide estimates for materials, work and timescales for different design options
- find suppliers of fittings, furniture, fabrics, and wall and floor coverings
- draw up instructions for contractors, or act as a project manager from start to finish
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- knowledge of building and construction
More skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like: interior design; art and design; interior architecture; spatial design.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Fine Art
Related, but not enough on its own. Fine art does not qualify you as an interior designer.
- Interior architecture and design
Common route. A usual degree route. Practice experience still matters.
- Product Design
Alternative route. Product and interior design share a design process. They are different practices.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could complete a college course, which may help you afterwards with applications for design assistant jobs or university courses. Examples include: interior design; art and design; T Level in Craft and Design.
- You could apply to do a Furniture Design Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which may lead into an interior design assistant role.
- You could start as an interior design assistant with a company. With further training and qualifications you could become an interior designer.
Career progression
- With experience, you might move into related work, for example: theatre set design; visual merchandising; exhibition design; lighting design; furniture design; ergonomics.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship