The interior of the house greatly influences the mood of the owners. Therefore, many people turn to designers when renovating: they need professional advice to make their homes as cozy as possible. These specialists are responsible for the house’s atmosphere – it might be relaxing, or, on the contrary, working and productive.
So, the number of designers is growing rapidly, but the question of where to start still remains open. If you are planning to master this profession, read on. We have compiled a list of tips on what to pay attention to at the beginning of the journey.
Get a Theoretical Basis
Knowledge is power, and any designer needs to understand chromatics, composition, and perspective, as well as be able to use special programs and promote their brand. If you do not have time to study at a university, why not start online courses? Many of them are aimed at developing practical skills, so you will certainly spend more time on what matters most.
If you want to combine courses with your present studies, be sure to use some planning and prioritizing techniques, as the workload will be huge.
One of the best ways to get everything done on time is to outsource school tasks. Many students ask themselves: “Can someone write my research paper for cheap?” Fortunately, the answer is yes. You can easily find a talented specialist who will complete your assignment on time and address all your requirements.
To work as a freelancer, you most likely will not need a diploma, as customers usually pay attention to your experience and portfolio. But if you want to get a full-time job in a studio or office, you may need documents confirming your competencies.
Master the Programs and Tools
There are many free tutorials on working with design tools. Choose such materials carefully before watching: read the reviews about the authors and make sure they understand what they teach you.
As for the tools, here is a list of some handy ones.
- Sweet Home 3D is easy to use. It won’t help you with creating complex projects, but it will be enough if you want to see how the table will look next to the bed or find out whether the sofa will look great with a blue wall. Just a few minutes – and a sketch is ready.
- Homestyler offers you three functions: interior design from scratch, ready-made schemes, or finished projects from the gallery. At the same time, there are real pieces of furniture that are included in the catalogs of famous brands.
- Planoplan is suitable not only for thinking through the general design but also for more detailed moments. For example, here, you can track how the shadow will move during the day – this will help adjust the sunlight depending on the time of day. To understand all the functions, watch the video instructions.
Communicate With Professionals
Sharing experience is necessary for both a beginner and proficient designer. Join some communities on social networks, take part in discussions. Another way to meet someone skillful is to join webinars and online courses.
Come Up With a Portfolio
Nothing shows your professionalism better than a portfolio, so it should represent all your talents in the most profound way. Therefore, even if you are still studying, begin collecting all projects to get the first orders and find clients.
You can start small by assisting your friends and acquaintances with their designs and making sketches for some projects. This is also essential as you will understand which specialization is closer to you.
Get to Work
You can try looking for customers at freelance exchanges. Do not avoid projects that seem too simple or rather inexpensive. The key thing for you now is to gain experience in communicating with clients and understanding their wishes.
At the same time, start developing your personal brand on social media. For instance, Instagram offers great tools for promotion.
However, don’t concentrate on freelance exchanges only. Go to recruiting sites and offer your assistance to people you know. Your task is to expand the number of projects.
Be Prepared to Dedicate a Lot of Energy
Interior design is not only about pleasure, aesthetics, and inspiration. Real professionals deal with a great number of things: from textiles and furniture to plumbing and electricity.
For this, they must be good at materials, ergonomics, and various rules for renovation. Psychological skills also matter when finding a compromise with clients.
Be prepared to study technical documentation and communicate with suppliers and builders. Also, it is not enough to come up with unique solutions. You need to remain within the given budget and satisfy the client’s needs – thus, your own creative ambitions are not of utmost importance. First of all, you work for a customer.
Communicate a Lot
Designers must be open-minded, friendly, and able to negotiate constructively. This is the only way to find out all the clients’ wishes and preferences and take them into account.
Increase Your Competitiveness
Designers should follow some current trends, for example, sustainable design and the popularity of living close to nature, minimalism, combined spaces, and so on. It is also great to foresee future trends. Therefore, your education should not end as soon as you get a certificate or diploma.
Find New Opportunities in Virtual Design
Today, it’s easy to hire designers from anywhere in the world. Thanks to modern technology, you can find clients abroad, so don’t limit yourself to one country.
Look for Permanent Cooperation
In case you have to choose between a one-time expensive order and a regular one that is paid less, better give preference to the second one. Experienced designers recommend having at least one or two regular clients at the beginning so you will have a stable income thanks to them.
To Wrap It Up
At first glance, interior design looks like a dream job. There’s room for creativity, excellent revenue, and chances to be recognized while being your own boss. Still, after facing the first difficulties, beginners often lose enthusiasm and decide on giving up. But once you have a clear strategy on what to do, you can gradually build a successful career. And we hope that our guide inspires you.
