If you’ve been dreaming of a career in interior design, now is the time to make your dreams into a reality. It takes more than just an eye for design; there are plenty of steps to take in order to have a successful career in the field. From finding the right interior design education to the best design management practices, there are plenty of avenues to explore. In this blog post, we’ll break down the steps you need to take to begin your journey into becoming an interior designer or business owner.
Step 1 - Develop your Brand Identity
In today's market, there is no shortage of work for interior designers. However, there is a lot of competition in the field of design and with social media getting noticed can be tricky.
Develop your Brand Marketing Playbook. Work with a marketing specialist to develop your brand identity or if you are short on funds (as you probably are as an up-and-comer) use CANVA to develop a Brand Kit. Create a logo, brand colours, font and style that will set you apart.
When developing this Marketing Playbook, develop your target market, who do you want to design for? What types of projects do you want to invest in? Where is the opportunity in your market?
Step 2 - Market Partners
Get to know the people you will be working alongside. I know builders can be intimidating and "rough around the edges", I am married to one! Builders are going to be your best friends and the trade partners are the hands that bring your design to life. Value them, appreciate them and work together.
Remember, marketing is all about building relationships and creating trust. By networking, investing in the design community, and constantly improving your skills, you can establish yourself as a respected and sought-after interior designer.
Step 3 - Invest in the Design Community
One of the most important steps to take when pursuing a career in interior design is to invest in the design community. This means seeking out opportunities to connect with other professionals in the industry and furthering your education and skills through courses and workshops.
Attend networking events, conferences, and trade shows. These events provide an opportunity to meet other designers, builders, and vendors, as well as to learn about new products and trends in the industry. Look for events that are specific to your niche or area of interest within interior design.
Finally, even if you have your Masters in Interior Design or Architecture continue to be a student, follow the best designers on Instagram, find Podcasts like the Interior Collective and continue to develop your skill.
Step 4 - Get Organized
Once you've decided to pursue a career in interior design, it's important to get organized. This means setting yourself up for success by establishing a clear plan and schedule and creating systems for managing your workload and workflow.
In this industry communication and organization are key in facilitating a successful project, so invest in tools like Teamwork.com. By getting organized, you can set yourself up for success and ensure that you're able to manage your workload effectively, stay on top of your deadlines, and deliver outstanding results to your clients. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced professional, taking the time to get organized is essential for building a successful career in interior design.
Step 5 - Launch your own business
These last few steps are vitally important to turn your passion for design into a profitable career.
- determine the legal structure of your business, and meet with a lawyer to set up an iron-tight contract
- obtain any necessary permits and licenses if required.
- establish your payment structure (more info coming in next blog post)
- get set up with a good CPA so that when tax time comes around you are set up
Even though these things sound like a drag to a creative individual, DO IT!
Final Step - Find Clients
You got everything checked off this list, now it is time to get creating and start making some money!
Need your first client, do you have any friends or family who need a project done? Get them to hire you for free and then leave you a 5-star Google Review!
It may take some time, but finding the right clients is the sure way to grow your business, and remember no matter how attractive or exciting may seem to be, make sure the people behind it are the right partners. Design and building projects typically last 1-2 years! Find the right people, because a project will never leave you a review!
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