Interior Design

Interior designers plan the space and furnish the interiors of private homes, public buildings, and commercial or institutional establishments, such as offices, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, and theaters. They work with clients and architects to find individual and architectural requirements and preferences. They help choose carpeting, wall coverings, draperies, furniture, lighting fixtures, and other furnishings.

They submit drawings and illustrations of space layouts, lighting/electrical plans, furniture plans, color schemes, material requirements, and cost estimates to the client for approval and may purchase the furnishings for the client and arrange with the subcontractors to install them in the home or building.

Career Opportunities

• Interior Designer
• Interior Decorator
• Fabric Designer
• Sales Representative
• Showroom Designer
• Space Planner
• Management Research
• Furniture Designer
• Exhibition Designer
• Environmental Planner
• Design Assistant
• Drafter
• Product Design
• Historic Preservation
• Kitchen & Bath Designer
• Lighting Designer
• Set Designer
• Facilities Planner

Related Skills

• Strong technical writing ability
  
• Ability to generate ideas and evaluate feasibility of implementation
  
• Aptitude for accuracy and attention to details
  
• Computer skills
  
• Knowledge of construction
  
• Creative/innovative/artistic
  
• Draft/draw
  
• Spatial visualization

Hiring Institutions
Airlines/Auto Manufacturers Architectural/Engineering Firms Corporations Home Furnishing Store Interior Design Firms Kitchen and Bath Design Firms Furnishing Manufacturers & Distributors	Government Agencies Libraries/Museums Medical Facilities Office Furniture Suppliers Religious Facilities Freelance/Self-employed

Career Paths of Recent Graduates

Related Websites

OU Department of Interior Design
American Society of Interior Designers
Interior Design Society
International Interior Design Society Association
Careers in Interior Design
National Home Furnishings Association
Industrial Designers Society of America