Do I or don’t I?

That’s the bad news – take a long, hard, serious look at your real chances of building a career in design before you commit yourself.

Having said all that, there will always be people who are willing to take the risk, who are committed to their personal goal of being a designer, and people whose talent will enable them to shine in any circumstances.

If you’re still keen to carve yourself out a career in design, you need to decide which type of designer you want to be.

Interior Architecture/Design

Interior designers plan and detail commercial and residential building interiors for effective use with particular emphasis on space creation, space planning and factors that affect our responses to living and working environments.

Interior design is also referred to as interior architecture because interior designers are trained to consider the modification of the interior structure of the building rather than just refinishing and furnishing existing spaces.

Good design can enable us to live and work more efficiently, comfortably, profitably, securely and pleasurably in a more aesthetically fulfilling and functional environment.

Interior designers plan space allocation, traffic flow, building services, furniture, fixtures, furnishings and surface finishes. They consider the purpose, efficiency, comfort, safety and aesthetic of interior spaces to arrive at an optimum design.

They custom design or specify furniture, lighting, walls, partitions, flooring, colour, fabrics and graphics to produce an environment tailored to a purpose.

An interior designer often works as part of a team that may include architects, builders, project managers, engineering consultants, shop fitters, cabinet makers, furniture suppliers and materials suppliers. They may be required to organise the modification of building structures, the purchasing of materials and furnishings and the contracting and supervision of the tradespeople required to implement a project.

Many users of interior design services only require these skills occasionally. It is common for interior designers to be employed in consulting businesses such as interior design consultancies and architectural practices.

Tertiary interior architecture/design education has an emphasis on commercial and industrial interiors such as offices, public buildings, hospitals, department stores and shops. However the design of domestic interiors is also covered and is a common source of work for many interior designers in self employment.

ANZSCO (2006) occupation code 232511.

What you’ll study

• Design Studio

• Design History & Theory

• Communication Skills

• Environment & Space Planning

• Construction

• Materials & Finishes

• Lighting

• Acoustics

• Ergonomics

• Presentation Drawing

• Working Drawings

• Computer Aided Drafting & Design

• Business Management

Where you’ll work

• Interior Design Consultancies

• Architects Offices

• Builders

• Government Building & Construction Departments

Other areas you’ll find work

• Shop Fitters

• Shopping Centre Corporations

• Self Employment

• Building Industry Suppliers

• Furniture Design

• Exhibition Design

• Film, TV & Stage Set Design

Interior Decoration

Interior decorators plan and prepare building interiors for effective use with particular emphasis on furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation.

Interior decorators often work directly with the person who will occupy the space rather than working with other building or business professionals and must develop the skills to identify and accommodate another individual’s taste.

They frequently have an extensive knowledge of historic furnishing styles and their relationship to architectural periods, and employ a detailed understanding of the application and effect of colour and pattern.

Interior decorators plan, arrange and style the space, finishes and furnishings. They consider the purpose, efficiency, comfort and aesthetic of interior spaces to arrive at an optimum design.

They specify furniture, lighting, flooring, colour and fabrics to produce an environment tailored to a purpose.

An interior decorator may work as part of a team that may include the owner/client, an architect, builders, shop fitters, cabinet makers, furniture suppliers and materials suppliers. They may be required to organise the purchasing of materials and furnishings and the contracting and supervision of the tradespeople required to implement a project.

Many customers of interior decoration services are buying these services for their personal home and business environments and only require these skills occasionally. So it is common for interior decorators to be employed in retail and consulting businesses such as interior decoration businesses that mix both design and the retail supply of furnishings and interior design consultancies.

Tertiary interior decoration training has an emphasis on domestic interiors and small commercial interiors such as shops and private offices. However training will also provide grounding in commercial and industrial interiors such as corporate offices and public buildings.

ANZSCO (2006) occupation code 399912