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Interview with Anna T, ASID, NCIDQ

Professional Interior Designer
Years in Business: 7 years

It's a travel intensive, creativity demanding, time consuming job, but for Anna T, it's all in a day's work. Anna, an interior designer, loves what she does. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design several years ago. Today, she is one of five designers at a major design firm in Atlanta. She boasts an impressive clientele, and her work includes many private residences and homes in the Southern states as well as in Canada.

Anna says there is no "typical day" in the life of an interior designer. Really, it all depends on what phases her projects are in. "I usually get in around 9:30 a.m. and follow up on all aspects of my projects. Usually I'm juggling several clients at a time." On some days, she goes to the Atlanta Decorative Art Center where she gets to personally shop for furniture, fabrics and artwork for her clients. She also has a design assistant that she can assign tasks to.

Advice for Aspiring Interior Designers

Aspiring interior designers should "definitely find internships," Anna advises. "You've got to be aggressive," she says. While pursuing her bachelor's in interior design, she did two internships. One was with an architectural firm in Atlanta, and one was with an interior designer in Tallahassee. As an intern, she gained exposure to the real world of interior design. "You learn so much outside of school," she explains. As an interior design intern, Anna was able to do lots of hands-on work, picking finishes and helping with residential shopping. It's important also, she believes, "to choose internships in areas of interior design that interest you... whether that's residential, commercial or architectural oriented interior design." She also suggests joining professional organizations and attending conferences as a student. "I know the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has a student chapter, and that can be very beneficial."

Working with Clients

Anna just finished an exciting project on a stunning resort island near Toronto. "We were there with the architects from the very beginning of construction. We helped with the architectural details of the house and selected the furniture, fabrics, accessories and artwork."

"My work does require quite a bit of travel," she admits, "I have many clients in West Palm Beach, Orlando, North Carolina and Canada." On an average day, she spends 50 percent of her time outside of the office. She finds herself traveling outside of Atlanta at least a couple times every few months.

Not only do interior designers have to travel, but they've got to dress the part. On most days, designers must dress well—"as businesslike as possible." It's important to look presentable. A career in interior design demands a people-oriented, people-friendly personality. "You've got to put yourself out there." You've got to work well with your clients, and your clients have to like and respect you.

Starting Out in the Interior Design Business

A beginning interior designer shouldn't expect to have the most glamorous job, Anna warns. "It's a process and you have to work your way up." Anna's firm hires fresh graduates as design assistants. The NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Exam, for which designers are eligible after six years of college-level education and work experience as an interior designer, can be a career booster. After a few years of experience, and perhaps after passing the NCIDQ, designers can expect to earn higher salaries.

Anna says her work as an interior designer is "pretty intense." She spends "lots of hours at the office." Yet, she finds it satisfying and enjoyable. She's always wanted to go into interior design and her persistence and hard work has paid off. Her future remains bright. "I'd like to expand my clients... see where it takes me. We are talking to someone about doing some work overseas!"

Although the financial rewards are not immediate in interior design, there are many non-monetary rewards you can enjoy while working your way up the pay-scale. For those who are willing to put in the time and effort, interior design can be a creatively challenging and intellectually satisfying career choice. It's an active job that requires energy, passion and artistic skill. As an interior designer, you'll get to meet people, work with them, and help design environments that best meet their needs—all while creating beautiful spaces.

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