The need for skilled interior designers is on the rise. The industry has vast opportunities and specialised fields for the youth to excel in, says Samira Chopra
Once considered a luxury, elegant interiors are now increasingly becoming the need of every household. Earlier, restricted to giving a luxurious touch to the interiors, the concept of interior designing has now changed dramatically. With an increase in urbanisation, came smaller house and office structures, which in turn gave birth to the need of having professionals who can bring comfort, style and luxury to these small spaces. Now all those opting for the career have the challenge of giving charming look to these spaces along with using them in best possible way.
Work Profile
Having a good creative and aesthetic sense about design and décor is the soul of this profession. One can only excel in this profession if one has a good eye for colour, ambience, and style. Detailing and proper placement of the furniture and pieces of interior decoration is another important aspect of interior designing which demands a creative mind. Because this profession is all about converting the most mundane things into the cynosures of a lively structure, creativity is an attribute that should never be underrated.
Along with a keen interest in design and décor, one needs to be aware of the rules and regulations, ergonomics, psychology, ethics, spatial concepts and structural integrity of the site. If one wishes to shine nonstop in this field, a professional attitude and good knowledge of the industry is a must.
Qualification
Due to an increased love for this career, many colleges and educational establishments are providing degrees and diplomas in this field. Although the basic requirement to get entry into these courses is a 10 plus 2 qualification, but having a good creative and technical knowledge will help you achieve a lot in this career. You may also opt for this career later in your student life if you have a degree in architecture, fine arts, design or a similar field.
listening to the vision and needs of the clients is one of the most important traits an interior designer should have. Along with the listening skills, you also need to have great managerial skills as interior designing is a team work. A designer must have good interpersonal skills which may help him/her in coordination with people from diverse fields and backgrounds. If you feel uncomfortable in large groups, then interior designing might not be a great career for you.
Job Prospects
As the need for hiring interior designers is rising day by day, many suggest that it would be a bright and promising career in the near future. The industry has vast opportunities and specialised fields for the youths to excel in. Various streams available in the field residential design, business design, corporate design, healthcare design, sustainable design and landscape design. Other niche areas where you can specialise are designs of bathrooms, bedrooms or kitchens. Having good qualifications and a strong portfolio brings the assurance of a good job. And with some real practical experience, the doors to freelancing and entrepreneurship in the field always remain open.
Challenges
Not many in India know what exactly interior designing is about. They usually confuse Interior designers with Interior decorators. Anyone can be an interior decorator, but to be an interior designer it requires lots of skills, knowledge and business acumen. Right now, the profession is at its infancy stage and is not able to provide you with many benefits, but in the upcoming years the profession will gain popularity and would be the most sorted after. As clients are not much aware about how to utilise their places, one opting for the career needs to have lots of patience to please them. Also, as the trends keep changing rapidly one need to stay updated with the latest fashion trends, technologies and innovation.
Remuneration
At the beginning of your career you might not be able to get a good salary, but as the time progresses the problem and your experience level increases, the problem will be solved. In India, the starting salary varies between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 depending on your knowledge and location. A well experienced professional earns up to Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 per month. Independent contractors and designers can earn varying amounts based on their contacts, and business acumen.
The writer is interior designer and creative head, Casa Colour