r/interiordesigner

I am career switching into Interior Architecture Design with a previous Bachelors and Masters in a non art/design related field. Enrolled now in community college to get a certificate.

I am most interested in landing a commercial designer job in spaces of hospitality possible in next 1 year and most 2 year.

However I am wondering if anyone has been able to get into a job in commercial after community college?

Also during my studies what should I prioritize during my school?? Example I have architecture history class to take which is interesting but should I spend less time and focus on this class compared to learning/practicing AutoCAD etc?

I’m always looking to expand my list of trade-only vendors and would love to hear everyone’s favorites.

I’m specifically interested in companies that truly protect the design community by selling exclusively through designers and not listing their products through online retailers or marketplaces. One of the biggest frustrations lately has been how easy it is for clients to reverse image search or use AI tools to identify products. While my contract clearly states that shopping my designs isn’t permitted, I’d much rather specify vendors that genuinely support the trade model.

I spend a lot of time building relationships with sales reps, visiting showrooms, and sourcing unique pieces, so I’m always excited to discover companies I haven’t come across yet.

I’m based in the U.S., so domestic vendors are especially appreciated, particularly with current tariffs and the advantages of custom manufacturing here. That said, I’d also love to hear about exceptional trade-only companies outside the U.S.

I’d love recommendations in any category.

Several of my favorite trade only vendors that I've had great experiences with are listed below:

- Charles Stewart / (semi) Custom Upholstery (amazing lead times, pricing and great quality)

- Jerry Pair / East Coast textile & furnishings distributor for many amazing brands

- Ainsworth Noah / Also East Coast textile & furnishings distributor

- BH Home, Inc / (fully) Custom Upholstery & Wood Furnishings based on the West Coast (The owner is so delightful to work with)

- Urban Electric / Lighting / available to the general public, however, only trade members can create custom finishes.

>I am a certified Interior Designer (Diploma), and am struggling on how to further my studies without having to pay for anything because I'm unemployed (figured out why a couple of days ago) and have no money, but would like to add to my portfolio/resume/cover letter for a better chance, I've also come to the realization that if no one wants me as an interior designer i could happily go down a Graphics Design route (and yes i know what I'm doing there as for my first year in college they made us learn a little of most designs for incase we had chosen the wrong course and further along in my studies it was crucial to know Graphics Design basics), I have an Ipad that I have been practicing drawing on and I've tried downloading a whole bunch of free interior design related apps that all end up wanting you to pay for a subscription for better things than the crappy basics that they give you.

I (28F) live in Seattle, and I’ll be graduating from a remote UCLA interior design program in September. Im in the process of finding a job in the industry, and needless to say it’s been a tough job market to break into.

The program that I’m attending is entirely remote, and I feel like I’ve really missed out on the networking side of going to school. Like everyone always says “it’s not what you know but who you know”.

I decided a good starting point would be joining IIDA, but now that I’ve joined I don’t even know where to start. I reached out about volunteering a couple of weeks ago but haven’t heard from anyone.

What do you recommend for finding a good community of designers? How can I get more involved and meet people in the industry? What other steps would you take to help break into the industry as a student?

Hi! I'm an architect with 10 years of experience working on larger scale residential projects. I am burnt out and my dream has always been more Interior Design focused.

So I've decidied that I want to start taking side projects in Interior Design but the only part of the process that I am unsure about is furniture sourcing and interior finishes sourcing.

Would love advice of how you started your career without sourcing knowledge and how I can start to build a library and/or relationships with companies to make this part of the process more professional.

Also any other tips for me from anyone who has been in my shoes is so appreciated!

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some honest feedback because I’m trying to figure out whether this is mostly the market, my interview performance, or something else.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Architecture and recently completed a Master’s in Interior Design in Toronto. My experience includes architecture and interior design work in Dubai/India, and I’ve been applying mainly for junior interior design and architectural positions in Toronto.
So far:
\- Around 4 interviews over the past couple of months.
\- Every interview seemed to go well overall ( In my latest interview I had really high score as per read.ai’s review that I was provided by the interviewer at the end of the call)
\-I usually connect well with the interviewers and the conversations flow naturally.
\-But I haven’t received an offer from any of them.

I had really high hopes for my latest interview, even they seemed very enthusiastic about giving me all information about their work culture. Infact, they had send me a mail to schedule my interview within 30mins of sending them my application. But now its been 2 weeks since that interview was done with and its radio silence. I sent them a follow up too but no response.

I’ve also had my portfolio reviewed multiple times and have made improvements along the way.

I’m trying to understand:
\- Is getting several interviews but no offers fairly common in the current Toronto market?
\-Have any of you gone through a similar streak before finally landing a role?
\-From your experience as a hiring manager or interviewer, what are the most common reasons a candidate reaches the interview stage repeatedly but doesn’t get selected?
\-Are there any patterns I should be looking for that candidates themselves often miss?

I’m genuinely looking for constructive criticism rather than reassurance. If there’s something I might be overlooking, I’d rather hear it.

>I quit my previous job, took the leap, and just launched my virtual 3D visualization and residential interior design studio. The foundation of the business is built, my portfolio is up, and my work is out there. My past clients and other business owners have loved my work, and I deeply love what I do.

Right now, I’m in the gap. Everything is ready, and now I’m just waiting for the next clients to arrive.

As someone recovering from chronic stress and survival mode, this quiet period has triggered some anxiety. I find myself wanting to panic-scroll social media, question my abilities, or question if I need to learn entirely new rendering programs.

For other virtual studio owners who have been here: How do you mentally navigate the silence when you are waiting for clients? How do you practice patience and trust your foundation without letting the financial panic make you spin out?

TIA!

Time to time i always have some itchy feeling being interested in interior design, but not like in a way of colours, shading etc. More like organising efficient and harmonical layout, i guess? Also pretty interested in creating 3d visual layouts, I've had some experience with 3d graphics and i believe i can learn do to some quality work, so... How do i learn? I tried a few times to go into that rabbit hole and couldn't quite make any sense with it, interior design have so many faces so i can't understand what am i exactly supposed to do, can someone help me?

I'm curious how other designers are pulling together their fixed fee models. I'd like to move to a hybrid approach, doing fixed fee pricing for everything up until construction admin, then moving to hourly once construction begins. All my research has pointed that the industry standard is about 15%-20% of the total construction costs. Does this seem appropriate?

I'm currently renovating/designing homes that were purchased for 2M+ and construction costs range anywhere from $250,000 - $1M+ depending on scope of work. I've billed hourly up until now but really hoping to streamline my process and admin.

The fixed fee feels like such a big number, even when it's tied to phases/deliverables. Do these large numbers tend to scare clients off? The numbers I'm looking at from that percentage perspective do equate to what I end up billing hourly for a similarly priced project so it absolutely lines up, I just feel like its harder to get a client on board with a lump sum price.

Would love and appreciate any insight from others who bill in a similar model!

Hi everyone! This is my first Reddit post, so I’d love some feedback and perspective. I’m 24 and currently finishing my bachelor's degree in interior design. As a nontraditional student, my journey has looked a little different from that of my peers/colleagues. I’ve spent years balancing school, multiple jobs, and adult responsibilities, which has at times made it difficult to fully immerse myself in my design education as I would have liked. I’ve been working as a design consultant for about a year, and while I’m grateful for the experience, I’m starting to think seriously about what comes next. I’ve heard that if I want to grow in the industry, I should pursue more hands-on design experience. The challenge is that I’m not always confident in my portfolio. I’ve completed projects for school, but because I’ve often been focused on simply getting through semesters while working, I don’t always feel like my work reflects my full potential. I’ve been networking, attending industry events, and trying to learn as much as possible, but I still feel unsure about which direction to take. Some designers have suggested kitchen and bath design as a natural transition from consulting. Others have encouraged me to explore freelancing, build my portfolio independently, and not limit myself before I even graduate.

I think part of my uncertainty comes from feeling caught between practicality and passion. I understand the importance of having stable employment, especially when you’re supporting yourself. Still, I also don’t want to wake up five years from now feeling like I never took a chance on the design side of the industry. For those of you working in design-related fields,

How did you get your first real design experience?
What would you focus on if you were in my position?
Would you stay in a consulting role while building a portfolio, or make a move into a more design-focused position ASAP?

I’d love to hear your experiences and any advice you may have. I’m trying not to feel discouraged!

Thanks! xoxo

I am 23 F, joined interiors during covid. the lockdown and online classes hit me hard in terms of mental health. Didn't take any exams hence no degree. Took over family's business developed my soft skills. Now I am in much better state mentally but not in terms of career wise......... want to go back to college and get the right guidance for interior design. Helpp me pls. I am currently located in karnataka, INDIA. I want to study away from my home, take internships, participate in competitions, build a portfolio, and get into the field. Help me choose if I should be taking a diploma instead of degree and get into the field r if i should opt a 3-4 yr degree.

plsss i need some guidance. I tried self studying but not having the right guidance makes me feel incapable of working in the field and also the industry seem to expect to trust u only with a degree

help me