What is the job market like for interior designers?

	What is the job market like for interior designers? Is there a big demand for them? I'm trying to decide if I should major in Interior Design or Web Development. Asked By: Mhmm. - 1/30/2009

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I was a publications director in the government and retired, then sold high-end furniture and helped people with interior design. I have a degree in art and English but no degree in interior design. To be a true interior designer, you will need a degree, talent and taste, and a good personality. It was more fun than the publications business. However, at this time it is hard to tell you what to do. Yes the economy is in the toilet. In 4 years who knows? So I will try to tell you some pros and cons for both. Computer design requires a lot of sitting in usually dark offices in not so great settings. You will experience back strain, carpal tunnel and eye strain. It is not a healthy profession from that standpoint. If you are an active person that cannot sit and concentrate for long periods, try something else. I had a double-major in art and English, and the ability to edit and spell and write made me a good person to manage artists and writers. So do not avoid the grammar and spelling. Anything on the computer loses credibility if it is poorly written and misspelled. Deadlines can be brutal and changes are constant, so you must have patience to continually redo work. That is the bad news about the job. There is good news. It can be creative and rewarding and it can pay well. I have a friend who is creating online courses and there is money in that for sure. Interior design pays 2 ways. If you sell furniture you get a commission from what you sell. If you are a certified designer you can get paid by the hour or job or get a cut of the commission on what you get people to buy. People are fickle and are sometimes impossible to predict or please. When they are happy it is a great thrill and I loved that. When I made a big sale I loved that. But I met some of the craziest customers and sales associates. You will not have a predictable income. Currently I know people who have no income. I suggest you learn to do as much as you can yourself--learn to build, sew, paint, install, whatever. If you get summer jobs, try to do something related to the trade. I worked for 2 big furniture stores with excellent lines of furniture. Much of what went wrong was out of my control--late orders, cancelled fabric, warehouse and delivery damage--and I was a control-freak of sorts. A lot of highs and lows, but the highs were high. As a final bit of advice, you must find something to do for a living that gives you joy and that you want to do everyday. The money isn't as important as how you feel about what you do. Follow your passion. You may be the most successful web OR interior designer in the world and you should follow your dream. Answered By: Greg C - 1/30/2009

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I just finished remodeling my kitchen and used Home depot. they layed off everyone but one designer in the kitchen are. times are bad right now, Answered By: nyclee418 - 1/30/2009

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