What do you do if you're unsure which job role to pursue in Interior Design?

If you're unsure which job role to pursue in interior design, explore a variety of options within the field. Research different roles such as residential designer, commercial designer, sustainable design consultant, or set designer to understand their responsibilities and requirements. Consider internships, shadowing experiences, or informational interviews to gain firsthand insight into various job roles. Reflect on your skills, interests, and career goals to identify roles that align with your strengths and aspirations. Exploring different options allows you to make an informed decision and embark on a path that suits you best.

Take the time to research and explore the various job roles available within the field of Interior Design. Look into different specializations, such as residential design, commercial design, hospitality design, or sustainable design, to gain a better understanding of your interests and preferences.

Interior design - might sound like a small name, but it has wide branches to it. Interior design is a field which has lot number of options to choose from. The first step is to explore the various roles available. There are residential designers - that also has a various streams like, luxury designers who creates high end and stylish homes, modular designers - creates home as per basic necessity of client. There are commercial designers - who again split into luxury retail stores and others into IT workspaces. There are designers who are specialize only in lighting, sustainable designs, set designs etc. Take opportunity learn about each possibility and define your path in which you want to specialize which can actually become your niche.

Evaluate your skills, strengths, and areas of interest to determine which job roles align best with your abilities and passions. Consider your design aesthetic, technical proficiency, communication skills, and project management abilities when assessing potential career paths.

Once you have explored the various options in interior design, its necessity to even access your own skills, strengths, even weaknesses and most importantly your area of interest which actually makes you happy working in. Understand what you love doing, what are your best abilities and what is something you can bring best out for yourself and your clients. Identifying and accepting that you cant be master of all is crucial. As this will help you in determining which interior design room will be most fulfilling for you and all people you work with.

One can only identify their niche or creative strength after exploring different projects and avenues. Real- time experience offers a great insight into what practically a role looks like. It’s impossible to judge or be sure of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or shortcomings without practical work experience, and due guidance from seniors, mentors or peers whilst you embark on your professional journey. Remember- learning and exploring should be emphasised before being lured into high paying roles. In the long run, what you’re passionate about and skilled at will determine your relevance and growth, not a short- sighted approach or assumptions. Work and analyse for yourself.

When you are starting out, it is necessary to gain experience. Gaining experience is invaluable, when you try gaining it from various architects and interior designer who works in different categories and niche. This will not only help you to identify your niche but also your strengths towards those niche. Take opportunity to do internship with various companies, few part times or even offering to volunteer work for some historical places. This will help in developing your practical knowledge and also will help you build a great portfolio. When you are starting out, don't look for monetary growth more, but look for companies which gives you high return of knowledge. That's the biggest gain you can have.

Deciding your job role will require introspection on your strengths & weaknesses. If you have a flair to communicate well, you could join a sales role in a big company or a studio. If creativity is your strength, you join as a designer covering the 10% to 50% stage. A flair for numbers will mean you could take up a Quantity surveyors role. If you love being at interior sites, you could take up a Site Validation person's role. Depending on what you are looking for, choose an adjunct course to skill up yourself.

Consider pursuing further education or training to develop specialized skills and knowledge relevant to your desired job roles. Explore academic programs, workshops, certifications, or continuing education courses that can enhance your qualifications and prepare you for specific career paths within Interior Design.

Interior design field has vast streams, and has various specialized education courses towards it. Basic education in interior design, can provide you the base to start your journey as interior designer. It will open various doors for you to explore practical knowledge, which is more essential than the theoretical knowledge. But additional certification or higher education can help you gain more knowledge and also make you specialized in that particular area. So always be open to keep learning and redefining yourself and education has no age or knowledge limit.

Take time for self-reflection to assess your career goals, values, and aspirations. Regularly evaluate your interests, strengths, and growth opportunities to ensure that your career path aligns with your long-term objectives and personal fulfillment.

??Despite my expertise, I felt torn between different paths, unsure of which direction would best align with my skills and interests. ??To navigate this dilemma, I took proactive steps. I engaged in informational interviews with professionals in various interior design roles to gain insights into their day-to-day responsibilities and career trajectories. Additionally, I sought mentorship from seasoned industry experts who provided valuable guidance and perspective based on their own experiences. ??Through self-reflection, exploration, and mentorship, I eventually gained clarity on my career aspirations, enabling me to confidently pursue a fulfilling job role in interior design.

Remain open-minded and flexible as you explore different career paths within Interior Design. Keep learning, experimenting, and adapting to new opportunities and challenges along your professional journey. Trust your instincts and follow your passion to find a rewarding and fulfilling career path in Interior Design.