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Places where you can find Work

Not everyone that is interested in interior design will want to run their own business. Some would prefer to express their creativity while working for someone else. There are many places that you could work and still be an interior designer. I’ve made a list of places and jobs that you could do if starting your own business is just not right for you right now.
· Architectural Firm, you can read and create blueprints, draw up sample pieces, and create models.
· Design center Showroom: In this job, you get to design and arrange the items on the showroom floor. This is often in furniture stores, department store windows etc. it can be a lot of fun.
· Retail Furniture Store: You can set up the floor area, mark up the material, and learn the basics of mix and match furniture. (also called eclectic)
Many of these jobs are great if you are a self learner. They will give you a great deal of experience in sales, design, and coordinating fabrics and colors. It is a great way to get the basics before starting your own business.
By now you will know if a career in Interior Design is right for you. I hope that you will enjoy your new career, and that you got all of the tips that you need to make the right choice for you.

Quick Tips on Pricing your Services

Every Interior Designer has to learn how to price their services. You have to do this so that you can give proper estimates to your clients. This will be invaluable to you as a service provider.
Many people find this to be a very difficult process because they don’t want to over price their clients, nor do they want to lose money on the deal. This can be very frustrating and stressful. However, if you know how to break down the costs it gets a lot easier, and helps you break it down to the client so that they are comfortable.
Since every job is different, every invoice will be different as well. There are different types of invoices that you should have. They each require a different layout and outline. This makes it easier to break down later for calculating the costs.
1. Costs and Labor: This type of invoice is for designers that have to hire outside contractors to help with the work. (usually when you need to hire people to do drywall for construction work etc)
2. Costs: This type of invoice is generally just for the costs of the extra furniture and accessories or lighting fixtures that are needed. It also covers the agreed upon extras like paint and wallpaper.
3. General: This is the type of invoice that only covers your prices as the designer. It deals with the work that you do alone. This invoice is always included with one of the others.
When trying to decide how to put a value to your services alone, that is pretty much up to you. It is best not to price yourself too high in the beginning because you are not a bankable name yet. There are two ways to charge your clients.
1. Hourly: This method is best for small or simple projects because they are more difficult to price on a per project basis. If you are a starter, you should start yourself at around $15-$20 an hour. At least until you establish yourself in the field. Once you are established you may charge as much as you’d like.
2. Per Project: This is generally reserved for projects of a larger scale. These are the projects that require the hiring of contractors and various others to help you. Since there is so much work involved, you cannot expect to charge by the hour.

Tips for Building a Portfolio with Little or no Professional Experience

1. Ask Friend or family to let youdesign a room in their house, and take pictures of your work for the portfolio.
2. Get your friends and family to write letters of recommendation for you or list themselves as references.
3. A leather binder, or photo album can be used to hold all of this information until you have better resources.
4. If you have them, copies of your credentials should be placed at the front of your portfolio to assure your future clients that you are qualified.
5. Put your best work forward. Do not show any work that you are not proud to have done.
There are of Course a couple of items that Interior designers always have on hand at all times. These are rather necessary, even if you are just starting out or want to get started.

Here is a list of some of the things that will be invaluable to you as you start your own Interior Design business. They are simply ways of helping you know what to do to get a possible client base.
1. Sell yourself: You will want to sell the public on your services and abilities. Do as much promotion as you can. Go everywhere that you can think of that hosts design events, and set yourself up as a contender.
2. Mingle: Try to meet as many different types of people as possible. Go to golf and country clubs with a load of business cards on hand. Be sure to have your portfolio on hand in case you get any bites. Go to all of the popular events in your area and start talking to people.
3. Start-Up Help: There are many places that you can go to get help with start up money. This only applies to people who are seeking to lease a studio outside of the home. Check your local government or business assistance programs.
4. Establish your Position: You want to ensure that you can let your community know that you are out there. Handing out flyers, offering special discounts or free services to your neighbors can let the people get a sample of your work. It is a good way to get your neighbors to spread the word.
5. Build your Clientele: I cannot express too much, the importance of approaching homeowners and businessmen with your ideas for refurbishing their spaces.

What you will need

· Color swatches for paints and fabrics ( you can get many of them for free from local paint stores if you ask)
· Fabric samples are a necessity (you can get them for free from your local furniture store)
· Interiordesign magazines for client perusal (it helps them get an idea of what they like)
· Furniture catalogues (free from furniture dealers and retailers)
· Fine arts catalogue, get them from art galleries
· Kitchen and bathroom catalogues. Basically get catalogues from everybody that deals with furniture, art, and lighting stores
· Photos of your work, and signed recommendations (remember you get them from family and friends when you are just starting out)
· Your portfolio (always have a copy of your portfolio)

How to Start your Interior Design Business

Starting any businessis never simple, but it doesn’t have to be as complicated as many people think. A lot of what is needed is actually fun. You have to understand that much of starting any business requires you to be a salesman. You have to build yourself and your company up.
You must get a business number and registration. You can check your government listings for the correct number. You must also check with your local accountant to see what needs to be done about taxes etc.
You must also decide if you are going to be a home business or if you are planning to run a studio for a lease. Make sure to purchase all of the necessary materials. Some items you can get for free if you know where to look. Here is a list of some of those materials.

What to expect when Getting Started

When you are just getting started in any business, you can expect to have to do a lot of leg work to get a clientele base. This is not easy, and requires a great deal of people skills from you. You will have to go out there and meet every person that you can think of.
You should expect to encounter a lot of rejection from consumers, as well as competition from other designers. Many times, a potential client will want to place your work and estimates against others. If you can, offer to outbid everyone that you can, but be careful because a client may not tell you the truth about the bids. It is good to try and check with the designers about their bids. Some will tell you.
As a new Interior Designer, you can expect to get a lot of resistance from potential clients. You can expect to spend a great deal of time and money on building up your name. You may have to lower your estimates at first. You may have to spend some money by advertising your services in your local newspaper or penny saver.
Here are a few good ideas on how you can get some attention for you and your business.
1. Set up a booth at your local mall. Have business cards and your portfolio on hand. Try and set up some of your best work around you and prop them up for all to see. Offer free estimates to any takers.
2. Do the same at any other community gatherings.
3. Offer to do small jobs for free with the addition of a paid space.
4. Insert flyers into you local newspaper.
5. Build your portfolio.

Extra Information:

Many Interior Designers create their own products
and product lines. They design everything from furniture, to furniture accessories. It can be a great way to promote your design services, and make a little bit of extra money. It’s relatively common practice among designers, you may want to consider it.

What Can I Expect?

There is literally no limit to how much money you can earn as an Interior Designer. Of course a lot of that depends on what type of position you plan to have in the field as well. An assistant interior designer can start at $20.00 an hour, a certified interior designer can start anywhere from $50,000-$60,000 annually, and a partner can make as much as $200,000 annually.
These are really general estimates, but they are as was listed in 2003 in Decorator’s Home Journal. Every person that is interested in Interior Design as a career can expect to make as much or as little as they want. You can virtually decide your financial potential on your own.