Interior Design is one of those disciplines that the architecture profession can often overlook. Many of the misconceptions about Interior Designers come from misinformation or old "traditional" mindsets within the industry. But, we should take this important professional's role in the design of spaces quite seriously.
For our eighth installment of Archinect's Guide to Job Titles, we take a look at the Interior Designer. What qualifications does one need to operate in this role? What's the pay like? And how does it function alongside other design disciplines?
According to the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), interior design is defined as the professional and comprehensive practice of creating an interior environment that addresses, protects, and responds to human need(s). It is the art, science, and business planning of a creative, technical, sustainable, and functional interior solution that corresponds to the architecture of a space, while incorporating process and strategy, a mandate for well-being, safety, and health, with informed decisions about style and aesthetics. As such, Interior Designers, in a general sense, are professionals who engage in this practice of interior design.
Within an architectural firm, an Interior Designer can operate in a variety of forms. It all depends on the organization. On the one hand, an Interior Design professional can work in a manner that is limited to the interiors aspect of a given project. On the other hand, an Interior Designer could be indistinguishable from an architectural designer within the firm. This may be more apparent on projects that do not require a great deal of new construction, where the work is primarily within the interior of an existing building — a project pursuit that is quite common in architectural firms.
With our talk of titles, one might wonder a common question within the disciplines of architecture and interior design. How does an Interior Architect differ from an Interior Designer? There is much disagreement on this question. As with our previous discussions on the subtleties between similar titles, many use Interior Designer and Interior Architect interchangeably, with the most significant difference (according to some) being that the Interior Architect can work more effectively with the structural and architectural aspects of an interior space — gutting walls and other forms of interior construction, for example. A prevalent form of "interior architecture" would be adaptive-reuse projects. But, of course, anyone who has worked in the Interior Design field knows that Interior Designers can engage in this kind of work as well. Ultimately, the difference can be a semantical one, it can be fundamental to how one bills their time to a client, and it can determine what kind of work is undertaken. It all depends on the context. For a deeper dive into the various views on this question, check out this Archinect Forum thread: Interior Design or Interior Architecture?
Some of the typical qualifications and responsibilities firms seek in an Interior Designer are:
Select and coordinate FFE (Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment)
Degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Interior Architecture or related field
Proficiency in relevant design software including Revit, ArchiCAD, and other similar programs
Coordinate with in-house architectural team
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of local codes
"The best way to describe my primary responsibilities is 'a little bit of everything.' I've worked with some architects that love the design process and want to be involved in everything, furniture included. I've also worked with some architects that are more technical and ask me to lead the design," said Emily Evans, WELL AP, an Interior Designer and Project Manager at Verona Carpenter Architects in New York City. "As a Project Manager at a small firm, my role is extremely client-facing and requires coordination with consultants, but I'm also heavily involved in the drawings," Evans continued. In this smaller-sized setting, Evans also works as the firm's WELL AP and reviews items for health and wellness adherence.
"I think the biggest misconception amongst both architects and the general public is that interior designers only select finishes and furniture. People who only select finishes are decorators. Interior design requires so much more," Evans explained to me. With a BFA in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Evans expanded her expertise and focus within the profession beyond the discipline of interior design into that of architecture, something she sees as a holistic relationship. "You have to be willing to do your job 'holistically', meaning, your work doesn't stop with selecting finishes. You also need to work through the construction of those finishes and how different materials will come together," she says.
Within the architectural office, Interior Designers can meet a crucial need, one that heightens the ability of the larger architectural team around them. But, remember, qualifications and responsibilities will often be dependent on the organization.
So what are firms looking for in an Interior Designer? In Brooklyn-based Islyn Studio's search for a Senior Interior Designer, the firm states:
Applicants should have a minimum of 6 years experience in hospitality design, including completion of at least one project from concept through construction administration. Their skill set should include hand sketching, conceptual strategy, drafting CDs / custom furniture in CAD, shop drawing review, project management, and team mentorship. Flexibility to jump in anywhere on a project, to lead or provide support, is a must.
Candidates should also possess a proficient knowledge of ADA codes and regulations, have a familiarity redlining drawings, and experience coordinating a team of consultants.
Los Angeles-based firm MAWD echoes similar requirements in its search for a Senior Interior Designer:
The ideal candidate must have a combination of both interior design and architecture with FF&E and material knowledge, including proven experience of residential developments or hospitality projects.
Moreover, MAWD's potential new team member should be experienced in all phases of a project from conception to completion, be proficient in Adobe Suite and AutoCAD, and understand US building codes. A BFA or BSc in Interior Design is also crucial to the role, accompanied by at least seven years of post-graduate experience.
According to Archinect's Salary Poll, with a response pool of 155 respondents across the country, at the time of this writing, the average salary for an Interior Designer in the United States sits at $63,673 annually. We see an increase in those professionals holding roughly 8 to 10 years of experience with a $73,062 per year average per year. Move that to professionals with about 3 years of experience, and the average comes in at about $52,100 annually. The average overall pay for Interior Designers in Los Angeles is approximately $68,323 annually (19 respondents) and $66,853 in New York City (49 respondents). Ultimately, compensation will be commensurate on experience, ability, region, size of the firm, and the current job market. The numbers communicated here only represent the data of Archinect’s Salary Poll.
The Interior Designer can be an indispensable member of an architectural team and a crucial contributor to a studio focused solely on interiors. Whatever the landscape, interior design is a discipline that holistically lives within that of architecture. The two work hand in hand, and the Interior Designer would do well to heed the earlier advice: you have to be willing to do your job 'holistically.'
Interested in an Interior Designer job?
Take a look at the current opportunities on Archinect Jobs ↗
Sean Joyner is a writer and essayist based in Los Angeles. His work explores themes spanning architecture, culture, and everyday life. Sean's essays and articles have been featured in The Architect's Newspaper, ARCHITECT Magazine, Dwell Magazine, and Archinect. He also works as an ...
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