If you are like many individuals, you may desire at least some level of flexibility in your chosen career. If that is the case, part of your research efforts into possible avenues of employment focuses on flexibility. As I discussed in a moment, there are a variety of ways in which a particular career can prove flexible. With these points noted, you may wonder whether you can have flexibility in a career as an interior designer.
Basic Overview of Interior Design
At its very essence, interior design and a career as an interior designer involves the art or process of designing the interior décor of a building or room in a structure. There are a variety of different subspecialties in the realm of interior design. These include residential, commercial, governmental, medical or healthcare, and universal.
The bulk of the subspecialties in interior design are relatively self-explanatory. Universal interior design may be a concept unknown at first blush. Universal interior design focuses on making a building or space universally accessible to all people. This segment of interior design is involved in creating an interior space in such a manner that it is readily accessible to a broad range of individuals, including people with physical limitations. For example, a professional involved in universal interior design will design a pace that is wheelchair accessible.
Interior Design and Time Flexibility
A large percentage of interior designers work as independent contractors, owners of small firms, or as team members in a smaller firm. When “working for myself” or employment in a smaller company is mentioned, oftentimes an immediate response is that such a situation provides a greater degree of flexibility. On some level this mantra is true. In many ways, it is not, however.
When embarking on a career as an independent interior designer, you have significant flexibility in the exact area of the profession you choose to work, a fact that is discussed more fully and separately in a moment. Where you will encounter less flexibility is in regard to your time. Because oftentimes an interior designer is functionally a small business owner or an independent entrepreneur, time becomes a premium. This particularly is the case during the early years in the profession when working to establish yourself as a reputable, talented interior designer.
Interior Design and Subspecialty Flexibility
Where you may have a greater degree of flexibility is in the selection of the particular subspecialty in which to work as an interior designer. In this day and age, a typical interior designer does elect to work within one subspecialty. Currently, there is a demand for talented interior designers in each of the subspecialties referenced at the start of this discussion. Thus, a person interested in a career in interior design does have the ability to select a preferred area in which to work.
The largest segments of interior designers are those that work in residential and commercial settings. Interior designers in the residential subspecialty break down a bit further, in some cases. There are interior designers who focus on new construction while others focus on remodeling and rehabilitating endeavors.
On the commercial side, there is also something of a breakdown. There are commercial interior designers that focus on new construction, large corporate design projects, and small businesses.
Interior Design and Role Flexibility
A final area in which you can enjoy some flexibility as an interior designer is in what fairly can be called “role flexibility.” You can elect to be an independent contractor or you can seek a firm of some type to join. If you elect to set up your own shop, you may reach a juncture at which you can bring on additional members to your team. This permits you the ability to assume different types of roles within your firm at your choosing.
The job outlook for interior designers is projected to be relatively strong between now and 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the present time, there are an estimated 75,400 positions in the interior design arena today. As noted, many of these are self-employed or independent contractors, a status that is expected to carry forth unchanged into the future. By 2028, the profession is anticipated to grow by about 4 percent. This rate of growth is considered faster than average when contrasted with other professions in the United States.
Related Resources:
What Degree Do I Need To Become An Interior Designer?
Do Different States Have Different Requirements for Interior Designers?
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
What is The Difference Between an Interior Designer and an Architect?
What Skills Does an Interior Designer Need?
Can I Become an Interior Designer Without a Degree?
What Other Jobs Does Someone with Experience as an Interior Designer Have Skills For?
What Kind of Bachelor’s Degree Should I Consider if I Want to Become an Interior Designer?
Do Interior Designers Mostly Work for Themselves?
Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?