If you've always aspired to be an interior designer, you'll need the right education to get into the industry. Depending on the state you want to practice in, you might need as much as a four-year degree to qualify for a license or certification. Other states do not have regulations regarding the design industry, but it's wise to have some background before you apply for jobs.

Some states also require continuing education units for maintaining an active license. If you are already a designer and want to continue offering interior design services to your clients, you must abide by your state's laws. Even if it's not required, it's still a good idea to participate in these courses to keep up on the latest trends.

Consider the following types of interior design training:

1. Get a good foundation by attending interior design schools before you start practicing. There are schools in every state as well as online programs.

2. Think about taking an exam preparation class if you live in a state that has licensing laws. Many of these states require interior designers to pass an exam before receiving a license.

3. Further your knowledge by taking interior design education courses periodically. This may also be required by your state.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start out on the right foot with a solid interior design education

There are quite a few programs that offer this type of education, ranging from technical schools to full-fledged university programs. If your state requires a license to practice, you'll definitely need to ensure that the schools you're considering are accredited, since just any education won't necessarily cut it for the state boards.

I recommend: Find a school in your area using design-training.com. Make sure the school you have your eye on is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The American Society of Interior Designers offers a state-by-state comparison of licensing regulations so you can check education and work experience requirements.

Ace your interior designer licensing exam with good exam prep

Taking the national exam can be a daunting task. To ease your nerves, you can take an exam preparation course to help you review the material before you sit for the test. In addition, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification recommends doing some preparation, so it's a good idea to take this advice.

I recommend: Buy one of the exam study guides from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, which even offers study materials for the practicum part of the exam. If you're short on cash, TestPrepReview.com offers a free online study course.

Keep up with the latest trends by taking interior design continuing education

As you may already know, design trends can change every time the wind blows. If you want to continue making your clients happy, you might consider attending some educational courses to help you learn new things. Again, if you live in a state requiring a license, you may be required to take a certain number of credits before you renew your license biennially.

I recommend: See if any of the CEUs sponsored by the American Society of Interior Designers appeal to you. Interior Design magazine also offers quite a few interesting CEU courses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After you have your initial education, it's probably a good idea to work for one of the reputable interior design firms in your area as opposed to starting a business right off the bat. You can get some great experience in this atmosphere and get established in the industry. The professionals you work with can offer you invaluable interior design resources as well.

Interior design isn't just for homes. It's for offices, too. In fact, interior design services are for anyone who needs a space that's not only more comfortable, but also more practical. Indeed, a commercial interior design expert can help you create a workplace that's as efficient as it is attractive. After all, office interior design is equal parts form and function. Consider, for example, just a few of the interior design services that a good commercial interior design consultant can provide:

1. Decorating firms can help you with organization and storage.
2. An office designer can keep you compliant with local, state and federal building codes.
3. An interior design consultant can make your office safe, ergonomic and accessible.
4. Decorating firms can brand your business with furniture that matches your business identity.
5. An office designer can make your office more productive by optimizing light, acoustics and space.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research interior design requirements before you begin

Before browsing decorating firms, prepare yourself to answer some basic questions, including: For whom is the space being designed? What will it be used for? And, what is your timeline and budget?

I recommend: Be prepared to ask as many questions as you answer. An important question to ask your office designer is, "Are you licensed?" Several states require the answer to be yes; consult the National Council for Interior Design Qualification to find out if yours is one of them.

Start your search for interior design services via online directories

While many interior designers and decorating firms advertise online, keep in mind that because most directories charge advertisers a fee, they aren't typically comprehensive.

I recommend: Directories of interior design services include LocalInteriorDesign.com and Interior Designers Worldwide. You can also look for interior design organizations at Business.com.

Look for a seasoned interior design consultant within professional associations

Most trade associations offer free referral services through which you can connect with a commercial interior design consultant. And thanks to exacting membership requirements, association members are more likely to have good education and experience.

I recommend: The American Society of Interior Designers, the Interior Design Society and the International Furnishings & Design Association have searchable online member directories of decorating firms.

Ask interior design schools for alumni referrals

Schools nationwide produce qualified interior design professionals and can often recommend former students in your area.

I recommend: Browse the Interior Design School Review or the Council for Interior Design Accreditation to find an accredited school — and an educated interior design consultant — in your area.

Consider niche decorating firms if you have unique spatial needs

While most decorating firms can handle your average office, interior design services come in many flavors; some specialize in certain types of commercial interior design, including design for health care, hotels, restaurants and retail.

I recommend: Visit the Institute of Store Planners to find an office designer that specializes in retail, or the Foodservice Consultants Society International to find one who specializes in foodservice.

Do it yourself with office interior design software

If you've got an especially small budget and very basic needs, you might consider being your own office designer.

I recommend: Download a free trial of SmartDraw, an easy-to-use interior design software that includes thousands of ready-made graphics. The interior design software from plan3D is designed for homeowners but can also be used for office interiors. Find additional design applications via Business.com's interior design software directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your office designer signs a contract so that all parties understand clearly what the project entails, how much it will cost and when it will be finished.
• •  Choose your interior design consultant based not only on price, but also on experience, background and the quality of both the service they offer and the merchandise they buy.
• •  Look for decorating firms that will meet with you regularly to review punch lists and budgets.
• •  An interior design consultant might charge a flat fee for the entire project, an hourly fee or a 'cost plus' fee, whereby they purchase materials at cost and then sell them for an agreed-upon percentage more.

Interior designers should always stay at the forefront of the newest styles and trends of the industry. Clients’ preferences can shift quickly, and it’s up to you to deliver what each person truly desires. As an interior designer, you must be in tune to what’s going on in the wide world of design.

Obviously, your interior design services won’t be in demand if you don’t know what’s going on in the industry. There are several ways interior design consultants can keep up and find out about the latest products and styles. Consider the following:

1. Rely on magazines made just for designers. Interior design firms should always have several of these publications on hand.

2. Hit the Internet anytime you need some inspiration or have a question about new interior design trends. Blogs and news articles are constantly updated.

3. Attend trade shows to find out about innovative products and ideas for interior designers. These shows provide a wealth of information, and you can pick up catalogs from the product designers you like.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stock your interior design company with trade magazines

These publications are chock-full of information on many different styles and offer a sneak peak at new products. They can often reliably predict new trends, something you need to stay aware of. You can even gain knowledge from the ads in the magazines, which can give you some new ideas to use in your firm.

I recommend: Consider subscribing to the reputable Contract Magazine. Check out the offerings at Interior Design Directory, which offers discounts on quite a few design publications.

Get immediate information with interior design weblogs and online news

The Internet is always accessible, and there is always something new to find out. There is a whole host of bloggers writing away about the trends they see. Also, online news stories and articles about interior design are plentiful, so as you can see, there are more than enough sources out there to inspire you.

I recommend: Catch up on the latest trends with the blog from Interior Design magazine. You can find modern trends for high-end clients featured on the blog from Trendir.

Take your interior design firm staff to trade shows

Trade shows are large events in which designers in the industry come together to showcase their products and services. You can get some great inspiration from these shows, which are held periodically throughout the country. From flooring and wall concepts to furniture and textiles, trade shows offer a look at the latest trends and interior design resources.

I recommend: See if there are any trade shows in your area using MySpaceDesigners.com. Check out the Work.com Guide to Interior Design Trade Show to find shows all over the United States and Canada.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many interior design magazines offer free newsletters that are delivered to your email inbox daily or weekly. This is another great opportunity to find out about hot styles and the newest residential and commercial design trends.

Interior design work involves analyzing space to promote safety, health and productivity. It concerns itself with creating an environment within an interior space for better functioning or enhancement of a more ethereal quality such as serenity. It is a multifaceted job that can require working with architects and building contractors, as well as individual clients. Interior design is used by organizations and individuals. Nowadays there is also more emphasis on creating "green" environments.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Building shell

The building shell refers to the load-bearing elements of a building - its walls, framework, columns and core. These aspects of a building are integral to structural integrity. As elements that keep the building up, they need to be considered when learning about the interior design.

I recommend: The OfficeFinder glossary offers definitions of many terms, including the building shell.

Facade

The facade is the exterior of a building that has architectural significance and needs to be taken into account by an interior designer.

I recommend: Architectural Iron has examples of building facades done in iron, showing why interior design work also has to consider the outside of a building.

Ambient lighting and task lighting

Ambient lighting is general illumination from any source, as opposed to task lighting, which is directed to a specific area, such as a desk or defined area within a room. This is a crucial aspect of interior design.

I recommend: PCmag provides a definition and drawing of ambient lighting. Luxo shows different types of fixtures, including task lights, used by designers.

Environmental

This term refers to the conditions of an interior space that affect the health of occupants. It includes air conditions, layout and temperature, as well as anything else that would also affect the safety of occupants.

I recommend: Design Intelligence discusses the role of environmental concerns within the creation of an interior design.

Documentation

Documentation, as related to interior design, refers to construction drawings, specifications, purchasing and bidding paperwork that are necessary in doing an interior design job.

I recommend: NCIDQ offers a glossary that has more information on documentation.

Lines, shapes and light

There are key visual elements to interior design, such as lines, shapes and light. Each interacts with the other. When interior designers refer to these words they mean something specific.

I recommend: Design-Hotels provides definitions and more information about these terms.