There are some professions and skills that are, undoubtedly, viewed as “easier” than others because they’re creative. Whether it’s writing, performing or something art related, this is a narrative that has been around in popular culture for a long time, and it probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Unfortunately, this goes for interior design – people who don’t understand the profession, what it entails and the skills it requires often assume that it’s as easy as decorating a house. Well, of course it’s not. If it were, there would be absolutely no need for interior designers.
Interior design is a complex profession that requires a combination of artistic ability, technical knowledge and business savvy. It’s not just about picking out pretty fabric and furniture – it’s about creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that meet the needs of specific clients.
Here is some insight into a few of the different reasons why interior design requires skill and expertise.
It Requires Vast Knowledge of Design Principles and Techniques
Knowing and understanding all the essential design principles and techniques means having knowledge of an incredibly large range of information. This includes everything from colour theory and lighting design to spatial planning and ergonomics. It’s not enough to simply have a good eye for aesthetics – you also need to understand how to create functional, comfortable spaces that meet the needs of your clients.
You Need to be Able to Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously
Many different professions require the ability to multitask, at least in some way, whether you’re placing online soccer bets or doing accounting. but interior design requires professionals to be fully invested in multiple projects at the same time. Not only that, but they need to be completely on top of everything that’s going on within each project and they need to be able to maintain their passion and enjoyment for it.
When you have a lot going on, it can be really hard to keep this going, so being on top of your game all around is a skill that you need to develop.
It’s All About Business
As an interior designer, you spend a lot of time dealing with clients and working from a business perspective. This means that you need to not only be able to market yourself and your work, but you have to be able to connect with your clients in such a way that shows them your passion as well as your style and ability to appreciate what they want.
It’s absolutely essential to be able to run a successful business, which means not only dealing with customers one-on-one and marketing your company but doing some of the boring things too like scheduling, placing orders and so on.
You need to be flexible and able to adapt to last minute changes or any kind of unexpected problems that may arise. The ability to be able to deal with problems and come up with solutions without panicking is an important skill to have as a successful interior designer.