So you want to be an interior designer.. |
Manufacturing
Spend some time in the factories learning how a couch is made, knowing the manufacturing basics can stand you in good course later in your career!
Know what’s available
Go and visit everyone, from manufacturers to suppliers. You need to have the knowledge of what can be purchased off the shelf, what can be made and what has to be imported!
Portfolio!
Your portfolio is everything! At the end of the day, you may have several years of design school under your belt, but if you portfolio is crap, you are not going to get the job.
Spend as much time as possible working on your porty. It has to be brilliant! You want and need a show stopper here!
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Who does’t want to be the, “next big thing”, or the designer that creates that iconic chair that sees you springboard to design god status! But even the greats had to start somewhere.. So I suggest here is a good place!
To improve your chances of getting that all important foot in the door and step on the career ladder to greatness, fame and of course fortune!We have put together a few helpful tips to fast track you to real life experience!
Know your Craft!
This is really important, as obvious as it sounds, you need to get to grips of who, what, where and of course how. All you need is the internet. Spend time learning about the Tricia Guild's and The Kelly Hoppen's of the design world. What their fundamental differences are in terms of design and thought process. Learn about Andrew Martin, his furniture and fabrics. What & Who's hot in his current design review. Learn about the leaders in furniture design - what's selling, and why!
Trends
We all want to design around the trend, design for longevity and elegance! But we have to face facts, trends are intricate in the selling of products, be it fashion, furniture, fabrics. So keep up to date with what's happening.. get all the magazines you can lay your hands on. local and international! South Africa tends to be a season behind, so we can really have a good idea what's coming around the corner and be prepared!
Software
I cant stress the importance of this enough. Interior designers must learn graphic design software. Your presentations are everything in terms of selling a client on your ideas! So learn, Photoshop, learn the Adobe suite. This will help you throughout your career. If you are not the best illustrator, get busy with that 3d design software. 3d Max is always a good place to start!
Fabrics
Spend your days in all the various fabric houses. Learn about the differences between local and imports, get to grips with texture, patterns, costs and availabilities. Know all the fabric houses, and what ranges they offer!
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So finally... when you are at your interview looking sharp, talking about the latest trends, manufacturing processes and the fundamental importance of Helden Martins influence in south african furniture design... how can you not get the job!!
Still not coming right..
Stare fear in the face and go it alone! Do anything to get your first job... Blog, get a website! Don't let “age” or "experience" stand in your way, trust me, you will get older, and you will gain experience, and you will make mistakes, but that's all part of the game.. its an adventure after all..
May as well have some fun.. its design after all!!!
Ps.. if you are an intern.. never ever ask your potential employer for a job description.. really a bad idea!!
Click here! for a list of
trust worthy manufacturers to get you going..
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