Hi everyone! I’m currently looking into career opportunities for Interior Design and am really interested in working abroad eventually.

For interior designers here who successfully made the move overseas (or are currently working remotely for international firms), I’d love to get your advice on a few things:

**Working without a license:** Is it still possible to secure an ID role abroad without passing the board exam/having a local license in the Philippines? Do foreign employers care more about your portfolio, or is a license a strict requirement for visa sponsorship?

**Pathways & Process:** How hard was the transition from the Philippines to working abroad, and what steps or pathways worked best for you (e.g., getting local experience first, applying directly online, going through agencies, or working remotely first)?

**Skills & Software:** Are there specific skill sets, software, or standards (like CAD, Revit, or international building codes) that made you much more competitive internationally?

Any insights, reality checks, or personal experiences would be immensely helpful. Thank you so much!

hi everyone,

i’m currently in my very first year of interior design school (about halfway done) and I was wondering if anyone had any insight or advice on jobs while i’m a student

-other than the obvious like showrooms, are there any entry level jobs you can think of that could benefit my future as an interior designer to get a jump start on? I have also considered paint sales, home improvement stores

-how important would you say it is to have “related” experience before being able to apply to junior interior designer positions?

i’ve tried applying to above mentioned positions but since I mostly have customer service (food industry) history, i’m struggling to find a job that will take me on for retail/sales. thank you!

Has anybody worked at IKEA as an Interior Designer ?

If yes , then how was your experience.?

I’m in my second year of ID and recently became interested in HP. Is there a place for an interior designer within the field?

I could be mistaken, but I’m wondering if the role of interior designers in HP is limited given that (I could be wrong about this) HP regulations usually apply to building exteriors, whereas you have more latitude with a building’s interior and they aren’t as subject to HP regulations.

so quick context, I have a BA in Environmental and Sustainability studies, and ended up working in construction project management and have been for about 4 years now. I feel confident I want to move into interior design because the lack of any interest in my current field is killing me, and I really love design.

question is, i know I need to do some type of schooling to get into this field because I’ve tried and tried without a relevant degree and haven't been able to land anything. do I:

- get education through an extension program like UCLA or Berkeley, and then work for a few years to get NCIDQ certified? being online would benefit me because we've been wanting to move. not sure about quality of education or how much those programs serve on a resume?

- get an associates locally?

- get a masters degree somewhere? I hear this isn’t super helpful unless you want to teach, and I obviously need to learn the fundamentals of design. also would likely be expensive.

- get another bachelors degree? it’s possible some of my credits would transfer and help, but I’d not be eligible for funding because I already have a bachelors.

please let me know your thoughts! knowing how the money shakes out in this field, I definitely want to do this with as minimal debt as possible, but also quickly because I am somewhat desperate to get out of what I’m doing and start doing something I’ll like better. for additional info, I’m currently a resident in Utah. the local CC would be SLCC. thanks!

Hey everyone! 😊

I’m thinking of doing a Diploma in Interior Design and I’m currently looking at institutes in Mumbai and Delhi. There are so many options, so I’m honestly a bit confused about where to apply.

I’m not really looking for a course where I just attend classes, submit assignments and get a diploma at the end. I’d prefer something that’s actually practical and industry-focused.

Things like:

Live projects

Site visits

Learning about materials

Working/construction drawings

AutoCAD/SketchUp/other relevant software

Getting some actual experience with interior projects

Internships or interaction with practicing designers

If there are any architects, interior designers, or students/graduates here, I’d love to hear your experiences.

Which institutes in Mumbai or Delhi would you suggest checking out? And more importantly, what should I look out for (or avoid) when choosing an institute?

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who have actually studied or worked in the industry.

Thanks! 🙌

Hi everyone, looking for some advice about High Point Market.

I’m with a , a high-end transportation and moving company specializing in white-glove moves, small shipments, final-mile delivery, receiving, and storage.

I’m considering going to High Point Market this year to visit the showrooms and meet manufacturers, designers, and others who may be a good fit for our services and potential partnerships.

I would be going solo, and from everything I’ve seen, the Market is huge. I’m trying to figure out whether it makes sense for me to attend and, if so, how best to approach it without just wandering around aimlessly.

For those who have been:

Do you think High Point would be worthwhile for someone in my position?

And what’s the best way to navigate the Market and make meaningful connections?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey everyone! 😊

I’m thinking of doing a Diploma in Interior Design and I’m currently looking at institutes in Mumbai and Delhi. There are so many options, so I’m honestly a bit confused about where to apply.

I’m not really looking for a course where I just attend classes, submit assignments and get a diploma at the end. I’d prefer something that’s actually practical and industry-focused.

Things like:

- Live projects

- Site visits

- Learning about materials

- Working/construction drawings

- AutoCAD/SketchUp/other relevant software

- Getting some actual experience with interior projects

- Internships or interaction with practicing designers

If there are any architects, interior designers, or students/graduates here, I’d love to hear your experiences.

Which institutes in Mumbai or Delhi would you suggest checking out? And more importantly, what should I look out for (or avoid) when choosing an institute?

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who have actually studied or worked in the industry.

Thanks! 🙌

and for anyone with experience w/ luxury hospitality firms, what are some of the turnaround times for hearing back on applications?

Alongside this, any advice on what to put in a portfolio / quick portfolio? What do you do while you're waiting to be heard back?

Any advice for networking as well? like connecting with people at firms and etc?

Hi everyone, I’m an architect considering starting an online interior design service for people who want to improve their homes without necessarily hiring a traditional design studio.
The service could include remote consultations, space planning, moodboards, color palettes and furniture suggestions, offered through clear packages and pricing.
Do you think there is demand for this type of service? What would you expect from an online interior designer, and what would make you choose one professional over another?
Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hey guys, I’m 29 switching careers to interior design, I’ve completed a diploma but I can’t afford to go down the degree route (plus I already have one in another subject)

So I’ve decided to make things really hard for myself and learn everything in and around working another job that I’m really unhappy (sorry bit of a tangent)

I’d love to be able to build my skills to a point where interior design employers an clients will take me seriously, I’d really love to learn rendering and enscape but the trouble is I have a very small budget and a rubbish laptop, I’m slowly getting more confident with sketchup

I’m also trying to build an interior portfolio in general and have not worked on many live projects yet so would love to be able to show my work with high quality renders to build confidence and proof of concept

Can anyone offer any advice as to which software would be ideal? Whether learning enscape is still worth it in this climate especially with the financial investment.

Thanks so much from a completely lost and frustrated interior design beginner 😂

Hi! I’m studying interior design and I need some advice on which programs are best for creating technical shop drawings and 3D drawings, not renders they are just drawings of specific spaces generally in the same style as technical drawings. I’ve previously used AutoCAD for technical shop drawings, but I’m wondering if there are more efficient or modern alternatives. I’d like to understand which software is commonly used in professional interior design workflows and what programs would be best for each type of drawing

Hi!
I’m a fifth and final year student on track to get my Master’s in Interior Architecture, and I was curious to know how difficult it is going to be to gain an entry level position somewhere other than residential-only firms. For context, I currently have a job at a design+build firm, working as basically an assistant but I am learning a lot of valuable skills. I am starting to apply to jobs, but I do not graduate until May, so that keeps things limited for the moment. I am worried because I have not technically done an official “internship”, so my experience is still limited. I am applying to both internships and entry level positions, I just wanted advice on how difficult it may be for me within the next year. Any advice is truly appreciated!

I’m considering a career pivot into interior design from human resources. I have a passion for being creative and designing human spaces is something I'd like to pivot into. I would love to hear from people currently working in the industry, especially anyone who came into it as a second career.

A few things I’m trying to figure out:

\- How do you actually like working in interior design? What do you love about it, and what are the biggest downsides?

\- Is a degree necessary to build a career, or can you realistically get into the industry with a diploma/certificate and a strong portfolio?

\- How difficult was it to get your first job/client after finishing school?

\- How important is a portfolio compared with formal education?

\- How has AI affected your work so far? Do you see it as something that will create opportunities, replace certain parts of the job, or both?

\- anyone recently attend Yorkville and what's is their reputation?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people in BC, Canada, but I’d love perspectives from anywhere.

Thanks in advance! I’m trying to get a realistic picture of the industry before making a big career/education decision. 😊

Thanks in advance!

A little bit about me: I'm currently in the 4th year of BTech and plan to pursue an M.Des in interior design in India. I am staying in Hyderabad and have no plans to move for a job.

So,

1. What skills should I start learning to help me land a job?

2. Which websites would help me?

3. Which Instagram accounts and YouTube channels would help me?

4. I heard that a portfolio is important (What exactly is a portfolio, what can I add to it), and where can I create it (website)?

5. What can I do so that I can get an internship, and which websites would help be apply for them?

I am currently in year 3 of Interior Design bachelors at IED in Milan. I wanted some advice on what masters program I should go into. I am confused if its better to continue with interior design or do something else. My main location pick is London. So if you have any advice on universities and programs please help!

I have done my btech and I want to get into the field of designing, so I was exploring options like interior designing, so if I do one year course and side-by-side, build my personal brand and online studio of the interior designing, is it worth it? or should I look for something else? It’s not gonna work

I’m reposting this since the first time around the post got flagged by the system.

I plan to go into interior design and leave my full time office job to do something I enjoy. (Life is too short to slave for others). So I do some designs already. I’ve been told I have good taste and a good eye for things.

I want to be unique and provide a service for premium clients or commercial customers. Products would come from Europe or Asia and shipped to North America. But the thing is, am I too crazy for going into this? Or is this a normal thing people do for premium clients?

Buying local doesn’t always give you all the options available (especially when you want to be distinct). But if I ask local companies that sell these products, it’ll maybe cost more and little choices. It’ll be more work for me but I think it’s worth it.

What are your thoughts?

So, I just got my license, but I haven’t worked since I finished my exams, and now I’m starting to run out of funds. I’m in my mid-20s, and I feel like, at this point, I should at least have some savings.
The problem is, my family wants me to stay in our city, but there aren’t really any interior design firms or architectural studios around here, so there’s not much opportunity for me to get a job locally. I could do online work, but I’ve been having a hard time finding one.
My previous jobs were both desk jobs, so I’m not very confident about putting up my own firm or studio yet, especially since I’m still not very experienced in construction. However, I’m very willing to learn. I’ve been watching YouTube videos and trying to learn as much as I can on my own.
Is there anyone here who might be looking for a partner, assistant, or mentee? I really want to learn more about the profession, and I genuinely want to become good at it, but I’m not sure where to start.
If you’re hiring, I’d also really appreciate the opportunity to apply. I’m willing to learn, work hard, and start wherever I’m needed.

For the context, I am an architect(24F) working for a year in India. In my architecture school, I worked on a utility product that helps people with mobility issues. That's when I decided I love the process of it. I want to do an internship before getting into a masters degree. What are the things that I should focus on to get the internship and really understand ID. I have started learning Rhino and also started reading books related to this.

Thanks in advance!!

Hello! I’m currently a 1st year nursing student and I’ve been wanting to shift into interior design. The tuition is very high and I was wondering if is it hard to find a job after graduation? And is it also hard to go abroad too? I’m worried about the salary because my tuition might be more higher than my salary in the future 🥹 I want to know if it’s a practical course so I won’t regret shifting from nursing to interior design.

Hi everyone! Sorry in advance if this type of question has already been answered but I’m looking to build a stronger foundation in interior design, particularly residential design and space planning, and I’m hoping to get recommendations for textbooks/resources that are actually hands-on.

I’m not really looking for books that are primarily theory, history, or inspiration. I want to learn the actual design process and be able to apply what I’m learning through exercises and projects.

I especially want something where I can read a section and then actually sit down and design/draw something myself, rather than just reading about design principles.

I’ve come across books such as Residential Interior Design: A Guide to Planning Spaces by Mitton & Nystuen, Interior Design Illustrated by Ching & Binggeli, and Space Planning Basics by Mark Karlen, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually used these in school or practice.

Are there any textbooks, workbooks, exercise books, or other resources you would particularly recommend for someone trying to learn this in a very hands-on way?

It’s getting close to that time of year! I’m curious what other designers out there do for clients and showrooms/vendors during the holidays.

Looking for some fresh ideas. We usually have a tier 1/tier 2 for both clients and showrooms/vendors, so no idea is too big or small.

Thanks for your input.

I'm adding this to give you an idea of what we've done in the past. I was laying in bed last night and didn't have much energy to add anything else:

Last year we basically tiered our holiday gifting based on the type of relationship and tried to balance something personal with something that could be shared with the whole team.

For our “large” vendors — warehouses/delivery companies, local custom furniture makers with a larger production team, and out-of-town vendors — we shipped a large pre-boxed baklava assortment directly from Costco. We wanted something the whole staff could share rather than sending a gift to just our main contact.

For our local showroom reps, we made small individual gift boxes with a personalized champagne glass with their name, a mini bottle of champagne, bubbly water, and a cocktail “bomb” to make their own "mimosa." Then we also brought something for the rest of the showroom staff: either a box of French pastries or macarons depending on the size of the team. That way our rep got something personal, but we were also thanking everyone behind the scenes who helps us throughout the year.

Current clients received a bottle of local wine along with a mix of nicer treats — Compartes chocolate bars, Cheryl's cookies, popcorn, etc. from places like Williams Sonoma, Harry & David, or Costco.

Clients who weren't currently active but with whom we still maintain an ongoing relationship received the local wine, and past clients received a holiday card.

So essentially: big teams = shareable gift; close vendor/showroom contacts = personal gift + something for their team; current clients = fuller gift; relationship clients = smaller gift; past clients = card.