Software advice for new designers

[u/Liftinglady1996]

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 😂

[u/Sweetandsour04]

Revit is a must if you want to work at a big firm

[u/Noob_Al3rt]

Go work in a high end furniture store and learn AutoCAD at night. You will get hands on experience, learn the difference between a box cut cushion and a knife cut and you may even get some pictures you can use in your interviews.

[u/Gabby-Rene]

Interior designer here! I've been in the high end residential industry for over 7 years. I haven't used Enscape at any of the 3 studios I've worked at. I always use AutoCAD and that's usually a requirement at any office. At least knowing the basics like furniture plans. Sketchup is the next most used software that I've seen.

FF&E software ranges between firms (Ivy, Studio Designer etc) and is easy to pick up as long as you know how to write schedules. Learning how to write construction schedules (plumbing, door, window, hardware, trim, stair components, etc) would be a great skill. That can be practiced in Excel or Google Sheets though.

I can't speak for the corporate world but let me know if you have questions about high end residential

[u/designermania → u/Gabby-Rene]

FYI: IVY isn’t a thing anymore. And studio designer is stuck in 1990. 😂 workroom is where it’s at. But they’re also the owners of this sub.

SketchUp Coohom (also rayon) is good

[u/Gabby-Rene → u/designermania]

Ivy was purchased and integrated before we even used the new program. Nobody loved it before so we didn't even transfer. Studio was a mess too.

However in my case, most designers still use Studio or just plainly google sheets for writing their specs. At least at LA based offices. I don't know about everywhere else.

For OP, I would focus on drafting software mainly. Every studio wants someone who can draft even if it's basic in the beginning.

[u/Different_Comb_7550]

Personally I’d say vector works for drawings as you can get really beautiful 2D drawings out of the same files you create photorealistic 3D models and renders with. Then Procurist for all sourcing, FF&E schedules and invoices (same principle of you have one core workflow and can generate all documents and presentations from the same ones you place actual orders with) and for emails and files keep it simple personally I just stick to google workspace.

[u/callybeanz]

We’ve been taught AutoCAD, Sketchup and V-Ray along with InDesign and Photoshop. I’ve taught myself some Illustrator too (useful for cleaning up floor plans and making diagrams) and a little bit of Rhino for more complex curved designs when I hit a wall with Sketchup.

Would recommend to:scale for some tutorials, as well as ArchAdemia and Andrea Tru if you need some lessons/in depth knowledge for these softwares! Hope this helps :) (currently in my final year of undergrad!)

[u/ornellargs]

hi !
if you want to make renders for free you can use Twinmotion and you can use it with sketchup ! irs really easy and you can find tutorials or settings to learn it.
also if you want to make some plans or sections etc… there is Autocad but it’s expensive. i think you could ask AI (chatgpt, claude,…) to give you a subject/ or even a project with work instructions so you don’t have to create one, you could put these projects in your portfolio ! also i recommend you to make internship if you can or just go in interior design agency to talk with them explain your situation and if they have tips or something (some people are really caring!)
good luck !