Looking for career change into designing.

[Kerrytravelers]

I'll make this real brief. I have a BA in Journalism, a CLAD teaching credential and a MAsters in Writing, so I'm not looking to return to college. And, we can't afford more student loans. But after teaching for a few years, I really want out.

I have always loved interior design and love to fix our home. I watch the shows and go to Design Center and other stores frequented by designers in the LA area. I am sure this is what I want.

What should I do to make this career change? I am willing to earn a certificate or an AA. Any advice?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Well now ........

There's really far, far more to discuss than can fit in several DU threads. And I assume you mean interior design.

Here are some ***very*** broad, brief highlights .....

There are interior designers and interior decorators. Decorators hang curtains and pick wallpaper. Interior designers are credentialed professionals and are often also registered architects.

Furniture and accessory stores employ 'interior decorators'. I put the term in quotes because these people often are untrained and just have an eye or a yen or a hobby that they turn into a job. Not to put them down, but they are, essentially, the bottom of the barrel. That's not to say that any one of them might not be enormously talented.

Usually interior designers are trained at the college level in the arts, in architecture, and the color sciences. They study textiles and glass, and lots more.

Then there are all the other 'designers'.

I'm a designer of commercial kitchens. I have no formal training in this specific niche of design, but neither does anyone else as no one on earth teaches it. most of my colleagues came to the profession by one of two paths .... they either worked in the food service business or they worked in the foodservice equipment business. A very few have degrees in architecture or engineering. Most of us have degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management or in the Culinary Arts.

Set designers (theatrical) have credentials similar to those of interior designers, but many are there by virtue of pure talent and lots of good breaks. Some of them move over to pure interior design.

If you're interested in more .... and there's soooooo much more ..... send me a PM and we can figure out how to connect so as to discuss it outside the constraints of a computer message board.

Good luck!

[Kerrytravelers]

2. Thank you so much.

I am the paint and furniture kind of decorator. I certainly don't see myself as an archetich at this point in my life. I would certaily be willing, in a few years, to rturn to a university and continue my education, but I'd like to pay down my first three degrees first. :)

I guess I'd like to get certificated and paid for what I do for free now with my friends and family.

Thanks so much for the adive. I will PM you.

kt

[lukasahero]

3. Hey Husb2Sparkly - any advice for my husband looking to move

into the field? He's a burned out software developer and has an outstanding eye for design. He's interested in the field but doesn't have any idea what the education requirements, job opportunities, etc are. He also thinks he's "too old" (at 56) to make a move.

You mention the "bottom of the barrel" folks at retail outlets. Is it possible to start there and move on to greener pastures? How does one get a job even at the bottom with no experience in the field? (Would a portfolio help?)

Any insight, info you could offer would be most appreciative.

(PS - I am all for him making the move and can compensate for the drop in his salary a move like this would likely entail - at least until I burn out of software development and get a job at the local nursery - in about 10 years!)

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Yes, it is possible to move up from there

That job would become your 'portfolio' for future work.

As for education ..... for serious work, the committment's steep for someone in our age group (I'm 58). There are interior design curricula at the college level. But also things like fine arts count a lot. Unlike architecture, which is a five year professional curriculum, interior design (not interior decorating) is less formal. There are many with no degrees. Just lots of work experience. Sorta like my field ..... there is no licensing requirement in most places, so the need for education is less stringent. Architects on the other hand are licensed professionals and cannot practice without one.

[NMDemDist2]

5. look into office furniture stores too. I used to lay out "cubes" for a

company that sold office furniture. it was a great learning experience in space usage and gave me an intro to the software that lays out rooms.

some were very straight forward, some took quite a bit of "creativity" to use the space well.....