Product Description

If you're embarking upon a career in interior design, here's a highly visual overview of the profession, with in-depth material on educational requirements, design specialties, finding a job, and the many directions a career in interior design can take. Featuring informative interviews with working designers, this Second Edition includes updated educational requirements and a list of accredited interior design programs in the United States and Canada.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #119457 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From the Inside Flap

The profession of interior design has received a lot of media attention in recent years, whether it's on the many "home makeover" shows or in the movies. The reality is, interior design in the twenty-first century is much more than selecting colors and arranging furniture. Today's interior designer is a multifaceted professional, with expertise in building and safety codes, project management, designing for seniors, sustainable design, and other important areas that require increased skill and training.

If you have a vision for creating the interior spaces of residential or commercial buildings, Becoming an Interior Designer is the first step to a successful career. More than a how-to book for finding a job, this helpful guide is a road map to the early stages of forming a lifelong career and finding your special niche in this burgeoning field.

This Second Edition of Becoming an Interior Designer will prepare you for entering and succeeding in the interior design field. It covers all aspects of getting into the industry, including updated information on the following:

• Licensing and certification

• The newest educational requirements, with a helpful list of accredited interior design programs in the United States and Canada

• Professional tips on portfolio preparation

• Discussion of work environments—from home office to large firms

• Advice for finding clients and boosting revenue

• Helpful guidance on managing a successful career

• Photos of projects by professional interior designers from all major design specialties

The author interviewed nearly 100 professionals in the field who share their personal insights to help you discover what the interior design profession is really like.

With everything you need to start your journey, Becoming an Interior Designer, Second Edition will be your launch pad for a long and successful career in interior design.

From the Back Cover

Here is the completely updated guide to today's interior design careers—a clear and concise survey of the interior design field covering:

• History of the profession

• Educational preparation

• Interviews with designers

• Certification and licensing

• The design process

• Where the jobs are

• Owning your own firm

• Design specialties

• Residential

• Commercial

• Sustainable design

• Corporate

• Hospitality

• Retail

• Healthcare

• Institutional

• Entertainment

• Restoration and adaptive use

"Becoming an Interior Designer is the go-to book for an inside look at the profession of interior design today. The advice from a broad range of practitioners and educators about the professional requirements and business of interior design make it an invaluable tool for those contemplating an interior design career. The added bonus is Christine's ability to draw out from her interviewees the common passion for improving quality of life, which is a rarely referenced quality of a successful interior designer."
—Suzan Globus, FASID, LEED AP,

2007 ASID National President

About the Author

Christine M. Piotrowski, FASID, IIDA, of Phoenix, Arizona, provides consulting services on business practices to interior designers. A former professor of interior design at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Christine has more than twenty-five years of interior design experience. She is the author of several books on interior design, including Designing Commercial Interiors, Second Edition and the bestselling Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Fourth Edition, both from Wiley.

Customer Reviews

Excellent for Students of Design
This book is an excellent source of information for those interested in becoming designers and those already studying interior design. This book explains commerical design well and gives truthful information on what potential employers will expect from a design education. If you are serious about becoming an interior designer, read this book - so you will be completely informed on this fun and dynamic profession. It is not decorating!

Great Introduction to the Field
I purchased this book for my high school aged daughter who in interested in a career in interior design. The book is ideal for someone like her. It provides a good overview of the design process, design specialties (residential, commercial, hospitality, etc), educational preparation required, where jobs are, and general business aspects of the field. A defining feature of this book is that author includes several interviews with people in the field asking practical questions such as "How did you become an interior designer?", "What is the greatest challenge of your work?", "What is the single most important skill an Interior Designer needs to be successful?", "How important is Interior Design education/Certification in today's industry?", "What do you look for in Hiring a new designer?", etc. This aspect allows the reader to hear from several real people rather than just getting a dry Occupational Outlook view. The interview responses are practical, sobering (you realize how much work it is!) and inspiring. Just right for helping someone make an informed choice.
My only knock against this book is that at $23 it is a bit pricey for a paperback with only black and white photos. It strikes me more as a $15 book. I might look for a used copy. That said, it has been very valuable and I would buy it again.

An Interest In Interior Design
I recently read Becoming an Interior Designer by Christine Piotrowski, ASID, IIDA, for a critical analysis paper in my english class at OSU. After reading it, I would agree that interior design is more complex than the average person might assume. Throughout this selection, Piotrowski discusses the types of design, the changes in the profession over time, and the educational preparation to gain a better understanding of the career overall. This informative "how-to" book discusses commercial and residential areas of interior design and what is important to know in order to become successful in the rapidly growing field. In her attempt at writing an educational book, Piotrowski uses techniques, variety, and tips that ultimately reveal to readers whether this career is suitable for them. This book is best for anyone who is interested in the field and is looking for a quick light read. I found the book to be repetitive, not necessarily intellectually challenging, but a fun read that can either discourage or encourage one to follow their dream to become an interior designer. So if one has the desire to learn more about this book check out this guide to careers in design.