Now recognized as one of the most fast-paced industries, interior designing runs at a breakneck speed. The trends keep changing. The practices used before are no longer in use.
With new technology being introduced at a road runner’s speed every year, this industry continues evolving! It is hard to keep up with the ever-changing nature of it, and as a result, interior designers need to sharpen their skills and knowledge. If you are someone looking forward to catching up, here are eight tips you need to follow for a successful career ahead:
1. Embrace Technology
Technology changes within a blink of an eye. Today, it presents several opportunities for interior designers to run their ideas through the client in modern ways! For example, Styldod’s 3D architectural rendering technology is a groundbreaking technique to communicate the real feel of a house to your clients more effectively.
3D model walkthroughs have taken over and are in debate to replace the traditional drawing presentations. Hence, to become future-ready, a designer needs to embrace what technology brings to the table!
2. Be Courageous
The industry works on your client’s likes and dislikes. It is not possible for them to love everything that you showcase. This is where you are required to develop a thick skin. Someone not accepting your creative point of view does not indicate that you should stop being innovative.
A rejected idea does not mean you are a bad designer. It only shows that your client is not looking for what is presented. Learn from it, do not get discouraged, and continue to work even better!
3. Stay Inspired
Taking inspiration is what keeps the mind alive! Your job is intact on the fine thread of creativity. To keep the spark alive, you should never dampen your knowledge of integrating innovation into practicality.
Everything you feel, touch, see or hear brings inspiration in one way or another. Keep looking for design inspirations!
4. Understand a Space
While it is important to be creative with a client’s space, a designer must work on making it functional. No successful interior designer can thrive solely on imagination. You need to bring ingenuity by developing design concepts based on clients’ requirements. A big part of a successful project relies on your ability to make a space operational.
Create designs while keeping functionality in mind. Although aesthetic should be a priority, the operational quality should not suffice!
5. Explore Diverse Styles
An interior designer needs to be well-versed in various styles, techniques, and aesthetics available. Having a signature style or a personal preference is essential, but you cannot fill every blank canvas in the same manner!
What the client wants is what they get. Some spaces need geometric designs, while some may suit more in a retro atmosphere. Hence, having a knowledge of different styles is necessary to give clients what suits their needs the best!
6. Coordinate Projects
Drawing and choosing materials are not the only tasks of an interior designer. Organizing and coordinating a project for its successful completion is also a big part of your job! From designing to reaching the end results, there is a lot to being a designer.
You need to ensure that the concept in your head translates well in practical life. This requires immense teamwork and organizational skills. Start taking the initiative to run a project without any hurdles.
7. Update Yourself
Your knowledge of the field you are working in should be impeccable. This does not mean only possessing the historical information. It also includes being aware of current events in the industry, new inventions, latest projects, achievements, emerging practices, award winners, competitors, etc. Keep an eye out for changing political events, economies, and scientific discoveries that will affect you in one way or another.
8. Communicate
Communication plays a major role in becoming successful. If you want to grow, you need to become a part of the interior designing society and increase your connections for more opportunities.
Stay in touch with fellow designers and discuss the current scenario, demands, and ways to deal with it. You can even join online discussion forums and share knowledge with other designers over the world!
Conclusion
Thriving in a competitive environment is not a joke. It takes immense effort to adapt to newer trends and evolve with the industry! Strive to achieve consistency, follow the above tips, and adapt to changes for growth.
Author Bio:
Rahul Agarwal is the Co-founder & Chief Business Officer at Styldod, where he has taught a computer to do interior design! Styldod provides the most hassle-free & inexpensive virtual staging solutions for real estate agents so they can sell their listings faster, and for higher prices. Rahul was also a co-founder of Mebelkart (which is acquired by Ask Me). He’s your everyday IIT Kanpur nerd who pushes the boundaries with his innovative entrepreneurial stints and is also a sound startup investor & advisor. Rahul attributes his success as a professional to the discipline he has learned from his district hockey days, being a swimmer and a gym enthusiast.