Interior Designer
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Interior designers and interior decorators conceptualize and produce aesthetic, functional and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings. They are employed by architectural and interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies, hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant chains, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.(National Occupational Classification)
Interior designers are concerned with general and detailed planning, spatial arrangements, health and safety issues, detailing, constructability and technical considerations (for example, lighting and acoustics) as well as the aesthetics of a space. They are more involved with technical considerations than interior decorators are. Decorators focus on the ornamental and moveable aspects of interiors (colour, furniture, rugs, drapery) and fixed details (for example, moldings) that easily can be added to an existing space. (alis)
This profile is focused on Interior Designers. To learn about Interior Decorators and other related occupations, please select the links to the right.
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online - U.S. resource for occupational descriptions and information
- OCCinfo from alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- Sustainable Interior Designer - career profile from ECO Canada
- A Day in the Life of an Interior Designer - The Princeton Review
- Sokanu: Interior Designer - occupational information and videos
- Difference between Interior Design & Interior Decorating - The Spruce
- UMToday profile: The Evolution of Thom - U of M alumnus and furniture designer
Education
The University of Manitoba offers a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design (option/stream in Interior Environments), as well as a fully accredited Master's degree in Interior Design.
U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.
Exploring Other Education Options
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis - Job Market Report (Winnipeg region) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for the U.S.
- Occupational Projection for Canada 2017-2026 - from the Government of Canada
- I want to be an interior designer. What will my salary be? - The Globe & Mail
- Article: Interior Designers of Canada Unveils 2014 Salary & Fees Survey for Canadian Interior Design Industry - from IDC
- OpportuNext - salary range and job growth prospects - Manitoba
Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available: engage, learn and network!
- Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba (PIDIM)
- Interior Designers of Canada (IDC)
- Become an Interior Designer
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
- American Society of Interior Design (U.S)
- International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
- International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
- Directory of Interior Designers - from IDC's Findinteriordesigners.org
- Interior Designers of Canada - industry members list
- Registry of Members and Firms - from the Manitoba Association of Architects
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
Other links
These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience: