4th January 2022 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID ShareTweetPinterestLinkedIn An interior design degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge for a career in the industry. It will open a lot of doors for you and provide you with a multitude of pathways to take. If you’re considering applying for an interior design course or nearing the end of your degree, you may be wondering what you can do after graduation. Here we’ll discuss the options you will have once you have achieved your qualification. Jobs you could consider Interior designer Interior and spatial designers are involved in the design of indoor spaces including structural alterations, furnishings, fixtures, lighting and colour schemes. This can involve a wide range of commercial, domestic or leisure projects depending on your design specialism – using your knowledge and experience to combine the efficient and functional use of a space with the creative vision and understanding of aesthetics. You’ll regularly be required to work to a design brief to bring a client’s vision to life. The role of an interior designer is wide ranging, however it often requires you to communicate well and project manage the procurement process, create mood boards and develop design schemes, produce detailed CAD visualisations and give client presentations, as well as supervise the construction work and liaise with supply chains until the project comes together. As a junior designer, your starting salary would be between £18,000 to £23,000 with senior designers earning as much as £45,000 to £75,000+. Visual merchandiser As a visual merchandiser, you would create and implement visual concepts to promote brands, services and products often within a retail space. This can be in-store, in catalogues or online – you may even work with museums and galleries to create visual concepts for their events. You’ll work with clients as part of a company or on a freelance or consultant basis. Other tasks may include discussing sales strategies, researching the current and future design trends and ensuring the project stays on budget. The salary for assistant visual merchandisers starts between £12,000 and £18,000 and those working at director or international levels can earn between £45,000 and £60,000 per annum. Production designer If you’re also interested in film and television and have a flair for visual creativity, a production designer is a great career choice. Production designers are responsible for the visual concept of a film or tv production including props, set designs, location, camera angles, graphics, lighting and costume, working closely with the director and producer. A production designer must source materials, scout for locations and monitor design budgets. Often you will need to start in a low level position as an assistant or runner. Average salaries start small, with the opportunity to earn much more as a senior production designer. Other careers to consider Architect Exhibition designer Architectural technologist Estates manager Graphic designer Interior decorator or stylist The Society of British and International Interior Design supports professional interior design careers and helps students get a head start in their professional development with free SBID Student Membership for recognised and accredited courses. With a global network of accredited design professionals, we promote, regulate and protect the profession and act as a springboard into the commercial world for the next generation of trained designers. Take a look at our directory of designers to see the kind of career you could lead with an interior design degree. Cover image credits: Fogarty Finger – Dock 72 at Brooklyn Navy Yard Lobby