Careers | Interior design | About design

There are various routes into a career in interior design ranging from architecture and interior studies through to courses in furniture or 3D design. Here's how three very different interior designers got where they are today.

How I got where I am today...

Stephan Oberwegner

Stephan is part of the team at Max Bentheim Interior Design which specialises in interior solutions for the high-end residential and hospitality industries

Where did you study?

University of the Arts London/Central St Martins

What did you study?

3D Design/Interior Design BA (a three-year long accelerated course)

What did you learn on the course?

My course was very conceptual and dreamy with a heavy emphasis on creativity and non-restrictive thinking

What would be your recommended route into interior design?

Ideally, a BA course that offers a one-year industry placement. That way you get very valuable ‘on the job’ studio experience to complement your creative skills. A firm is much more likely to take you on if you have had this experience as you will be able to get involved straight away rather than be the office bum for the first year!

Do you think it's important to get some architectural training?

I think it is vital to understand architectural principles in order to be a good interior designer. Material, detail and building knowledge is very important. A good basic knowledge should be a prerequisite for any student leaving college or university

What's the most enjoyable aspect of the work you do?

Developing the brief with the client, preparing presentations and getting the job on site and finished within the time scale and budget! But mostly when the client is happy and comes back for more

www.maxbentheim.com

How I got where I am today...

Simon Ash

Simon Ash is an interior designer at design company Brinkworth in London where he works on a range of commercial interior projects

Where did you study?

West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham and Middlesex University

What did you study?

I did a one-year foundation course at West Surrey College, then a four-year BA in Interior Design at Middlesex

What did you learn on the course?

The foundation course was an excellent opportunity to experiment with various disciplines, materials and ideas. The BA taught me above all else to question everything! Ideas, concepts, details...The best part of the course was the chance to carry out a full year’s placement in a professional practice – immensely valuable.

What would be your recommended route into interior design?

Probably a mirror of the route I chose. My recommendation would be to choose a course that offered a full year’s work placement. You're already ahead of the rest when you finish your degree and the confidence you have when returning for your final year is immense.

Do you think it's important to get some architectural training?

Not necessarily. Your interest in the subject and enthusiasm should guide you to seek the knowledge you will require. A good mentor in a professional practice should be all you need. That said, additional training is never a bad thing.

What's the most enjoyable aspect of what you do?

Seeing ideas, designs and concepts come to fruition and problem solving. Being able to access/survey interesting sites before anyone else is also great.

www.brinkworth.co.uk

How I got where I am today...

Debra McQuin

Debra McQuin worked as an executive in the advertising industry before retraining as an interior designer and setting up her own company which specialises in high-end residential projects.

Where did you study?

I studied at KLC School of Design.

What did you study and for how long?

I studied Interior Decoration, which included modules on history of design and professional practice. I took a full-time certificate course which lasted 10 weeks.

What did you learn on the course?

The most important new skill I learned was technical drawing. I also refined my skills in space planning and developing interior schemes.

What would be your recommended route into interior design?

I don’t think there’s any one route in. Most of the people I studied with were 'career changers', as was I. We all brought different backgrounds and skills to our new interior design careers. What I think matters most is that interior design should be your passion. Everyone thinks being an interior designer is about creativity, but that’s only one part of the job. There are two other things that are essential: being able to listen to clients and translate what they want into reality (which is not always easy when they have trouble articulating it themselves) and knowing how to run a business.

Do you think it's important to get some architectural training?

Not unless you want to be an architect. It’s helpful to have knowledge of the building/construction process and space planning is a critical part of our business. But what an architect does is highly specialised. If I need architectural skills on a job I hire an architect. Having said that, understanding how a space is going to be used and suggesting the best layout and flow of that space is something an interior designer can often do just as well as an architect.

What's the most enjoyable aspect of the work you do?

I love exploring design possibilities – searching out and finding new materials, fabrics, and furniture for a project. There are so many beautiful things out there that I never have to use the same thing twice!

www.mcquinpartnership.com