A degree in interior design will equip you with the specific creative and technical skills you'll need to succeed in the field

Job options

Jobs directly relevant to your degree include:

• Interior and spatial designer
• Exhibition designer
• Production designer, theatre/TV/film
• Visual merchandiser

Jobs where your degree may be useful include:

• Architect
• Architectural technologist
• Estates manager
• Furniture designer
• Graphic designer
• Product designer
• Stylist
• Textile designer

Work experience

Gaining relevant work experience shows employers that you can use your skills and knowledge in a professional environment. It also demonstrates that you are proactive, motivated and committed to a career in this field.

Contact companies that you would be interested in working for such as interior design and architectural firms, design consultancies, construction companies, visual merchandising departments and theatres to ask whether you could undertake a placement with them.

Entry-level jobs within the same types of company will give an insight into the context in which the company operates and enable you to make contacts. For instance, a shop assistant job may build your knowledge of the retail industry and enable you to forge links with the visual merchandising team.

Taking part in live briefs, entering competitions and attending exhibitions can provide valuable learning experiences. There are likely to be opportunities to do this through your university, so find out what is available.

Typical employers

Any company that create spaces for people to live, shop, work and be entertained is a potential interior design employer. This includes:

• architectural firms and construction companies
• interior design companies
• exhibition centres and events management companies
• consultancies offering a wide portfolio of design services
• retailers
• theatre, TV or film companies.

You may work in-house or for consultancies that provide services to a range of external clients.

Working on a freelance basis is fairly typical, although full-time, permanent roles do exist

Typical employers

Any company that create spaces for people to live, shop, work and be entertained is a potential interior design employer. This includes:

• architectural firms and construction companies
• interior design companies
• exhibition centres and events management companies
• consultancies offering a wide portfolio of design services
• retailers
• theatre, TV or film companies.

You may work in-house or for consultancies that provide services to a range of external clients.

Working on a freelance basis is fairly typical, although full-time, permanent roles do exist

Skills for your CV

An interior design degree gives you specialist skills in drawing techniques, concept development, computer visualisation, multimedia, graphic design and model-making.

It also allows you to develop transferable skills that are valued by a range of employers. These include research skills, creative thinking, presentation and communication skills, organisational skills, team working and IT proficiency.