Career Guide for Interior Designers in Los Angeles, CA

From multi-million dollar mountainside mansions to kitschy corner condos, Los Angeles has a multitude of home styles to choose from, and a prime pool of interior designers to help decorate them! This does not mean recent interior design graduates won't have plenty of opportunities. Because LA is always on the lookout for the next big thing (in just about every industry), the scene for fresh, young talent is actually fairly good. So, what does this mean for students that would like to join the California interior designers club? This means, aspiring California interior designers will enjoy one of the highest average starting salaries in the industry ($48,080 a year); above average job growth (19.5%), and more than 8,000 job openings per year.

So, what exactly does an interior designer do? For starters, interior designers design and furnish the interiors of buildings such as residential homes, retail stores and boutiques, apartments, museums, restaurants, theaters, hospitals, and more. In addition to designing the interiors of buildings from "scratch," Some interior designers make improvements to existing designs; assist an established designer on various projects, or act as consultants. Interior designers may specialize in one of three areas - residential, commercial or industrial.

Most California interior designers work full-time, but roughly 32% work part-time. 25% are self-employed. Believe it or not, federal, state, and local government entities employ the largest numbers of interior designers. In addition, government positions currently pay the highest average annual salary, $65,590/year. Management of companies and enterprises employs the second largest number of interior designers, followed by hospitals.

To become an interior designer, you should have knowledge of construction codes, a strong grasp of architectural detailing, and an understanding of home rehabbing and renovating. You must also be computer savvy and familiar with the latest computer aided design software (CAD). A bachelor's degree or higher in interior design or related field is preferred by employer's, although associate degree holder's may qualify for a few entry level positions. Around 6% of all interior designers hold a master's degree, 29.1% have a bachelor's degree, and 18.8% have an associate degree.

In the state of California, the California College of Arts (CCA) has a top-notch interior design program as well as the Art Institute of California, and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). Many traditional colleges and universities offer a Bachelor of Art degree with a concentration in interior design.

In addition to a degree in interior design, California interior designers must become certified to use the title "certified interior designer." Most California businesses or individuals will not hire an interior designer that is not certified. There are several reasons for this. Certified California interior designers have met certain education, experience and examination requirements and they have been certified by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC). The CCIDC administers the Certified Interior Designers Law under Chapter 3.9, Sect.5800 of the California Business and Professions Code. Certification by CCIDC is the highest standard of professionalism for interior designers in the State of California.

For more information about Los Angeles, CA interior designers or interior design careers in general, please visit:

College Degree Report - Interior Designers - Career, Salary & Employment Info

The California Council for Interior Design Certification - http://www.ccidc.org/index.html

The U.S Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos293.htm

College Degree Report - Interior Designer Careers: Employment & Salary Trends for Aspiring Interior Designers

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) - http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/