Design Consultant vs. Interior Designer: What Are the Differences?

A career in design can be both creative and rewarding. If you’re interested in working in this field, you may be wondering whether you should become a design consultant or an interior designer. Both of these positions require creativity, but they have different responsibilities. In this article, we compare and contrast these two design jobs, and we provide information to help you decide which one is right for you.

What is a Design Consultant?

Design Consultants work with clients to create functional and visually appealing spaces. They assess a client’s needs and preferences, then create a design plan that meets those needs. Design Consultants may specialize in a particular type of design, such as kitchen or bathroom design. They often work with contractors and other professionals to ensure that the design plan is executed correctly and within the client’s budget. Design Consultants may also be responsible for selecting furniture, fixtures and accessories for the space. They present their design plans to clients for approval and make revisions as necessary.

What is an Interior Designer?

Interior Designers plan and design the interiors of homes, offices, restaurants, hotels and other commercial and residential buildings. They select furniture, fabrics, lighting, flooring and wall coverings to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Interior Designers often work with architects and builders to ensure that their designs are executed properly. They may also be responsible for project management, which includes budgeting, scheduling and coordinating with subcontractors. Some Interior Designers also offer home staging services to help prepare properties for sale.

Design Consultant vs. Interior Designer

Here are the main differences between a design consultant and an interior designer.

Job Duties

Design consultants help clients by providing them with ideas for their projects. They do this by researching the client’s needs and the project’s requirements, then suggesting design options that meet those needs. Interior designers carry out these duties in addition to managing the implementation of the designs they create. An interior designer may manage a team of employees or contractors who install and maintain the designs. Both professions perform similar duties related to creating and implementing designs for buildings and spaces.

Job Requirements

Design consultants typically need a bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture or another related field. Some designers also pursue a master’s degree to gain more knowledge and skills in the field. Additionally, many states require designers to be licensed before they can start working with clients. To become licensed, designers must pass an exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). The NCIDQ offers two different exams: the first is for entry-level designers, and the second is for experienced designers who want to earn the title of “Registered Interior Designer.”

Interior designers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in interior design, although some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree. Many interior design programs are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), which sets educational standards for the profession. In addition to their degree, designers must also pass the NCIDQ exam to become licensed.

Work Environment

Design consultants and interior designers both work in a variety of environments. Design consultants may travel to different locations for their projects, such as hotels or restaurants, but they also work in offices where they meet with clients and collaborate on ideas. Interior designers typically work in an office environment, although some may have the opportunity to work on-site during renovations. They often work long hours and weekends to ensure that projects are completed on time.

Skills

Both design consultants and interior designers need to have excellent communication skills. This is important because they will often be working with clients to discuss their needs and wants for a project. They also need to be able to understand the client’s vision and translate it into a design that meets their expectations.

Both design consultants and interior designers also need to have strong visualization skills. This helps them create designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional. Additionally, both of these professionals need to have strong problem-solving skills. This is important because they often have to find creative solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.

One key difference between design consultants and interior designers is that design consultants typically work on a variety of projects, while interior designers usually focus on one specific type of project. For example, an interior designer may specialize in residential design, while a design consultant may work on both residential and commercial projects. Additionally, interior designers typically have more formal training than design consultants.

Salary

Interior designers earn an average salary of $60,651 per year, while design consultants earn an average salary of $63,902 per year. Both of these average salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.