Got what it takes to be a designer?

So, you've watched Design Star and now you want to be a designer. Do you have what it takes? Most designers will tell you that it starts first with Passion- you have to have a passion for design. You will never make it without a passion for the business. Got passion?

OK, next is Education - go to school and earn a degree in Interior Design. I did a lot of research on many schools and their programs. Then when I had found two schools I was considering, I called the top designers in the area and asked them for their opinions on the schools and their programs and if they were going to hire someone, which school education would they prefer. All the designers I called were more than happy to give me their input and I chose my school. Education is key!

Experience! Obviousely, you will need experience. How do you get experience? With an internship - preferably two internships. Some internships are paid. My design program required two internships and I decided that "where" I interned was more important than if it was a paid internship. I also decided to explore two of three design areas.

The three areas of design are Residential, Hospitality and Commercial design. Residential is working with Homeowners. Hospitality is vast and includes Hotels, Hospitals, Restaurants, Casinos. Commercial includes Office Space, Retail Space, Corporate Space.

I chose Hospitality as my first internship and joined NEWH (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality) through this networking organization I met a lady who owned Interior Design International a hospitality design firm in Seattle. I was able to eventually hire on as an intern which led to a full time paid position. The second internship was with two well established interior designers that shared an office space in the Seattle Design Center building. They were awesome designers that taught me a lot! Internships are a great way to get experience!