What is an interior designer?

The definition of an interior designer may differ slightly depending on who you ask, but according to Toni Gocke Wyre, C     hair of the American Society of Interior Designers, “an interior designer is a professional who uses design through functionality, materiality, safety and building codes, and much more, to support the human experience.” So basically, they make indoor spaces functional, safe and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting both essential and decorative items for that space.

What does an interior designer do?

Understanding how a space impacts its inhabitants is the heart of an interior designer’s work. How a space makes us think, feel, and act are all important aspects of our lives, and the interior design profession has a very profound impact on our well-being. That is especially true of the areas where we spend most of our time, such as our offices and homes.

Designers work with clients to see what they want in a space, not the other way around. They do so by reflecting their client’s needs and demonstrating their values to others who enter or see their space. You might think of an interior designer as a sort of creative problem solver, social anthropologist, and experiential choreographer all in one!

What skills should an interior designer have?

Since interior designers have a wide variety of responsibilities tied to potential spaces and their respective clients, they need to be able to work alongside customers and learn to meet their everyday needs. It is important for designers to be up to date on health and safety rules, and make sure the space meets accessibility standards, at times understanding how their work fits into a broader community. Project planning often includes deadlines which need to be respected, so a small percentage of the work is design and a large percentage of what an interior designer does lies in the execution of it.

To be an interior designer, you need to be well-versed in project management, especially in project timelines. You need to be able to follow inspection regulations, understand blueprints, and meet the needs of potential clients. The design process may look different for every professional, but they will each have a very similar skillset. Many experienced designers confirm that strong interpersonal skills are an important part of the job, as well as expertise in spatial awareness, curiosity, and an appreciation for aesthetics.

How to become an interior designer in the United Arab Emirates.

Landing your dream job in interior design doesn’t have to be daunting, or necessarily linear. Many people start out in other fields and discover, then begin to explore their creativity. While there are many possible paths, experts still recommend degree programs, and in this highly competitive business, learning from a credible institute of education can provide an excellent start. Whether you opt for an associate degree, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, it is important to learn from experts in the field and build a solid foundation of education in design.

Istituto Marangoni, Dubai

In September 2022, International Design School Istituto Marangoni inaugurated its new campus in Dubai. A creative melting pot of Italian heritage, UAE tradition, and international influences, its campus is located inside the Dubai International Financial Centre, and offers a variety of undergraduate and professional courses in Fashion, and the various branches of design. All the courses are taught by the Institute’s team of professionals from Italy.

The school of design at Istituto Marangoni offers an exciting opportunity to fuse Italian expertise with local talent, with a view to shaping the future of the UAE fashion, design, and creative industries. Its strategic partnerships and international outlook make Istituto Marangoni the ideal place to develop your skills and learn from industry experts. With its unique network of international schools, Istituto Marangoni also offers enriching study abroad opportunities for students looking to broaden their horizons in every sense. We offer a wide range of design courses, the information for which can be found below

• BA in Interior Design https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/design-courses/interior-design/interior-design-817562
• Short course in Interior Design https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/design-courses/interior-design/interior-design-4

For information and advice about these and any other courses on offer, please feel free to get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to guide you.

How much does an interior designer in the UAE earn?

According to data from payscale.com, an interior designer in the United Arab Emirates can expect to earn and average salary of AED 90,648 per year.

Figure 1: average yearly salary for interior designers in UAE (payscale.com)

As the following graphic shows, the salary you can expect to earn will increase as you become more qualified and more experienced.

Figure 2: salary for interior designers according to level of experience (payscale.com)