Being an interior designer requires more than just the ability to create an appealing design. You, and everyone else at your design firm, need to have a balance of both hard skills and soft skills. Developing a diverse set of skills is important not only for helping you in your career growth, but also in being able to satisfy your clients.
The only problem is, most designers are missing key skills because they weren’t taught them! Ask anyone who attended design school about what they wish they learned, and it will range from dealing with clients to knowing how to track business finances.
What are Hard Skills and Soft Skills?
Hard skills and soft skills are both important, but they are both very different.
Hard skills are the kinds of skills that you’ll tend to see high up on a resume. They are technical, teachable, and will come up often in your day-to-day work. Soft skills are interpersonal and communication skills. They affect how you interact with coworkers and clients and how you approach creative tasks.
Developing a healthy mixture of both types of skills will make you a versatile designer who is enjoyable to work with!
Essential Hard Skills for Interior Designers
CAD & Visualization Software
Different interior design firms will use different software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, or some other 3D design and rendering software. Proficiency in at least one of these tools will get you far when seeking a new job, but is also essential for working in the field at all. However, these programs will update over time, and new software will come out, so it’s important to maintain your knowledge of emerging technology.
Materials and Color Theory
Knowledge of materials, textures, and finishes gives you a mental library to reference when trying to find the perfect look for a space. It’s also important to understand the psychology of color and how to coordinate colors. Much about color comes down to a science, and established structure. You can make unique choices around color that break the rules, but only once you fully understand them!
Budgeting and Project Management
Unless your team has a dedicated person in charge of budget and project management, designers should understand how to handle these tasks. It’s important to be able to provide an estimate of both cost and project duration to clients, as these numbers can make or break a job. Not only should you be able to provide an accurate estimation, but you should also be able to adapt to unexpected changes and make decisions that help keep the project on schedule and within scope.
Marketing Skills
As an interior design business owner, you may find that when you’re starting out, all of the marketing falls on your shoulders. That means that to get clients, you should have at least a basic understanding of marketing principles and some tactics you can use to get your name out there.
Essential Soft Skills for Interior Designers
Communication
An interior designer should be able to communicate effectively. This is important for conveying details to clients, but also for working smoothly with other designers on the team. Communication is not just about talking, though. You also need to be a good listener. Understand client needs and concerns, and make them feel heard.
Creativity and Problem-Solving
Creativity is an obvious key skill to possess in any creative field. You must be able to craft a unique and interesting design and personalize each space to client needs. Your creativity will set you apart. But you also need to use your creativity to solve issues that arise, and handle unexpected challenges. You can’t quantify creativity, so when applying to a design job or pitching a client, the decision will often come down to whether your style and ability to adapt mesh with the expectations and desires of the firm or client.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is an often asked-for trait on a job posting, and for good reason. Especially in a deeply personal field like interior design, every detail matters. This extends from tangible details like precise measurements to less tangible ones like catching mistakes before they become problems. A designer with a keen attention to detail will excel at the little things, the finishing touches, and making sure the project is completed properly.
Time Management and Organization
To an extent, time management and organization can be taught and honed, but some people’s personalities and work styles lend themselves well to these soft skills. Time management covers the ability to balance multiple projects with various deadlines, and to get the work done on time. Organization can cover how efficient your workflow is, which directly relates to how well you use your time. However, organization is subjective! Each person has their own organization method that helps them. But designers should also be able to adapt to how a firm or client prefers things to be organized and find a solution that works for everyone.
Developing Your Skills
If you are lacking in any of these critical areas, that’s fine! You can always learn new skills, whether they be soft or hard skills. Soft skills may be harder to learn, as they require a desire to change your mindset and your natural impulses, in many cases. On-the-job experience is often the best way to improve at soft skills. Seek feedback about how you could work better with others and strive to iron out the areas where you struggle.
Hard skills can be honed through courses and workshops. Depending on the skill, you may be able to use a book, podcast, or YouTube video to learn more. But you can also use these often free resources for continuous learning, so you stay abreast of the latest changes in the field. Hard skills will often improve through on-the-job experience, as new projects will challenge you to seek out new knowledge and skills. If you network well, you may also be able to find a mentor who can guide you through the process.
Mastering hard and soft skills can be difficult, but it’s key to being a well-rounded interior designer. If you’re lacking in any areas, don’t be discouraged. Instead, always work on refining your skills so you can grow in your career and satisfy your clients. At Pearl Collective, we can help you fill in your skills gaps, especially those that design school left! If you’re interested in taking the next step in your business, book a call to see if we’re a good fit for you!