9 Different Types Of Interior Design Jobs With Salary Info

An interior designer is a professional who transforms and beautifies interior spaces using design elements and visual aesthetics. Interior designers handle the design plans, colour patterns, alignment of fabrics and furniture, wall designs and lighting. Interior designing can be a lucrative career option for many because the demand often increases as many homes and offices may prefer to hire them to design their workspaces. In this article, we discuss different types of interior design jobs, find out their salaries and look at the skill set required to become one.

Different types of interior design jobs

Here are a few popular and in-demand types of interior design jobs:

1. Interior decorator

National average salary: ₹26,406 per month

Primary duties: The job role of an interior decorator includes planning the aesthetics and spatial layouts of the project. An interior decorator provides suggestions to clients for decorating their residential or office spaces, recommending colour schemes, wall designs, furniture and lighting installations. The interior decorator may also independently hire a team of vendors to delegate the work and complete the project on time. Most interior decoration jobs work on a contractual basis, depending on the flow of incoming work. Many professional interior designers prefer to be self-employed and freelance, rather than taking up a full-time job.

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2. Colour consultant

National average salary: ₹19,477 per month

Primary duties: The role of a colour consultant or specialist requires creative planning and a thorough understanding of colour psychology to meet the client's aesthetic requirements. Colour consultants ensure that residential or working spaces have an atmosphere and outlook that matches the personality and energy of their occupants. They often work with design and architecture firms to prepare the budget and the colour schemes for interior design projects. Colour specialists may also work with paint companies to help clients with the personalisation of colour for home or office decoration.

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3. Retail interior designer

National average salary: ₹18,676 per month

Primary duties: Retail interior designers execute the interior designs of stores in commercial establishments like restaurants, malls and other shopping spaces. They plan and design the store layouts, product displays and colour schemes with the primary motive of making stores inviting to customers. A retail interior design job requires an understanding of spatial planning to create the store's vision within a limited space, keeping in mind the brand guidelines and architectural blueprint of the store.

A retail interior designer also has to take care of the brand's value proposition to create the appropriate retail ambience. For instance, a luxury retail store for millennials may prefer a quirky space and decor. In contrast, a clothing brand that only sells business wear may prefer a store with a classic grey or white decor to display the products. Many retail interior designers work may with specific types of brands, such as footwear, clothing and electronics.

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4. Production designer

National average salary: ₹22,207 per month

Primary duties: Production designers are a crucial part of the film and video production process as they create sets for films, dramas and videos. Based on the creative script and direction, production designers have to plan and complete the film set before the shooting begins. They coordinate with the producer, director and technical crew to ensure that the set is ready as scheduled and meets the expectations of the creative team. It is the production designer's duty to have a basic understanding of scripts, screenplay and character study to understand the nuances of the director's vision.

Production and designers have to be present during outdoor shooting sequences to supervise and inspect locations along with acquiring the relevant permits from local authorities. They need a thorough understanding of spatial design and interior decoration, aligning with the film's budget, tonality and scale. In addition, it is important for them to know about the different phases of production, cinematography, lighting, camera techniques and sound design, as the setting plays an essential role in defining the production.

5. Exhibition designer

National average salary: ₹83,878 per month

Primary duties: An exhibit designer designs the floor work, seating arrangement, displays, fitting for events or public spaces such as fashion shows, museums and art galleries. It is important for them to have an aesthetic vision that is pleasing and creates curiosity among people. For designing museum or art gallery exhibits, exhibition designers require a thorough understanding of infrastructural design. This helps them place the art and artefacts in the most suitable light and maintained under the right temperature conditions.

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6. Lighting designer

National average salary: ₹3,58,584 per year

Primary duties: Lighting designers transform the ambience of any space, such as an office, exhibition, store, home or a functional venue, with adequate and effective lighting installations. They also provide suggestions about the lighting styles, arrangements and the type of lighting installations. Light designers have to implement the light design plan in coordination with the architect, electrical engineer and lighting fixture vendor so that light installations are durable, safe and cost-effective. Besides creative knowledge, lighting designers have a strong understanding of electrical boards and circuits, aesthetics and special lighting effects.

7. Corporate interior designer

National average salary: ₹18,676 per month

Primary duties: Corporate designers design aesthetic and brand-aware interiors for work and office spaces. Their projects may range from small-scale offices to huge corporations in high-rise buildings. Corporate designers create a workplace that is functional, safe, efficient and ergonomic to increase productivity among employees. In addition, they have to ensure the workplace conforms to the brand values of the company.

Corporate industries usually require a tasteful, yet professional, work environment. Corporate interior designers may redesign, redecorate or renovate existing spaces to design a unique aesthetic for a business. They may also develop designs for cabins, cubicles, boardrooms, conference rooms and common spaces like break rooms, thus creating a fully functional finished workplace.

8. Landscape architect

National average salary: ₹34,325 per month

Primary duties: Landscape architects design outdoor spaces such as parks, grounds, campuses and open spaces for businesses, recreational facilities, stadiums, playgrounds and houses. They usually work with clients, building architects and engineers to understand the requirements of the project and prepare site plans and cost estimates accordingly. Landscape architects are responsible for integrating existing landscape features into the design and creating an atmosphere that represents that brand and is harmonious with nature.

In planned communities, landscape architects design the locations of buildings, trees, shrubs, walkways, streets and flowers. Most of these professionals work with various technologies, such as architecture mapping tools and software. The goal of a landscape architect is to enhance the beauty of existing spaces while planning for potential changes in the landscape. They may also design aesthetic green rooftops for environmental benefits or help in the restoration of natural spaces that are changing because of human intervention.

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9. Kitchen designer

National average salary: ₹21,740 per month

Primary duties: Kitchen designers specialise in the design of aesthetic kitchens and dining spaces. They usually have an in-depth knowledge of cabinets, electrical solutions, fixtures, appliances, lighting, plumbing and colour schemes to create a suitable environment as per the requirements of the homeowners. These interior designers usually create functional kitchens for residential as well as commercial spaces. Their responsibilities include designing and preparing plan layouts using sketches and blueprints, being actively involved in the purchase, supply, quality check and delivery of the required materials and monitoring project progress.

Skills required for an interior design job

If you want to become an interior designer, many employers may require you to complete a bachelor's or master's degree in interior design from a recognised institute. Short-term certificate and diploma courses in interior design act as an added advantage. Additionally, here are some skill skills you may require to be a successful interior designer:

• strong communication skills

• creative and strong aesthetic sense

• strong collaboration and leadership skills to handle multiple clients and vendors

• multi-tasking and time management skills to complete the work according to schedule

• networking skills for exploring various vendor markets and building a network of suppliers

• technical expertise in mapping, architecture or model animation tools

• knowledge of prop design and cinematography

Salary figures show data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing the article. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.