Interior Designers are Creative & Technical Problem-Solvers

They work with their clients to develop design solutions of all scales that are safe, functional, healthy, and attractive. Combining practical skills and knowledge, interior designers impact the human experience and transform lives. Interior designers share conversations around topics that matter: from evidence-based and humancentric design to social responsibility, well- being, and sustainability. There are currently 66,500 interior designers in the U.S. and the industry is expected to grow by five percent over the next ten years. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of professionals who believe in the power of interior design to improve the human experience. With more than more than 25,000 members, we serve to unite people who share the belief and seek collaboration with those working to promote the value of interior design.



What Do Interior Designers Do?

Interior designers advance the quality of life for the public by identifying, researching, and creatively solving problems about the built environment to achieve an aesthetically pleasing, functional, safe, and building code compliant interior.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the interior design profession will grow an additional 5 percent over the next 10 years – faster than architecture – meaning designers and professionals in associated roles will be in demand.



ASID Releases Comprehensive Research Study on the Impact of Design in the Workplace
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) completed a full spectrum of pre- and post-occupancy research on its new Washington, D.C. headquarters. The research shows how workplace design positively influences health, wellness, employee satisfaction, and work performance.
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Perspective Fall/Winter 2017: Next-Gen Vision
Four students sound off on the state of the industry – and how they plan to make their mark. Students in the classroom will have a role in how design morphs in coming years.
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From Student to Professional
You graduated from your interior design program. Now it’s time to tackle the next challenge: preparing for your career as a professional designer.
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Did You Know Green design depends on chemistry?
Green or eco-friendly interior design systems not only can conserve energy and natural resources, but also can contribute to an attractive, healthy building environment.
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National Building Museum’s Making Room: Housing for a Changing America Exhibit Opens
Today, the National Building Museum announced the opening of Making Room: Housing for a Changing America, an exhibition which runs from November 18, 2017, through September 16, 2018.
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ASID Unveils the Impact of Design Series
Humans currently spend approximately 93 percent of our time indoors. Interior designers use evidence-based design to improve the quality of the human experience.
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Interior Design

Interior design is all about how we experience spaces. It’s a powerful, essential part of our daily lives and affects how we live, work, play, and even heal. Comfortable homes, functional workplaces, beautiful public spaces—that’s interior design at work. The best interior designers make it look easy, crafting spaces that anticipate our needs and appeal to our emotions, but in reality a broad set of skills and technical knowledge is required.

Interior designers are expected to have working knowledge of:

  • Textiles, materials, color, space planning, sustainability, and more
  • Software applications for 2D & 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM)
  • Structural requirements, health and safety issues, and building codes

Within the field of interior design, there are a wealth of career options. You can start your own practice, work for a small or large firm, or specialize in a particular skill (such as lighting) or a specific area (such as hospitality). The possibilities are endless—and they’re expanding every day.

Residential Design: Residential professionals work with private living spaces, primarily designing rooms for new or existing homes. Some even prefer working with a specific room such as the kitchen or bathroom, or planning and creating closet spaces.

Commercial Design: Commercial interior designers plan public spaces—government buildings, private businesses, or other corporate entities. Offices are a common focus of these professionals, but they may also work with schools, banks, retail establishments, and other public spaces. Some work to make hotels and restaurants functional and appealing, while others design areas in hospitals and other healthcare facilities; each field often requires specific knowledge about how the space can be used effectively by both customers/clients and employees.

Career Stage Development

While interior designers may specialize in a specific market sector or type of firm, there are skill sets and knowledge that will benefit each stage of an interior designer’s career. ASID provides learning opportunities at each career stage with in-person events allowing interior designers with various backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to learn together or online via self-paced modules on the ASID Academy. ASID also celebrates the accomplishments of interior designers throughout their careers through Awards and Competitions.

Students are those currently enrolled in an interior design education program and preparing to take on the first steps in their careers. ASID provides opportunities for students to navigate their careers and enhance their understanding of the impact of design on people and their environments through programs such as SCALE: The ASID National Student Summit. Students attending SCALE engage with subject matter experts, their peers, and design firm leaders to launch their career path. ASID Student Chapter Awards are given to outstanding student members and chapters. From the ASID National Student Portfolio Competition to ASID Foundation scholarships, this is the place to start making your mark.
Interior designers within +/-5 years of professional practice are considered emerging professionals where they begin to define their career. Upon entering mid-career, interior designers begin to refine their career and focus their work. During these career stages, the interior designer’s path is self-defined with opportunities to pursue advanced education, certifications, and specialties.
Those who are leading a design firm or company are considered principals, partners, and owners. Interior designers within this career stage are leading organizations and shaping the future of the profession. Responsibilities within this career stage include balancing the future vision with the daily demands of the firm or company.
2020 IIDA Student Design Competition

Find a Job in Interior Design

ASID Job Bank contains the largest source of interior design jobs in the nation. It’s where interior designers go to find the right interior design jobs and where employers go to find the highest quality interior design talent.
ASID JOB BANK

Impact of Design

The American Society of Interior Designers believes that design transforms lives. ASID serves the full range of the interior design profession and practice through the Society’s programs, networks, and advocacy. We thrive on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. We lead interior designers in shared conversations around topics that matter: from evidence-based and humancentric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability. We showcase the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide.

ASID was founded over 40 years ago when two organizations became one, but its legacy dates back to the early 1930s. As we celebrate nearly 85 years of industry leadership, we are leading the future of interior design, continuing to integrate the advantages of local connections with national reach, of small firms with big, and of the places we live with the places we work, play, and heal.

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