I went back to school (I have a post-doc in an unrelated field ) and got an interior design degree after I did my first remodel/rehab. I did not go to a university, I went to an art school that has a program that would prepare me educationally to take the NCIDQ exam should I wish to. There really is a big difference between decorating and interior design in terms of technical things...which I didn't fully understand until I was in the program.

The other way around for me, my career has led to many a remodel.

As you have learned from checking into the UF program, pursuing a design degree and career needs to be taken seriously. There is a big responsibility involved in working on projects with a client's time and money. There are numerous laws and codes to be followed and often your best work is the part that does not show.

Interesting question sabjimata, and a great suggestion from your husband! I'm a little surprised at the physics part too, but who knows? I've considered the notion as well, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that big of a change in career though, at least not quite yet!

I'm enjoying your blog very much, haven't tried any recipes yet, but hope to next weekend. I hope your possible new career in design won't take away from your cooking!

Careers in design are exciting and challenging! However, not as exciting as TV would make it, or even your own personal remodel make it seem to be. There are plenty of drudgery hours spent before you get to deal with the pretty pretty stuff. ANd there are plenty of days you just want to tear your hair out and find a shack on the beach and collect coconuts!

If you can balance a checkbook in the middle of leading a kindergarten class in a sing a long while knitting a sweater and perusing an auto repair manual as to how to personally fix the starter on your Honda, then you are a good candidate for design school. If you have a great grasp of spatial relationships and color theory and can put in long hours for somone who not only doesn't grasp those concepts but who actually seems to want to negate any real creativity you've shown all the while they're telling you they want something "different", then you may be a good candiate for design school. If your spouse is gainfully employed in a well paying job and doesn't mind supporting you for the 3-5 years after school that it takes for your business to turn a real profit, then you may be a good candidate for design school. If you can look at the undersink plumbing that the plumber has just done and tell him how he did it wrong and how to fix it while helping the client pick 1 of 147 differnt but the same white paint samples, then you may be a candidate for design school. If you have good financial reserves to be able to hand a client 20K because you screwed up their job and they want their money back, then you may be a good candidate for design school.

It's harder than it looks. The rewards are meager. The stress is high. You have to be very self motivated and self rewarded. If you are all of those things, and lots lots more, then you may investigate design school. Unfortunately, unless you are all of those things and more, you may be one of the 3 out of 4 that don't make it through design school and into a career in design. If a 25% chance of success appeals to the mule in you, then you're definately a candidate for design school!

Physics in interior design: Understanding the affect gravity has on a structure. Understanding the vectors that make buttresses and beams hold up walls and roofs. Accouostics: Understanding how various materials make a room noisy or quiet, and which shapes direct noise away and which send it right back at people. Optics: Understanding what light is, how it moves, how it affects perception, the difference between the color of light and the color of pigments. Materials: Understanding tensile strength, flexibility, durability, fastening.

I could go on and on. Most of the actual design work an interior designer, rather than a decorator, does is based on physics in one way or another.

Considering the amount of "cool" stuff that designers and architects foist on people that turn out not to be functional, I'm thrilled that your school requires a basic understanding of physics.

Some designers don't seem to be able to do simple measuring and arithmetic.

Thanks for the great responses, everyone!

Palimpset, interesting to find out how you got into your career.

Steff, yes, the Interior Design program is (obviously) part of the school of architecture. I do see, from the course listings, how design and decorating are different fields.

Sochi-Would you want to specialize in modern kitchens? I understand the career issue, even though I am not so deeply entrenched in mine. I was working as a caterer/personal chef but am just about to complete a teacher certification program. I will be done around the same time my dream kitchen is finished. I would much rather be in a kitchen cooking all day...or mulling through kitchen stuff....than dealing with middle school boys telling me to such their...well, you get the idea.

Live Wire--Way to be the killjoy! ;) No, seriously, I appreciate your post and will show the husband. We try to keep it simple (aside from the kitchen remodel) with our spending and have survived on my husband's nurse's salary for a while now, but we *definitely* don't have 20K to cover a mess up. Do designers take out insurance for such cases?

You definitely convinced me to keep my life simple and avoid the unforeseen complications of becoming a kd.

It seems in the area that most kd's are associated with big kitchen operations. I find that kind of unseemly....like a conflict of interest or loss of autonomy. Any thought on that?

Pillog, thanks for the physics explanation. Seems very architectural. Is there such a thing as Kitchen Decorators? For our remodel, we hired an engineer to figure out the roof truss/supporting wall issues. I would not have thought of ever farming something like that out to a KD. Hmmmm.....

I think that you'd have to understand that most of your clients will not be TKO the way the people on this forum are. That would drive me crazy, and I couldn't deal with it as a career on a day to day basis. Keep in mind that the Kitchens and Appliances Forums give us a false sense that everyone out there is deciding/cares about inset or full overlay, or the advantages/disadvantages of cooktop/wall oven vs. range, or single vs. double bowl, the cabinets to the ceiling or not, pull-out vs. pull-down faucet and the like. Have you gone to a party and tried to talk to people about these kind of kitchen topics, and gotten either a blank stare, or a hasty retreat? You will have to work with that mindset from clients who just "want the kitchen done" and underbudget too. I love kitchen design, but I don't have the fortitude for that.

Great posts everyone. I understand your feelings Sabjimata, I'm having the same internal dialogue. I'm a dental hygienist and I love the profession, my employer/friend, patients and the direction in which organized dental hygiene is headed, to a more autonomous, mid-level provider position (though that has been and still will be a long time coming). I've been practicing for 27 years and make a decent income working 3 days a week, but...I yearn for a way to profit from my good taste, cooking skills, or creative flair. I help my son with his jewelry making; he is disabled and jewelry is a great way to meet girls & make money, though now he is engaged! Anyway, I love doing the jewelry with him, and love cooking for a big party or just my family dinner, but working gets in the way. Ugh, the drudgery of being a grown-up. I used to do some catering, in a different world, now we live in a rural community, and the hectic, sporadic schedule isn't a good fit with my son's need for assistance. I've thought about cooking classes (in my pretty, almost finished, small kitchen), it would be fun, but profitable??? I'm going to school to finish my BS, all online, the workload is getting to me, and I truly don't know why I'm doing it. This weekend I was thinking about how clean my house could be, how good my yard could look, and what smells could be coming from the new oven if I quit going to school, put my tuition in the market, and was a better housewife and mom! My life's been pretty great so far, but I haven't always made the best decisions. One thing is for sure, I empathize with my 20 yo son who can't decide what he wants to be when he grows up. Sorry for the hijack, and thanks for listening.

Professional liability insurance is available, but it is expensive. Most designers work for firms that take care of those things. The downside is that you spend more and more time documenting the process and less in creative design.

This is really good stuff. I'm already in a different career, but my kids have both expressed an interest in interior design and architecture. (They're only 11 and 13, so that of course may change. But I'm encouraging these thougts more than, for example, my son's other 'plans' to play for the NBA or be a pro bass player.)

One of my engineering profs made a couple scathing remarks about architects designing stuff that would never stand up, so I totally get the physics thing. I had no idea about the odds of succeeding in design; that's a good reality check.

My daughter (13) just did a 'reality' project at school where they picked a career, figured out college costs and post-college living expenses and then how they would afford rent, food, insurance etc. after college, within their chosen career. Her career choice was interior design, and with her 'reality' calculations she had to live with DH and me because she couldn't afford rent while paying off college loans. I hope this doesn't discourage her, but rather gives her a realistic idea of hard work and delayed gratification. (Not to mention an appreciation of the college fund...)

To answer your question: "how did you get started, anyone with a non-university route?"

Yes, I did. I started at my current job at a high-end family-owned lumberyard almost 13 years ago, without any real experience in cabinetry. I had a background in design, both graphic and decorating, and in sales. No degree in anything, but a lot of real life work experience. I learned my job while doing it. I had a few guys working there and a couple of NKBA course that taught me stuff. Other than that, I was thrown in the deep end and I had to swim. But I had DYI experience on a house or two, so I knew basic building concepts, and I was also a cook. I was careful and quickly learned about cabinets and I have to say, I did a good job and I was lucky. Now, besides designing and project management, I'm also the manager of the division.

Where I work there's a 1200 square foot showroom with displays and samples. I sell several cabinet lines and that is how I mostly get paid, but I don't see that as any kind of a conflict of interest. I wouldn't be in business long if made people buy something they don't want or need. I know the specs and tolerances of the cabinets so I can design a kitchen at the right budget. It's me that's responsible for the design working, fitting and finishing properly, so I don't understand why paying someone who's independent of the cabinet line works better somehow.

Design school might teach you concepts, but it will not prepare you for the realities of working with clients. That's the hard part of our job. Most people can be pretty difficult when their kitchen has been gutted and things might not be going the way they had hoped. And if you're going to be successful, you need to be doing multiple projects at one time, and that means lots of people to keep happy. Might actually feel quite similar to a class of middle-schoolers... without the summers off! And this is definitely not a part-time job -- I often wake up at night because of someone's kitchen.

I don't want to be a kill-joy either, but live_wire said it pretty well. I confess to surfing the net for beach bars for sale quite often!

I'm curious -- what do you think your typical day would be like?

Thanks Kitchenwitch. It was basically my husband's idea. He didn't think I would need real training, just hand a shingle. I did some quick online research and discovered all these university programs. I was not at all surprised about the licensing and certification.

At present, my back to school plans are to get an MLIS (become a librarian). I don't really think I thought through a typical day much, since the idea is about 48 hours old...and already dead. LOL. But I was hoping it would be a lot of online research....kind of like being a librarian...but focusing mainly on kitchens ;)

Chicagoans - There are many students who drop off along the way, but those with a dedication to the profession can look forward to a challenging and rewarding career. Large firms employ engineers along with architects and designers so your children are not limited to design and architecture majors.

Just to clarify what kitchenwitch said, a good design program will teach the realities of working with clients. Check out the University of Cincinnati or Virginia Tech just to name two.

This thread had me thinking back to my very first design studio class in college. During the introduction the professor said "if you've been told you have a flair for design you are in the wrong class."

"The realities of working with clients" -- Well said Steff.

That's the reality of any creative field.

And the last paragraph is true as well -- it goes for writers too. If you've been told "you should be a writer!" break all your pencils and disable your blog ...

Just now saw you other post! Ouch!

I definitely wasn't talking about your blog! Please don't think that was a snarky reference. It was something that is routinely pointed out among writers in the creative business I work in. They even say it about themselves.

I just have a gift for timing. Your blog is lovely.

ROTFL!! Steff, I love that quote!!

Re trusses and such, you don't have to know how to engineer them, but as a designer you do have to know that they're there, what they're doing, and how they're going to interfere with your wild notions. Lighting design is its own field, but there are all kinds of bad interior designers who don't even understand the principles and make horridly lit rooms for their clients. Stuff like that.

I too have had people tell me I should be a designer (especially because I can handle the math), and I have done some of the basic coursework out of interest (I'm an artist). But I scream and go running the other way at the thought for the reasons others have posted above--there is a lot of technical tedium involved which I just don't want to be responsible for.

Yes, you can be a kitchen decorator. Check your local ordinances to learn what words you can use to describe yourself if you don't have any professional qualifications. I do this kind of thing, as a consultant, occasionally. It's great work if you can get it, but getting someone to pay you what your time is worth for it is another story. At that point, unless you have a reputation that you can build on, they could have a "real" designer. And be really serious with yourself on what you can really give them that's worth someone paying you anything, rather than going on GW and learning for themselves for free (plus annoying ads).

I actually think there is a niche to be had here, if you want to pursue it. IF you can be up on all the appliances, pro and con, in all the price ranges and which stores have the best prices, service, etc. If you can really learn what tiles are on the market, and the same with local sources. If you can gather samples of all the stone you can and do tests and interviews and follow-ups and keep copious GW notes, so you'll know which ones are harder, which are more porous, which must be resined, etc. I mean, if you can become a total compendium of the kind of knowledge we come to GW for, I think you'd be a great asset as a kitchen decorator. Someone who specializes in the shopping end. Just like there are decorators who specialize in finding just the right end table lamp to complement your living room. There are so many technical issues with most kitchen finishes a lot of people don't want to get involved. Though if you do recommend something for its technical value, you do still have to be concerned about liability and what happens if your client is unhappy.

Rather than doing the university interior design course, btw, you might look into becoming a licensed contractor. It's a lot less course work, and if you're specializing in kitchens, probably more of what you need to know. Things like wiring, plumbing, building codes, etc. As an independent contractor you'd need to be bonded, insured, etc., so it's not something to leap right into, but if you really want to do this work you could get a job as a project manager for a larger firm. That might be a lot closer to the kind of work you think you'll enjoy.

sabjimata - I read the title of the post and correctly assumed it referred to becoming a KD or interior decorator.

However, to answer your question, which really doesn't specifically mention KD as the career ....yes....there are days when the notion of opening a small bakery relentlessly interrupts my normal thought processes. My family, friends, and co-workers think I should move in that direction while others suggest some type of catering. Then again, a side hobby-type business of providing small, family-style meals in a home setting is intriguing too. But I'll let those ideas simmer for awhile and revisit them in a few months or years from now to see if it still entices me before diving into some serious research. Plus, I'm not ready to leave my current career for an unknown.

Not exactly like the your other responses to this post, is it?

and, totally off-topic, but I'd love to hear the story behind your forum name.

sabjimata, what a funny coincidence!! A couple of years ago, I was thinking of what I wanted to do when I grow up. At the time, I seriously considered library science. When I did my grad work, my favorite part was researching the libraries and archives. I'm several years older than you though and two of my kiddos are younger so I may be ancient by the time I can go to school again.

A friend of mine is a resource specialist/interior designer in a large design firm. I think that means that she specializes in sourcing items. She does seem very up on modern designers. A neighbor is an architect who specializes in lighting, usually for large public spaces. I've talked to her about her work, and it sounds fascinating. So many options!

There's a woman named paulines who came in here about 5-6 years ago to remodel her kitchen, and now she's a rather well known designer in her area.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. You really have my head spinning (figuratively speaking, of course)! I love reading everything on here so this thread has been fun for me. I have been looking online for good descriptions of kd's jobs, but I think this thread is becoming the online authoritative post.

Growlery, LOL @ you! Actually, I have been told I should be a writer and in another life, that was my ambition. Now I think there is just too much printed word in the wold to compete with. ;)

Country Smile--Oooh! Yes, I am right there with you! I did mean KD *BUT* I do have some other plans in the works once my remodel is finished. Namely, I am really gearing up to do an underground restaurant out of my home, pre-paid, limited seating, set menu...maybe once a month. I was personal cheffing but it had many of the same drawbacks (clients) as being a KD ;)

My screen name is a long story...basically it is a play on the name of a friend, Sacimata--who is a great cook. Sabjimata literally means Mother of Vegetables in Hindi. I appropriated it as my e-mail handle around 1999, named my jam business, blog, etc Sabjimata and now even my daughter calls me Sabjimata. It is kind of funny because there are people around town who think that is my name from the cooking business I was doing previously.

But seriously, personal cheffing does sound a lot like KD'ing in terms of the headaches. "I can't eat wheat. No soy. Only unpurified real salt. No dairy. I hate tahini. I loved it...but can you make it with cannolini beans instead?"

It's daunting being an artist!!! ;)

Pickle--I've decided there is some cosmic trickery going on. I am from the north living in the south. You are from the south living in the north. We both love green tile, white marble and dream of researching as a full time job :)

Alright. So, I was thinking...maybe I could open an online cottage kitchen shoppe...selling many of my favorite things...catering to a specific look: modern classic cottage design.

Anyone with advice for that?

Update: (as if anyone is reading this LOL)

I filed with the Florida Dept of REvenue and am in the process of opening my online shop! I hope to have it up and running within a few months. It will be simple in ambition: a boutique of kitchen stuff I love and adore and have confidence in.

I am really excited about this. Success or not, I get to keep "shopping" for kitchen stuff even after my remodel is finished!

Wishing you luck and enjoyment. I had an online business for a couple of years (not retails sales) and it is a lot of work on the business end. Looking forward to your opening announcement.

Sabjimata, so funny about the cosmic trickery! Best of luck on your online shop. I look forward to seeing it!

I took design classes while I was remodeling because the interior decorators who thought they were KD's did such a bad job planning a kitchen and bathroom for us. Things like putting my husband's sink to the right of the toilet bowl and only a foot away so he would have either had to squeeze into that little space, sit on the toilet while brushing his teeth or straddle the throne while at the sink.

Not to mention the cabinet to the right of his sink that would only be accessible if you were on your hands and knees with your head in the toilet....Great work!

Or the stove that was against the wall (also against code in my area) and in the hallway so that the cook had to actually stand in the hallway (main entry hall) to cook...very good design huh? But they all had pretty pictures :)

Ohhh and the designer, who was told pretty specifically what style I wanted, who came back with a rolly polly swirly whirly tuscan kitchen using none of the products I specifically asked for nor including space for the range I made clear we had already purchased...she said that my ideas wouldn't work and I should understand she was a trained designer so I should trust her vision....did I mention the gold stenciled lettering that she was going to have done on the beams in the kitchen????? BLEH BLEH BLEH (ok if i have just described your kitchen sorry LOL)

So after all those stupid bids were submitted I gave up and went to school to design my own. I focused on code related classes as well as basic design theory. I did not finish my degree because my son is very ill and at the time I didn't know from day to day if we'd be in the hospital for a period of time or not (those who have been on the kitchen forum know that I used to disapear and then complain about how my contractor did as well while we were in hospital...as well as any money we paid them LOL). Anyhoo, I used those skills to design my home and then paid a professional KD to review them and tweek as appropriate (Had I found her in the first place I wouldn't have had to do the schooling).

I also purchased a program called cheif architecht which many architechts and designers use. It's a great program for a hungry mind. You need a special beefed up computer to use it (cost about $2,000 when done beefing) and the program itself is around $3,000 with classes which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND so you can learn the very indebth program).

I have taken a couple of jobs for folks who have been in my home since it was finished. Mostly just consulting on color issues and tweeking design, but I have this limiting rule which deny's me the ability to work with the general public....I only work with unlimited budgets. You'd be amazed how many jobs that will cut you out of LOL

My favorite job was desiging an office for a large company. Not seating and all that goober but the color scheme, general flow of the main rooms etc. Totally different than desiging a home or picking colors for a home because you have to take different concerns into consideration. Very fun and it came out great. I'll also do their next office from the furniture on up (carpet, lighting etc) but will consult with an architecht on that one to be sure it works (because I'm not trained in this stuff and could easily make stupid mistakes). My budget on these jobs was only limited to how much money I didn't want DH to take home in his pocket because we own the company LOL Decorating is a lot easier if the client is you!

Good luck with your new endeavor, and check out Cheif Architecht if you really do want to learn more. It's a fun program to play on. I am using it now to redesign (back to original or close to it) a victorian home. Very very fun :)

igloochic - That is a great story of how you got into designing. It's really key that you focused on the basics of codes and design theory first.

sabjimata - The kitchen site sounds like a great choice for you. Be sure to keep us updated.

Cool!!! Great way to make your enthusiasm work for you without onus. There are a few laws you need to know about, like the notifications you need to send when items are delayed, but being a merchant is much easier. And you can do "cottage look consulting" for a nice hefty fee, as a specialist in the style, by dint of having a store, and cherry pick the fun stuff. Someone could pay you a nice chunk to say that lemon stripes will tie the room together, and stuff like that.

You have a great idea there! All the best with it.

Igloochic--Thanks for sharing that great story. Well, not great in terms of the KD's screwups, but interesting. I can see all your classes paid off because you have an absolutely incredible kitchen!

Bireland--I had an online jam business before and with that I had to make all the jam, keep inventory, fill and mail orders. A one woman jam mailing show. I think this will be easier, but yes, even this will have it's challenges. My next step is to get all my trade pricing together. Discovering the headaches as I go, but with enthusiasm ;)

Pillog, thanks for the encouragement. i appreciate it. And need it! :)

So...since I don't want to get snagged for advertising infractions, I'll link my shop now, before any merchandise is actually posted. I just got the WP theme sorted out today, with the help of a friend. There is a blog post up, so actually I will link that.

Thanks everyone! And I am looking forward to hearing anyone else's stories about baking, catering, designing or whatever else came about as a result of your remodel :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage Industry Design Blog

My kitchen project solidified my desire to go into this field. I started classes last summer...very part time since I have a full time job, kids and have been managing the kitchen remodel. My current class is the intro to interior design class. I have a Bachelor's degree in business and several MBA classes under my belt. I have to say this 100 level interior design class is by far the hardest, most time consuming class I have ever taken. I easily spend 20-25 hours a week on homework. My class started with 16 people in it. After the first major project we were down to 6. Last week, the teacher told 3 of the 6 that their work is not good enough to pass. Now, we are down to 3. Today is my final presentation. I was up to 1am doing my presentation boards. If all goes well, I should come out of this class with an A.

I think the others who have said that interior design is not decorating are absolutely right. A lot of my classmates expected to be just picking paint colors and throw pillows. It is more about precise measurements, exacting drafting and sales skills. You don't pass this class unless you can "sell" your ideas on your project.

I originally planned to take 2 classes per semester so I could get done in 2 1/2 years. These classes are so intense that I just can't do that...so it is the 5 year plan for me.

I hope it is worth it in the end.

eks6426 - Your hard work will be rewarded in the long run. Interior Design is a challenging and interesting career and your business degree is a great background. Hopefully there are some classes you can double up to get done a little faster. As your base of knowledge increases you may find the studio classes get easier.