20 Pieces of Advice for Interior Design Students
1. Be open minded about trying new design styles, and incorporating them together.
2. Learn to draw and sketch by hand. You can't always rely on technology
3. Pay attention to the details.
4. Don't procrastinate. Your final project will show it.
5. Be prepared to go 5 days without sleep.
6. Keep multiple copies of your work. Your Flash-drive will probably crash at one point or another.
7. Keep your portfolio up to date.
8. Network!
9. You're a Design major, your resume should reflect it.
10. Demonstrate progression in your final project (bubble diagrams, sketches, test fits, etc.)
11. Don't be afraid to take risks.
12. You may consider some of the project requirements as "unnecessary," but just do it. Your instructor usually knows what he/she is talking about.
13. Get used to presenting your project to a group of people. It's never going away.
14. Learn to trust your peers. Like presentations, "Team Projects" are never going away.
15. Give yourself ample time to print your project. It never goes as smoothly as planned.
16. Keep measuring tape in your purse/bag.
17. Take advantage of the Reps when they visit your class, whether it's for networking or free samples.
18. Physical samples are always best.
19. Learn standards sizes and dimensions. You'll waste too much time "googling" them if not.
20. You will probably cry at least during every project, especially when you're on your 63rd hour without sleep. Just remember how rewarding the end result always is.
Each of these advice are important part of the learning experience we have as students! They are all very important!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this submission especially as the first post in this bog. It is very straight-to-the-point advice from a person in interior design to someone who is considering joining the field. I love how honest and accurate it is, especially #2o because I think we can all relate to these moments of tears.
ReplyDeleteKeeping a tape measure on hand is a really good tip. There have been many times I have needed one during the course of my internship and it came in handy to have one in my purse. Especially if you're in a group and no one else has one you really look like you're thinking ahead and are prepared.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic and a great way to ease into the blogs - both funny and informative! Sometimes I wonder what I am truly gaining from this major and then I remember that unstoppable feeling I get whenever I turn in a project. As interior designers, we are invincible - we have the power to create and change the way individuals live and interact. So, thanks for including #20, it is a piece of advice that never ceases to add perspective.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a wonderful post because it is so relatable! As, I was reading through the list a bunch of things struck a cord with me. I think the one that stood out the most though was #12. I often find myself questioning the reason behind having to do certain things for a project, but 4 out of 5 times I understand why the teacher had me do it after the project is completed. Sometimes in the midst of a large and stressful project it is hard to see the whole picture and it is important to keep that in the back of your mind.
ReplyDeleteI love this! This should be posted in every Interior Design Studio, it reminds us that everyone else is experiencing the same roller coaster ride - we are not alone....and it is all over before we blink.
ReplyDeleteThis is so great and so true! I wish with the time spent in school that more emphasis was placed on taking things back to basics, such as drawing, sketching, and rendering by hand. I think we all can agree that technology is important, but we've become so focused technology and not the design itself.
ReplyDelete