Interior Designers are basically belittled from the time they enter college throughout their entire careers. Whether it be by people who don't understand what Interior Design is, by architecture and engineering students or by professionals in the work environment, Interior Designers are commonly seen as replaceable, unimportant decorators. As an Interior Design major, let me tell you that you are wrong. Here are some of the most annoying things we get to hear on a daily basis.
1. "Oh, so you arrange furniture and pick out paint colors?"
Thank you for discrediting and invalidating everything I study for. Actually, I'm in my third year of this program, and not ONCE have I been taught "how" to arrange furniture. That is not what design is about. Interior Design, rather than being interchangeable with "Interior Decoration," is more closely interchangeable with "Interior Architecture." Think about what an architect does; I do that, too, but on the inside. Sure, I get to do the fun stuff with textiles and materials as well, but it's so much more than that. Once, I had a friend tell me I was just taking "advanced furniture moving" classes; I had to control myself from punching him in the throat.
2. "Will you design my house for me??"
I guess, but don't think that I'm going to do it for free, and don't think I'm just going to come in with cute Pinterest pictures and paint samples and curtains. Like all other services, I'm not just here for you to take advantage of and not take seriously; this is a profession. Pay me, though, and we'll talk.
3. "So you know all about feng shui and stuff, right?"
Yeah, no. I know about circulation, form, function, and I know about relationships between spaces.
4. "Are you going to have your own show on HGTV?"
Let me tell you a secret: none of those people have degrees. You don't have to go to school to flip houses or decorate basements or knock down some interior partitions. So no. I'm going to be working on real design projects.
5. "You must be really good at drawing."
What? Where does this association come from? Yes, I'm creative, and sketching is a massive part of the design process. But that doesn't automatically mean I'm good at it or an artist. Your logic is a little flawed.
6. "That sounds so fun and easy!"
Actually, I get a key and 24-hour access to my building on campus because I legitimately am there past midnight more than half of the time. My entire weekend, almost every weekend, is spent in studio. I don't go out, I don't get to watch Netflix, and sometimes, I have to choose between showering, sleeping and eating. I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it were fun and worthwhile, but if you want an easy major, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
As much as I do hate correcting people constantly and being talked down to at times, I know that my passion for design and the difference I make in the world is going to vindicate itself. But I won't lose sleep over it; I have projects for that.
