Back to School

It's the being of September and most students have already started back to school. It's time to buckle down and get back into the groove of researching, building models, sketching, giving presentations, and much more. As interior design students we try to make to most of our time in and out of the classroom. Sometimes it can feel like a balancing act when it comes to school work and extracurricular activities. Here are some suggestions to make the most out of your time studying interior design in school.

Join RDI and become apart of nextGEN or join other professional organizations at the student level. It can never be said enough how important it is to join a professional organization. Being a student member of a professional does not only expand your knowledge of the design field but it also allows you meet and network with professionals in the industry. There are many avenues within the interior design field, it is helpful you navigate towards your future!

Calling all interior design students, enter design competitions. Entering a design competition can seem a little intimidating. However, when you participate there is an opportunity for your work to be seen by professionals in the industry. Plus it is something you can add to you resume and it a great addition to your portfolio! Many interior design professional organizations, manufacturers, and design magazines sponsor many of the design competitions out there. Therefore, get your work out there and show the design industry how talented you are! 

Start to build your design vocabulary. The interior design field has been given many occupational stereotypes. Be an intelligent and articulate when it comes to speaking about the design industry.

Find yourself a mentor. Don't be afraid to ask a design professional or even your teacher to be your mentor. Many professionals are happy to look at your portfolio. They can give you valuable feedback to better your portfolio or resume. This will be helpful because you can find out what professionals are looking for when it comes to potential employees.

Intern, intern, intern. Internships are such an important aspect for developing what design service or market you would like to enter. Paid or not, you will gain valuable experience. Some internships can lead to job opportunities. Finding a internship in today's economy can be a little discouraging, however, that is why developing a portfolio is so important.

Start building your portfolio, resume, and/ website. The interior design industry is gravitating towards the "digital-age." Therefore, carrying full size drawings and cumbersome portfolios is becoming more uncommon. It is becoming easier to create your own website or digital portfolio. There are many different resources you can use to start building your digital footprint like Blogger, Wix, WordPress, Tumblr, and Posterous.

Learn how to market yourself. As student and emerging professional it is important to market yourself. The job market is becoming more competitive. You want to be the one that employers remember. In a sense you are your own brand, make it a go one! Read more about marketing yourself here.

We how that these suggestions will help you have the more reward experience as an interior design student. Remember once you have graduated and are a young professional don't stop educating yourself! The interior design industry is ever changing, therefore, there is always something new to learn.