Thinking About a Career in Commercial Interior Design?
When most people think about interior design and interior designers, they immediately think about super-expensive home renovations and luxury homes on Instagram & HGTV.
Very seldom does commercial interior design & commercial interior designers enter into the discussion.
Which is a shame. Not only do commercial interior designers produce some amazing work, but commercial interior design can also be a great place for young interior designers to launch their careers.
For today’s article, I spoke with interior designer Samantha Harte about the business of interior design & commercial interior design in particular. Samantha has over 13 years of interior design experience with a focus on healthcare & corporate commercial interior design.
INTERIOR DESIGN EDUCATION
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What do aspiring designers learn at interior design school?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: An interior design education includes both technical & analytical skills; interior design schools introduce you to several types of design work whether it’s residential or commercial interiors. You will also learn computer-generated drafting, like AutoCAD, Revit, perspective drawing, art history and much more.
The best way to experience what it’s like to work in a design firm, while you’re in school are work placements. Work placements help you see yourself in the future. Design school will also help you put together a resume and do a little research on each design firm.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What don’t aspiring designers learn at interior design school?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: Having a good eye for colours, choosing the right finishes, and producing beautiful drawings are a must, but what is just as important is the business aspect of working in order to succeed as an Interior designer, whether Commercial or Residential design.
I would want to see in the Interior design school curriculum is more Business courses…it’s an important part of development as any other business.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What would an aspiring interior designer do during a work placement?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: You would likely be working in the sample library room, picking up samples, deliveries, phone calls…helping out in the office. Depending at what level you’re at they may get you to research specifications.
It takes years of hard work to become an experienced interior designer. there’s a lot of learning on the job. If you have the passion, determination and you’re bursting with creativity… you’re up and running to that long road to success
POST GRADUATION
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Is it better for an interior design graduate to start their career with a small or large interior design firm?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: The advantage of working for a small company is that it’s easier to move up within the company. You work closely with the designer, and you’re more likely to be taking on more work as you get more confident.
In a larger company they might have you work probably with different designers, depending on the job description you were given. It would be to your advantage to reach out when there’s a new job posting within that company to move on up.
In a larger design firm, it may appear more exciting at first, because there might be more diverse groups of divisions to work with. They might be globally acclaimed with award-winning designs. This does not necessarily make them any better to work with. Remember bigger is not always better…
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What can an interior design graduate expect in their first job as a Junior Interior Designer?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: You’re more likely to work closely with the designer on a project. you’ll be their right-hand assistant helping them with drawings, researching finishes, picking up samples, and delivering drawings, sample boards. At times you’ll go on site visits with the designer to meet the client. This way you’ll get a better understanding of the project as it is progressing in a 3-dimensional way.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: How well does a “typical” interior design education prepare an aspiring designer for "the real world" of interior design? Residential and/or commercial
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: I can only speak to my own experience and how I landed my first job as a junior Interior designer. I first started sending my resume and cover letter to the Design firms where I could see myself working. I had quite a few interviews.
Starting out as a Junior Interior Designer can be daunting at times… stay positive there is always a place to start off with. It may not be what you wanted at first, but you need that first foot in the door.
Since this is my second career, I believe the more experience in life you have the more you can bring to the workforce. Healthcare was to my advantage…
I had an interview with a company that generally designed healthcare facilities, with a focus on dental offices. I was hired on the spot after talking about my experience with working in the hospital discussing what is needed in healthcare facilities. Having firsthand working experience among healthcare professionals and understanding the flow and fluidity needed for the staff and importantly what is needed for the well being of the patients.
Since then, history was made…
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: In residential design, there are big companies, medium companies, and micro-companies where a single designer works by themselves. Is it the same for commercial design?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: As a commercial interior designer, you’re working with the client as an individual or with a team and therefore it’s not as personal as in residential interior design.
There are many steps to commercial designing, whether, it’s a small or a large corporation. you work as a team!
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Are there advantages & disadvantages to working for a big company or a small company?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer:
Working for a small commercial Design company with ten or fewer staff members
As an Intermediate or Senior Interior Designer, you’re more likely to work on the same project from start to finish with your team.
Pros of working in a Small Commercial Interior Design Firm
Generally, as the Senior interior designer, you’ll have more control of the project and have your office team work alongside you. The projects won’t be as large scale as a whole building but just as rewarding and more personal.
Cons of working in a Small Commercial Interior Design Firm
There aren’t many cons, the only thing is you can only take on few projects at a time. especially if you’re in a small office like 2-3 people working with, you can get overwhelmed wishing you had extra help.
Working for a large commercial interior design company
In a really large commercial interior design firm, there are many various positions, working as a group. These include positions like the team lead Designer, coordinating, planning, budgeting, etc.
The Senior Interior designer will be working closely with the client and with a design team for the planning and generating the design process. Some Architectural Design firms work with Interior designers and provide all aspects to Building projects.
Pros of working for a Larger Commercial Interior Design Firm
Every Interior design firm will be different. Depending on whether you’re an Intermediate or Senior designer, the projects you will be working on will probably be on a large scale. It’s exciting… to be part of something up and coming such as a new corporate office tower or a new Hospital wing.
Cons of working for a Larger Commercial Interior Design Firm
If you like working in large offices and work in several from several projects a time, then you’ll enjoy it. If you don’t, you won’t.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: In your experience, what is the best-case career path for a new designer? Take into account personal interests, workload, pay, etc
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: As I had mentioned earlier, I started out in a different career. Since I was still young enough, I knew I had to follow my passion …it was now or never. I love expressing my creativity, and to see my work come to life! It’s a fulfillment! So I took a leap of fate and followed my dreams…and I did!
Money is not what drives designers…it’s about passion. You can make a good income as an Interior designer by the time you’re a Senior Interior Designer it can be rewarding.
As for myself, I personally enjoy working in the Commercial field. I have done residential projects when I first started attending Interior design school, and I did enjoy it. There are many Interior design firms that will do both, residential and commercial and can be quite successful.
Commercial or Residential? Which is better… there is not one answer…. both are rewarding careers. It’s really about the questions:
what do you like about Interior design?
where do your interests lie?
Only you know this. Your Homework is to visit and speak to various design firms and see for yourself what inspires you.
the business of interior design
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Residential and commercial interior designers - can you explain what they have in common & how the job requirements differ?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: They both work in design firms, either small or large. There are some who have their own businesses; therefore, clientele will be a lot smaller.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Could you describe the process of a residential interior design project?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: After a consultation with the client, we discuss the timeline and budgeting. Then the process begins:
Creative phase
Space planning
Construction drawings (if demolition and room additions are required)
Site visits
Shopping for furniture/finishes
Custom cabinet detailing
Drawing permits (if needed)
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Is there much difference between residential and commercial, when it comes to working with clients?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: In residential interior design, you work very closely with the client. You’re in someone’s home. It’s their personal and private space. It can be challenging at times especially when the couple has different ideas from one another. It’s happened to me where both wanted me to focus on what they wanted individually and not as a couple. This is where you need to have the conversation upfront so that you’re both on the same page.
Home renovations are on the rise…since the start of covid-19, we’re spending more time at home. Designers are not only renovating kitchens, bathrooms and basements, they’re having to create a home office for their clients.
As a commercial interior designer, you’re working with the client as an individual or with a team and therefore it’s not as personal as in residential interior design.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: Can you describe your experience as an interior designer?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: I love what I do! It’s my passion…I love expressing my creativity, and seeing my work come to life! It’s a fulfillment!
I started out working in a very small firm and I was there for several years. I had to learn very quickly from early on as I had to do most of the work myself. It was hands-on right from the start. I can’t say that’s better than learning from a larger firm. It might have been a totally different experience.
I ventured to the commercial side of interior design because after working in a hospital, I experienced how an interior space can affect someone’s mental health. The surroundings, treatment rooms, finishes can be just as important as their medical treatment. So… healthcare/dental designing is close to my heart. I wanted to bring as a designer the other side of working in a hospital/clinic. Patients and healthcare workers need to reduce their stress in a more calming environment. With my experience in the field, I’m more inclined to focus where the attention and detail are needed.
I’ve finally decided to take the initiative to work toward preparing for the NCIDQ exams. With my work experience, it should be straightforward.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What’s it like working in commercial interior design?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: As a commercial interior designer, you’re working with the client as an individual or with a team and therefore it’s not as personal as in residential.
But as with residential interior design, it always starts with that first consultation meeting. Try to meet the client with confidence and greet them with a warm smile, show them that you’re confident and you’re the one to bring their vision to life. The client will be more inclined to follow up with you and you stand a better chance of acquiring them as your client.
There are many steps to commercial interior design, whether, it’s a small or a large corporation. Clients usually come from client referrals or from the website. Here is the commercial interior design process with a new client;
Consultation: That first consultation might take place on the telephone. If the client is interested then we would meet at the office or sometimes on-site depending on what the client has in mind. Once the client has agreed to work with us, we go over a rough budget estimate for the size of the project.
Contract, timeline, budget: A contract is drawn up and the client has to review and forward us a deposit. This will depend on each design firm how they approach the contract and deposits. If this is an existing site and needs to be retrofitted to a new design plan we will then need to reach out to the landlord and request AutoCAD drawings or Hard copies of the space. If there are no drawings then we have to plan a site visit and record some dimensions of the space. I usually try to arrange for the Engineer to come along and make their assessment while were there.
Block planning: Meet the client to discuss the planning for the project. We then work on a block plan. Depending on the size of the firm, a larger firm will work with the creative team and plan together. As for a very small firm, there will be just yourself and a junior designer. Once block planning has been approved by the client, the next step is Vision boards.
Vision Boards, perspective drawings, 3D building model: Depending on the firm some may want to put together a vision board with drawings, and 3D building modeling to present to the clients. If it’s a formal setting it can take place in the board room with all the prospective clients. If it’s a small project and there is just the client, and yourself and your team, we may just do a visual presentation at the office.
Construction drawings: When it’s a go, we’re ready to start with the working drawings. Applying Building codes where needed.
Clients needs: Collect a list of electrical equipment and any other significant items needed for the facility. Prepare the plumbing and lighting plan.
Engineers: Then send the drawings to the Engineers, so they can do their parts, such as Electrical, Mechanical, Life safety, and Sprinkler Engineers.
Furniture, Finishes, and cabinet details: In the meantime, it’s time to research furniture and also plan to do detailed drawings for wall features, custom cabinetry. Then set a time with the client to look at furniture or special features for the project. In a larger firm, you will have a Junior or Intermediate designer to work on the project with you to help out. But as for myself, I was on my own to do most of the work…very tedious trying to balance the project on my own.
Site visits: There will be many site visits after demolition. You will need to chalk out the layout and making sure there are no surprises behind demolished walls…
Book cabinet Designer for dimensions: Once partitions are up and the plumber and electricians are working, you need to book a time for the cabinet maker to visit and do a take off before starting on any cabinet construction, they need to confirm dimensions for a custom fit.
Confirm Engineer drawings: Once I receive the Engineer drawings, I proofread to make sure all is in place.
Permit application: The next step is to prepare all documentation for the permit applications. Gather all drawings and drop off the drawings to the Building department for review and stamping.
Tendering: Next is to send out drawings for tender to the client’s list of contractors.
As-built: Once everything is pretty well completed you will revise as-built drawings.
Douglas Robb - Interior Design Toronto: What about money? How well does being a commercial interior designer pay?
Samantha Harte - Interior Designer: Your salary as a commercial interior designer will vary based on where you work, the individual design company and your skills & experience. Here are some salary ranges for interior designers in the Toronto area:
Junior Interior Designer (entry-level) $35.594-$38,400 per year
Intermediate Interior Designer $55,000-$60,000 per year
Senior Interior Designer $65.000-$75.000 + per year
My advice for achieving your best career path: Be yourself, work hard, believe in yourself…you can make it happen!
ABOUT SAMANTHA HARTE
Samantha has over 13 years of interior design experience with a focus on healthcare & corporate commercial interior design. Samantha is also CIDA Accredited & is a LEED Green Associate.
Samantha can be reached via LinkedIn
