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Interior design internship vs design coordinator

The differences between interior design interns and design coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an interior design internship, becoming a design coordinator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a design coordinator has an average salary of $53,594, which is higher than the $45,975 average annual salary of an interior design internship.

The top three skills for an interior design internship include revit, sketch and auto cad. The most important skills for a design coordinator are revit, sketch, and BIM.

Interior design internship vs design coordinator overview

Interior Design InternshipDesign Coordinator
Yearly salary$45,975$53,594
Hourly rate$22.10$25.77
Growth rate1%3%
Number of jobs88,15157,107
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4238
Years of experience412

What does an interior design internship do?

When it comes to interior design internship, interns are typically responsible for performing support tasks and gaining industry insights while under the supervision of managers or senior designers. They often participate in designing spaces, responding to clients' calls and correspondence, answering inquiries, and preparing conceptual presentations for clients. They may also run errands and perform clerical tasks such as preparing progress reports and documentation, create proposals, and even schedule appointments. Moreover, as an intern, it is essential to understand and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

What does a design coordinator do?

A design coordinator is responsible for collating and analyzing designs for construction that meet business requirements and budget limitations. Design coordinators create expenses forecasting by identifying the resources and materials to be used and the estimated duration for project deliverables. They also coordinate with the clients to share progress updates and modify plans as needed according to specifications. A design coordinator negotiates contract offers with suppliers and third-party vendors, minimize excessive costings, and ensure high-quality outputs.

Interior design internship vs design coordinator salary

Interior design interns and design coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Interior Design InternshipDesign Coordinator
Average salary$45,975$53,594
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $63,000Between $38,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyLEO A DALYJacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industryConstructionTechnology

Differences between interior design internship and design coordinator education

There are a few differences between an interior design internship and a design coordinator in terms of educational background:

Interior Design InternshipDesign Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorInterior DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeCornell UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Interior design internship vs design coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between interior design interns' and design coordinators' demographics:

Interior Design InternshipDesign Coordinator
Average age4238
Gender ratioMale, 11.9% Female, 88.1%Male, 44.7% Female, 55.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage23%13%

Differences between interior design internship and design coordinator duties and responsibilities

Interior design internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage the website and twitter page, write the blog posts and attend numerous fashion shows and sample sale rooms.
  • Work primarily with AutoCAD, SketchUp, and materials selection.
  • Conduct concept sketch, research materials and select furniture for these projects.
  • Create an initial design concept on sketch plans and as an online model.
  • Create finish board layouts and develop 3-D SketchUp renderings to assist presentations of finishes and interior features to clients.
  • Create client meeting PowerPoint presentation.
  • Show more

Design coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage all POS project costs, invoice and bill clients.
  • Manage the conversion of catalog data to HTML for FTG's on-line purchasing initiative.
  • Develop construction drawings using AutoCAD; coordinate bid process and vendor selection; and manage construction process through final punch list.
  • Participate in sketch reviews, fittings, and inspiration meetings.
  • Create PDF application forms, edit photos and create PowerPoint presentations.
  • Make Microsoft PowerPoint presentations including all sales aids for each market.
  • Show more

Interior design internship vs design coordinator skills

Common interior design internship skills
  • Revit, 20%
  • Sketch, 8%
  • Auto CAD, 6%
  • SketchUp, 6%
  • Design Solutions, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common design coordinator skills
  • Revit, 13%
  • Sketch, 8%
  • BIM, 7%
  • Design Projects, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Graphic Design, 5%

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