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Interior design internship skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Denise Rush,
Bill Morgan
Interior design internship example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical interior design internship skills. We ranked the top skills for interior design interns based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.0% of interior design internship resumes contained revit as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an interior design internship needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 interior design internship skills for your resume and career

1. Revit

Revit, also known as Autodesk Revit, is computer software used by architects, structural engineers, and designers to perform building modeling tasks. Revit was designed to facilitate users, draw building modeling structures in a 2D and 3D format. Creating such models allows architects and engineers to pre-planning, scheduling, estimating the life of the structure and the entire cost of construction.

Here's how interior design interns use revit:
  • Executed elevations and plans in Revit for an airline corporate interiors project including airport facilities.
  • Utilized Revit Architecture to complete a kitchen renovation.

2. Sketch

Here's how interior design interns use sketch:
  • Worked together with colleges on various restaurants designs Specification books, installation, and sketch design.
  • Created an initial design concept on sketch plans and as an online model.

3. Auto CAD

Here's how interior design interns use auto cad:
  • Worked with a team of architects, interior designers, and CAD technicians to develop construction documents using Auto CAD.
  • Implemented design projects using various design software databases: Architectural Desktop, Auto CAD, and Adobe Computer Skills

4. SketchUp

Here's how interior design interns use sketchup:
  • Requested quotes from vendors, selected FF&E for various projects, utilized SketchUp and AutoCAD for renderings.
  • Created finish board layouts and developed 3-D SketchUp renderings to assist presentations of finishes and interior features to clients.

5. Design Solutions

The design solution is a process that is used to simplify or translate high-level client requirements into a simpler form that may be also be regarded as a solution. For this purpose, the technical requirements and models are to be transformed into alternative designs which are then analyzed and the best one among all the alternatives is chosen as the ultimate solution.

Here's how interior design interns use design solutions:
  • Assisted Principal Designer in composing design solutions within client budgets, and customizing presentations.
  • Developed design solutions for existing venue renovation.

6. PowerPoint

Here's how interior design interns use powerpoint:
  • Created client meeting PowerPoint presentation.
  • Used computer programs to efficiently do my job such as Photoshop, PowerPoint, excel, Internet, and Microsoft programs.

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7. Space Planning

Space Planning is one of the most important elements of interior decorating. The interior designer takes the space available within a building, an apartment, a house, or another type of structure which is being renovated or otherwise altered, and then they begin to play around with the space, creating visions and revisions of the space on paper or in a specialised design program, according to the necessities of the project and clients at hand.

Here's how interior design interns use space planning:
  • Worked on space planning, design development and construction documents for various projects including hospitality, higher education and corporate offices.
  • Worked with international architects and designers on space planning, construction documentation and on-site measurement.

8. Design Firm

A design firm is a company or organization that specializes in providing design services in different fields such as information technology, graphics, engineering, and architecture.

Here's how interior design interns use design firm:
  • Hired by internationally recognized commercial design firm for duration of internship required by bachelor program.
  • Communicate closely with other design firms regarding projects and materials.

9. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how interior design interns use adobe photoshop:
  • Capture digital photographs of work space and using photo-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop to enhance still shots.
  • Edited and compiled tear sheets using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat.

10. Design Development

Design development is used to refer to a number of positions and skills in a number of different industries. In the architectural world, Design Development is used to refer to an architectural plan that is already halfway or more done but needs further development, alteration, and testing. In the automotive industry, it refers to the skills necessary to create and develop new car, engine, and other designs, as well as to ensure that all designs are safe and effective.

Here's how interior design interns use design development:
  • Measured sites and developed accurate AutoCAD renderings used for custom built-ins and design development and installation.
  • Developed perspective sketches for design development and client presentations.

11. Design Projects

Design projects are used to create a product or service to serve a specific customer or client need. They may entail thinking about the ideas, materials necessary for the idea and the steps that will be followed to realize the idea.

Here's how interior design interns use design projects:
  • Utilized creativity in small design projects with minimal supervision.
  • Assisted architects with residential and commercial interior design projects.

12. Design Process

The process by which a product is formed is referred to as the design process. It requires the conceptualization of what the product may look like in terms of aesthetics, what it will be made of and most importantly, what it will do. A design process puts this process in order so that the creation of the product is seamless and has the least amount of errors and slack while it is being made.

Here's how interior design interns use design process:
  • Facilitated design process by preparing contract documents, presentation boards, and detailed product specifications for financial institutions.
  • Managed client contact throughout entire design process including resolution of problems.

13. Resource Library

Here's how interior design interns use resource library:
  • Maintained design standards through the organization and distribution of material throughout resource library.
  • Construct rendered elevations- Maintain and operate material resource library- Compose AutoCAD drawings

14. FF

FF stands for "finish-to-finish," which refers to a management process in many business. This indicates that one step a process--whether a production line or data analysis--must be finished before the next step can begin. This form of project management isn't found in many business models, however it may be necessary for certain fields such as computer programming.

Here's how interior design interns use ff:
  • Prepared FF & E and finish specifications and schedules as part of the model room Design Development package.
  • Produce FF & E selections and specifications as well as oversee installation and site inspections of various projects.

15. Materials Library

Here's how interior design interns use materials library:
  • Manage meetings with vendors and organization of materials library
  • Managed materials library for a restaurant design-build company.
top-skills

What skills help Interior Design Interns find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on interior design internship resumes?

Digital/Software skills and communication skills. The portfolio evidence of those skills will actually seal the deal.

What soft skills should all interior design internships possess?

Bill Morgan

Coordinator, Undergraduate Program — Interior Design, Lecturer, Interior Design, University of North Texas

-Emotional Intelligence
-Listening
-Time-Management

What hard/technical skills are most important for interior design internships?

Bill Morgan

Coordinator, Undergraduate Program — Interior Design, Lecturer, Interior Design, University of North Texas

-Drawing Proficiency (drawing of all types, includes 3D visualization)
-Technical Proficiency (detailing)
-Project Management

What interior design internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Ph.D.Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Northrop Professor of Interior Design, University of Minnesota

Centering themselves - when "Cancel Culture" and the fear of making a mistake are over-powering decision-making processes, graduates need to be able to examine their reactions to tension and be more aware of their values priorities. With such awareness, they can move toward "Consider Culture," forming impactful coalitions, mediating conflict, and being open to dialogues. With a stronger sense of self, they can embrace humility and a willingness to unlearn exclusionary practices-both on personal and collective levels. They can do that through mindfulness practice, reading the stories of people they know little about, and engaging with difference.

What type of skills will young interior design internships need?

George BrazilGeorge Brazil LinkedIn profile

Interior Architect, SagreraBrazil Design, Inc.

It really depends on the type of design that you want to practice. Universally, I would say strong visual communication skills are a must. Having a strong knowledge of 2D, 3D, and rendering software will take you far when applying for your first job. Hand-in-hand with this knowledge, would be a strong understanding of how things are built, how furniture in made, and the why behind the how. I feel this might be where a lot of institutions let their students down, and it is up to the student to supplement what they learn academically with what they take on themselves, either through their own self-education or through internships. The more you understand the how and the why, the more of an asset you will be to an employer.

What technical skills for an interior design internship stand out to employers?

James AdlerJames Adler LinkedIn profile

Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts, Saint Peter's University

Through my own company. AdlerOaks Music Library, I have engaged artists for concert performances, collaborations, and for recording projects.
(a) First, and foremost, is the quality of the artist to be engaged or hired
(b) Do they possess the performing "chops?"
(c) Has the artist or performer prepared and learned the music, in advance of the first rehearsal, or run-through?
(d) Does he/she/they show up on time?
As they say, one gets a first chance to make a "first impression." The above-listed components will go into a hire.

List of interior design internship skills to add to your resume

Interior design internship skills

The most important skills for an interior design internship resume and required skills for an interior design internship to have include:

  • Revit
  • Sketch
  • Auto CAD
  • SketchUp
  • Design Solutions
  • PowerPoint
  • Space Planning
  • Design Firm
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Design Development
  • Design Projects
  • Design Process
  • Resource Library
  • FF
  • Materials Library
  • Schematic Design
  • Presentation Boards
  • Design Concepts
  • Design Ideas
  • Furniture Selection
  • Construction Administration
  • Material Selection
  • Architectural Drawings
  • Presentation Materials
  • Library Organization
  • Client Presentations
  • Industrial Design
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Design Library
  • Sample Library
  • Design Presentations
  • Furniture Layouts
  • Sales Reps
  • Material Boards
  • Sample Boards
  • Administrative Tasks
  • Residential Projects
  • Mood Boards
  • Order Samples
  • Residential Design
  • Construction Drawings
  • Furniture Specifications
  • Specification Books
  • Product Research
  • Hospitality Projects
  • Finish Materials
  • Client Projects
  • Design Boards
  • Shop Drawings
  • Material Samples

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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