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Interior designer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.,
Bill Morgan
Interior designer example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical interior designer skills. We ranked the top skills for interior designers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.6% of interior designer resumes contained revit as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an interior designer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 interior designer 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 designers use revit:
  • Prepare 3D renderings utilizing REVIT and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Completed all construction documents and computer renderings in Revit Architecture.

2. 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 designers use space planning:
  • Perform client interviews to identify project objectives, conduct field investigation, inventory evaluation, and space planning requirements.
  • Completed major renovation for Nuclear Regulatory Commission involving suite space planning, building design and construction of offices.

3. Sketch

Here's how interior designers use sketch:
  • Use of sketch up pro for visual platform that includes perspectives, elevations, floor plans and reflected ceiling plans.
  • Prepared and plotted large scale architectural and interior design drawings based on technical knowledge, given information and/or sketch drawings.

4. Design Concepts

Here's how interior designers use design concepts:
  • Reviewed pricing, materials and customization for projects and provided design support for completion/execution of design concepts.
  • Collaborated with production engineers to ensure production components maintained the intent of the original design concepts.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how interior designers use customer service:
  • Provide direction and leadership for all responsibilities related to accounts receivable, customer service and operations of a privately owned company.
  • Renovated office facility consisting of 1.5k workstations, aiding in collaboration and resulting in quick problem-solving and improved customer service.

6. 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 designers 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.

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7. SketchUp

Here's how interior designers use sketchup:
  • Generated exterior outlooks for upcoming residential and commercial buildings on SketchUp to demonstrate a 3D model for clients.
  • Developed 3D models and renderings from draft to final presentation in SketchUp and 3Dream.

8. Healthcare

Healthcare is the maintenance or improvement of a person's health by the diagnosis and treatment of a person's injury, illness, or any other disease. Healthcare is a basic necessity of human life and is the responsibility of the country's government to ensure that each person gets healthcare. Providing healthcare is the job of certified health professionals that includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other physicians. Pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, dentistry, therapy, and health training all come under healthcare. Healthcare plays a vital role in the country's economy and its development.

Here's how interior designers use healthcare:
  • Consult on design projects including multiple unit residential developments, education, healthcare and hospitality.
  • Created all interior design documents for healthcare facility and educational projects.

9. 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 designers use design development:
  • Assisted project architect in all phases of design development and production of construction documents, including review and coordination of specifications.
  • Major Functions: Produced schematic drawings, construction documents with finish selections and contributed to design development and modifications.

10. 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 designers use design solutions:
  • Converted visitors into customers though implementation of design solutions utilizing key products to match sales objectives while using IKEA business concepts.
  • Collaborated with principal on design solutions and development of commercial interiors for design build and turnkey projects.

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 designers use design projects:
  • Interviewed new clients to gather information related to interior design projects; subsequently, coordinated information and participated in project planning.
  • Prepare construction documents and develop contract specifications for Commercial, Federal and Private Industry interior design projects.

12. Schematic Design

Schematic design is the initial stage of the five stages of an architectural project. The schematic design aims at producing a rough drawing of the site plan, floor plan, etc.

Here's how interior designers use schematic design:
  • Worked with corporate & governmental agency to develop schematic design through construction documents as well as final stage of construction administration.
  • Involved with programming, schematic design, construction and installation documents, marketing of design services and installation administration.

13. 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 designers use design process:
  • Followed up with the space planning and interior design process, including alteration/installation inspection, move coordination and post occupancy evaluations.
  • Worked with on-site foreman and subcontractors to ensure quality execution of all work orders throughout design process including problem resolution.

14. Visualization

Here's how interior designers use visualization:
  • Hand drafting design for built in cabinets and kitchen backsplash and bath design provided for estimation and visualization.
  • Project designer; visualization; project coordination.

15. Design Ideas

Here's how interior designers use design ideas:
  • Developed initial design ideas for building stone installations and adapted existing designs and products for specialized purposes.
  • Provided innovative and creative design ideas to prospective clients in residential and commercial areas.
top-skills

What skills help Interior Designers find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on interior designer resumes?

Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The retail industry is robust and requires many skills. Content and industry-related knowledge are essential, including comfort with computer applications like Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Excel. Beyond knowledge of the industry, job candidates need excellent communication skills in written and oral forms. It's also highly recommended that job candidates have work experience in their area of interest, which could include an internship, job shadow, or part-time position.

What soft skills should all interior designers 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 designers?

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 designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dak Kopec Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Design thinking. This can be done by looking for certificates or attending a series of seminars. The COVID-19 virus has opened up numerous opportunities to shape an Interior Designer's scope. Using Design Thinking as a means to solve problems will enhance a person's marketability.

Additionally, I would recommend learning about disease transmission and pathology. With a stronger foundation in these areas, the interior designer will be better equipped to address the infection control expectations that will likely be required of future Interior Designers.

What type of skills will young interior designers 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 designer stand out to employers?

Jon Burley Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Michigan State University

Of course, everything digital is rewarded at an entry level. But designing digitally is just a tool/medium. It does not make good design, just pretty pictures. The short-coming of the digital revolution is that one can fake good design. Being able to command software does not mean one is a designer. Softiems student are too focused upon software and not design. The design process, analytical and critical thinking skills are still the most important, as they remain since the time of Vitruvius. Software is quickly outdated. To keep one's job, one must have the skills of a designer, not a button pusher.

List of interior designer skills to add to your resume

Interior designer skills

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

  • Revit
  • Space Planning
  • Sketch
  • Design Concepts
  • Customer Service
  • FF
  • SketchUp
  • Healthcare
  • Design Development
  • Design Solutions
  • Design Projects
  • Schematic Design
  • Design Process
  • Visualization
  • Design Ideas
  • Construction Administration
  • Auto CAD
  • Project Management
  • Design Intent
  • Shop Drawings
  • PowerPoint
  • Design Services
  • Design Firm
  • Product Knowledge
  • Design Presentations
  • Custom Furniture
  • Client Presentations
  • Construction Drawings
  • Real Estate
  • Furniture Layouts
  • Material Selection
  • Deltek Vision
  • Design Studio
  • Cost Estimates
  • Presentation Boards
  • Furniture Specifications
  • Color Schemes
  • Environmental Design
  • Resource Library
  • Team Coordination
  • Residential Projects
  • Aided Design
  • Client Relations
  • Residential Design
  • Industrial Design
  • Furniture Design
  • SF
  • Material Boards

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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