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Interior designer/project manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted experts
Denise Rush,
Bill Morgan
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical interior designer/project manager skills. We ranked the top skills for interior designer/project managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of interior designer/project manager resumes contained revit as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an interior designer/project manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 interior designer/project manager 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 designer/project managers use revit:
  • Utilized REVIT to create a BIM model of the house before construction.
  • Use AutoCAD & REVIT to draft floor plans and elevations.

2. 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 designer/project managers use design projects:
  • Managed Construction Administration on Commercial Interior Design projects, maintaining schedules and budgets with General Contractors and Engineering Consultants.
  • Managed International design projects from concept to installation.

3. Building Codes

A building code is a requirement or standard for construction purposes. These codes will serve as the model and set of rules to obtain and approve before starting a project. The goal of this standard is to ensure the safety and protection of both the clients and workers. it is usually related to structures and buildings.

Here's how interior designer/project managers use building codes:
  • Space planning and construction documents for residential projects incorporating applicable building codes.
  • Detailed AutoCAD drawings according to ADA and California Building Codes, researched and specified materials, products and accessories.

4. Design Services

Here's how interior designer/project managers use design services:
  • Managed construction activities for the company by providing general contracting, construction management and design services.
  • Provided complete design services, including consultation, product selection, specification and project management.

5. Sketch

Here's how interior designer/project managers use sketch:
  • Designed interior and exterior commercial and residential construction projects utilizing digital sketch software AutoCAD.
  • Performed work in areas of HVAC, Construction Documents, Walk site, Sketch and Design any areas to be revised.

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 designer/project managers use ff:
  • Specified FF & E and coordinated furniture installations.
  • Prepared FF & E and finish specifications and schedules as part of the model room Design Development package.

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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 designer/project managers use space planning:
  • Develop and execute design solutions including space planning, design development, construction documents, and detailing for interior architecture projects.
  • Project management from conception to completion Construction & Construction Documents Construction document preparation and space planning.

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 designer/project managers use design firm:
  • Interviewed and retained potential architectural and interior design firms for future and design programs.
  • Organized & managed business operations for this design firm

9. Auto CAD

Here's how interior designer/project managers use auto cad:
  • Generated auto cad drawings and assisted clients with interior finishes, fixtures, kitchen and bath cabinet selections.
  • Prepared complete Architectural Documents and Project Managed the build of Aladdin's Castle stores, using Auto Cad.

10. General Contractors

A general contractor is a person who has the job of overseeing a construction project after a contract has been signed between the property owner and the contractor. A general contractor is also called a direct contractor and provides all of the labor, material, equipment like tools, and transport. Most of the time, a general contractor also hires multiple subcontractors to do all or different parts of the construction work.

Here's how interior designer/project managers use general contractors:
  • Awarded contracts to architectural firms, general contractors and furniture dealerships.
  • Participated in construction progress meetings with general contractors and sub-consultants.

11. Manage Projects

Here's how interior designer/project managers use manage projects:
  • Manage projects and office including all follow-up, administrative duties, day-to-day responsibilities.
  • Collaborated with members of the team to work and manage projects.

12. Construction Administration

Here's how interior designer/project managers use construction administration:
  • Developed proposal presentations, bidding procurement, site selection, construction administration, schematic design, design development and production.
  • Implemented schematic, design development and construction documents as well as construction administration.

13. Design Concepts

Here's how interior designer/project managers use design concepts:
  • Originated and developed creative design concepts for commercial and residential spaces.
  • Developed interior design concepts and prepared interior systems and furniture.

14. 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 designer/project managers use design development:
  • Developed construction details for projects during the design development and construction document phases.
  • Helped shape the Design Development team into a department who became known to move projects through on time and on budget.

15. Project Scope

Here's how interior designer/project managers use project scope:
  • Provided fast-track management and scheduling within a design/build project scope.
  • Maintain project scope through regular site visits, emails, change orders, etc;.
top-skills

What skills help Interior Designer/Project Managers 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/project manager resumes?

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

What soft skills should all interior designer/project managers 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 designer/project managers?

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/project manager 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 designer/project managers 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/project manager 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/project manager skills to add to your resume

Interior designer/project manager skills

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

  • Revit
  • Design Projects
  • Building Codes
  • Design Services
  • Sketch
  • FF
  • Space Planning
  • Design Firm
  • Auto CAD
  • General Contractors
  • Manage Projects
  • Construction Administration
  • Design Concepts
  • Design Development
  • Project Scope
  • Design Solutions
  • Real Estate
  • Leed
  • Design Process
  • Project Budget
  • Shop Drawings
  • Design Presentations
  • Custom Furniture
  • Architectural Drawings
  • Construction Drawings
  • Corporate Projects
  • Design Intent
  • Schematic Design
  • Design Ideas
  • Client Relations
  • Furniture Layouts
  • Construction Projects
  • Healthcare
  • Renovation Projects
  • RFI
  • Team Coordination
  • Square Feet
  • Environmental Design
  • Construction Management
  • Client Presentations
  • RFP
  • Cost Estimates
  • Furniture Specifications
  • Residential Projects
  • Presentation Boards
  • Specification Writing
  • Design Boards
  • Material Selection
  • Contract Negotiations
  • Furniture Selection

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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