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What does an interior designer/project manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Ph.D.

An Interior Designer/Project Manager guides, supports, and manages the designers intern duties. They ensure the accurate preparation of project construction documents.

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Interior designer/project manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real interior designer/project manager resumes:

  • Manage design for corporations, churches, educational facilities and healthcare organizations
  • Lead efforts to redesign and convert existing self-pace and instructor-le course materials into eLearning and web-base formats.
  • Produce schematic drawings and renderings in Revit for proposal packages, CD sets, and shop drawings.
  • Design interior and exterior commercial and residential construction projects utilizing digital sketch software AutoCAD.
  • Design, modele and render graphically intensive exteriors and interior environments and animations utilizing the latest in visualization technology.
  • Specialize in the areas of corporate, education, and healthcare design.
  • Operate ACAD MEP and Revit MEP.
  • Lead the integration of BIM technologies in the office.
  • Use of SolidWorks and AutoCAD and knowledge of mechanical components and machining practices.
  • Solicit and compare engineering proposals for providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services.
  • Use of SolidWorks and AutoCAD and knowledge of mechanical components and machining practices are key for this position.
  • Incorporate MATLAB and an understanding of thermodynamic systems for analysis in system and component efficiency.

Interior designer/project manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Interior Designer/Project Managers are proficient in Revit, Design Projects, and Building Codes. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Problem-solving skills, and Visualization.

We break down the percentage of Interior Designer/Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Revit, 16%

    Utilized REVIT to create a BIM model of the house before construction.

  • Design Projects, 11%

    Managed Construction Administration on Commercial Interior Design projects, maintaining schedules and budgets with General Contractors and Engineering Consultants.

  • Building Codes, 8%

    Space planning and construction documents for residential projects incorporating applicable building codes.

  • Design Services, 6%

    Managed construction activities for the company by providing general contracting, construction management and design services.

  • Sketch, 5%

    Designed interior and exterior commercial and residential construction projects utilizing digital sketch software AutoCAD.

  • FF, 4%

    Specified FF & E and coordinated furniture installations.

Most interior designer/project managers use their skills in "revit," "design projects," and "building codes" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential interior designer/project manager responsibilities here:

Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an interior designer/project manager to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "interior designers need to be precise in measuring interior spaces and creating drawings, so that their drawings can be used by workers such as engineers or other designers." Interior designer/project managers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "review and detail shop drawings for construction plans and obtain client's approval. "

Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform interior designer/project manager duties is problem-solving skills. Interior designer/project managers responsibilities require that "interior designers must address challenges, such as construction delays or unavailability of certain materials, while keeping the project on time and within budget." Interior designer/project managers also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "foster positive client relations by continually evaluating projects and inputting recommendations or solutions. "

Visualization. interior designer/project managers are also known for visualization, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to interior designer/project manager responsibilities, because "interior designers need a strong sense of proportion and visual awareness in order to understand how the pieces of a design will fit together to create the intended environment." An interior designer/project manager resume example shows how visualization is used in the workplace: "utilized visualization and space management skills in development process. "

Artistic ability. For certain interior designer/project manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "artistic ability." The day-to-day duties of an interior designer/project manager rely on this skill, as "interior designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing designs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what interior designer/project managers do: "create design drawings and work with construction staff to revise and adapt based upon production, artistic or budgetary needs. "

Creativity. Another crucial skill for an interior designer/project manager to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what interior designer/project managers relies on this skill, since "interior designers need to be imaginative in selecting furnishings and fabrics and in creating functional spaces that serve the client’s needs and fit the client’s lifestyle." How this skill relates to interior designer/project manager duties can be seen in an example from an interior designer/project manager resume snippet: "submitted accurate, timely creative and build able custom construction drawings. "

See the full list of interior designer/project manager skills

Choose from 10+ customizable interior designer/project manager resume templates

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Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume
Interior Designer/Project Manager Resume

Compare different interior designer/project managers

Interior designer/project manager vs. Decorating consultant

A design specialist is responsible for creating engaging visual images and digital content to improve customers' brand awareness about the organization's products and services. Design specialists may also work for media production, creating graphic animations for viewers depending on production requirements and media demands. A design specialist must have excellent knowledge of utilizing various software tools and programs, coordinating with the whole design team on adjusting plans, improving layouts according to budget limitations, and submitting deliverables within the set deadlines.

We looked at the average interior designer/project manager salary and compared it with the wages of a decorating consultant. Generally speaking, decorating consultants are paid $33,734 lower than interior designer/project managers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between interior designer/project managers and decorating consultants are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like design services, sketch, and space planning.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, interior designer/project manager responsibilities require skills like "revit," "design projects," "building codes," and "ff." Meanwhile a typical decorating consultant has skills in areas such as "customer service," "in-home sales," "clients homes," and "design consultations." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Decorating consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than interior designer/project managers. In fact, decorating consultants are 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Interior designer/project manager vs. Design specialist

As the name entails, kitchen and bath designers design kitchens and bathrooms using their interior design skills and knowledge of space, colors, lighting, and textures. They typically begin working on their projects by doing a tour and talking to clients to better understand their requirements. Their typical tasks may include designing and preparing a plan layout, coordinating the purchase of materials, and developing and implementing marketing programs. Kitchen and bathroom designers may also conduct workshops and seminars and participate in safety meetings.

On average, design specialists earn a $16,197 lower salary than interior designer/project managers a year.A few skills overlap for interior designer/project managers and design specialists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "design projects," "design services," and "sketch. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, interior designer/project manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "revit," "building codes," "ff," and "design firm." Meanwhile, a design specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "cad," "product knowledge," and "adobe creative suite." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Design specialists earn similar levels of education than interior designer/project managers in general. They're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for interior designer/project managers in the next 3-5 years?

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

Northrop Professor of Interior Design, University of Minnesota

Face recognition and tracking will impact how we use public spaces and how we leverage technology to fight against a pandemic.

Interior designer/project manager vs. Kitchen and bath designer

A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences. Designers are creative thinkers with a great eye to configure the skeletal and structural properties of the targeted output. They work in several fields, such as fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. In spite of the variety of professionals in the design industry, all of them are artistic, passionate, inspiring, and emotionally connected to their projects and brands.

On average, kitchen and bath designers earn lower salaries than interior designer/project managers, with a $20,708 difference per year.By looking over several interior designer/project managers and kitchen and bath designers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "design projects," "design services," and "sketch." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an interior designer/project manager is likely to be skilled in "revit," "building codes," "ff," and "design firm," while a typical kitchen and bath designer is skilled in "project management," "customer satisfaction," "custom cabinets," and "design software."

Kitchen and bath designers make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $58,049. On the other hand, interior designer/project managers are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $93,087.Most kitchen and bath designers achieve a lower degree level compared to interior designer/project managers. For example, they're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Interior designer/project manager vs. Designer

Designers average a lower salary than the annual salary of interior designer/project managers. The difference is about $6,767 per year.While both interior designer/project managers and designers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like revit, design projects, and sketch, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "building codes," "design services," "design firm," and "general contractors" are skills that commonly show up on interior designer/project manager resumes. On the other hand, designers use skills like customer service, graphic design, css, and html on their resumes.designers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $87,754. For comparison, interior designer/project managers earn the highest salary in the construction industry.designers reach similar levels of education compared to interior designer/project managers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of interior designer/project manager

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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