Tricia's Blog

2009 Job Market for Interior Designers

I was able to be a part of a wonderful event in Portland.   I was on the committee to plan the annual IIDA/ASID Student Career Day last Saturday. One of the highlights was bringing in an outside speaker Kenneth Roberts with Interior Talent Inc. who discussed skills and requirements for getting an interior design job in this market. 

Here are some of his discussion points that I found most useful:

Expected Job Growth for Interior Designers in 2009
1. Health care
2. Institutional (schools, prisons)
3. Civic/Government
4. International (China, Mexico, South America)

Top Positions Being Hired for Interior Designers in 2009
1. Project Manager
2. CAD and 3D Rendering In-house
3. BIM and Revit
4. Health care and Government

Top Skills Design Firms Look For
1. Project Management
2. Commercial Building Code Knowledge
3. Technology
4. Sales

Have the Internet work for you! 
Great websites that notify you when companies of your interest are hiring:
www.watchthatpage.com
www.googlealerts.com

Don't get discouraged.  No means "Just not right now".

Thanks for a wonderful event sponsors and committee members. I look forward to working on it next year!
~Tricia

New House?

My husband and I have been looking to move for the last 6 months. I know, I know the economy is horrible, but this might be the best time for us to afford a house we would normally not be able to get in to. We would stay in Portland and have found a couple of neighborhoods that we like, but a house we like? Not so lucky! So... we are thinking of the possibility of building.  I know what is involved with building, at least I think I do, and it seems quite daunting. But where else would we get exactly what we are looking for? 

Here is a Building Affordability Checklist from the book "Blueprint Affordable" by Michelle Kodis.

1. Simple Floor Plan - Keep your floor plan as simple and modest as possible.
   
2. Square Footage - Watch your floor plan's footprint.
   
3. Simple Detailing - Design your house to rely on straightforward element vs. those that are more complex.
   
4. Splurge Carefully - Splurge in limited applications
   
5. Materials - Learn to appreciate the inherent elegance of basic and don't be afraid to use materials in unexpected ways.
   
6. Recycle - Incorporate recycled items into your cost.
   
7. Stock Sizes - Opt for off the shelf sizes.
   
8. Go Local - Choose local available materials (such as woods) will lower shipping costs.
9. Finishing - If you can leave it exposed, do so.
   
10. Climates - Study your building site's climate and weather pattern and focus on a plan that shields the home from the elements.
    
11. Basement - If you can omit a basement, do so, you'll save thousands in excavation costs.
    
12. Long-term Planning - Choose materials for their durability and life-span.
    
13. Utilities - Create a floor plan that encourages natural ventilation and that is economical to heat.
    
14. Do it Yourself - If you can be your own contractor great, otherwise work closely with your contractor to make material decisions or save in labor.
    
15. Research - Research the materials and finishes you want. Knowledge is power!