Research may include
- careers in the areas of
- residential interior design
- commercial interior design (e.g., retail, hospitality, institutional, healthcare, office)
- set design
- alternative housing solutions (e.g., houseboats, tiny homes, recreational vehicles, shipping containers)
- textile and/or furniture design
- construction management
- facilities management
- regulation of the residential and commercial interior design industries
- interior design education
- sustainable design segments of the interior design industry
- residential and commercial real estate
- manufacturing and sales
- the duties and responsibilities of professionals in each career
- the education and training requirements for professionals in each career, including Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)-accredited programs
- licensure as a Certified Interior Designer (CID) through the Council for Interior Design Qualifications (CIDQ) or as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate
- the salary range for professionals in each career
- the present and projected demand for workers in each career (labor market data).
Career research should include using resources (e.g., Occupation Outlook Handbook, Directory of Occupational Titles, Guide for Occupational Exploration, International Interior Design Association [IIDA], American Society of Interior Designers [ASID], National Kitchen & Bath Association [NKBA]).
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- What information is available concerning careers in the interior design profession?
- Why is it important to analyze information gathered about careers?
- What is most important to you in choosing a career: family influence, personal attributes, or income potential? Why?
Communication
- What communication skills are necessary for gathering and evaluating career information?
- What communication skills are necessary for a career in this profession?
- How does one evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of a career in interior design?
Leadership
- What leadership qualities are necessary for success in the interior design industry?
- What is an effective decision-making process to use when gathering and evaluating career information?
Management
- What are some Internet resources available to match aptitudes, interests, and abilities with career opportunities?
- What management skills are involved in a search for career information?
- How do housing, interiors, and furnishings-related occupations influence the economy?
Teacher Resources: