These are the traits of the world's top interior designers
If you think a passion for design is all you need to succeed in the interior design industry, then think again.
In fact, very little about running an interior design business is actually about design itself.
Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, Kelly Hoppen and other well-renowned designers possess a unique combination of creativity, technical expertise and business acumen.
But what exactly are the traits that help them stand out in the industry?
In this post I share the common traits and characteristics that define the world's top interior designers and how these traits contribute to their success.
As you read through the list think about how many of these traits you have and where you have gaps you may need to fill.
Creativity
The top interior designers in the industry think creatively and come up with unique and innovative designs that meet their clients' needs.
They don't copy trends or do what everyone else is doing.
They are constantly evolving and updating their design aesthetic to stay relevant in the industry.
They understand the importance of balancing creativity with practicality to create functional spaces that are also aesthetically appealing.
They have a strong ability to think outside the box and come up with their own solutions to design challenges.
They are open to new ideas and are not afraid to take risks in their designs.
They have a good understanding of different design styles and are able to blend different elements.
They can see potential in unlikely spaces.
They often incorporate unexpected elements into their designs or use materials in different ways than expected.
They are able to think creatively about storage and functional solutions in their designs.
They are able to take a client's vision and add their own creative touch.
They draw inspiration from all aspects of life, nature, art, technology and culture (to do this they are always learning and finding new sources of inspiration - see below).
Attention to detail
Top interior designers pay close attention to detail in all aspects of their projects.
They are fanatical about finishes and quality.
They carefully select every element, from the smallest piece of hardware to the largest piece of furniture - nothing happens by chance.
They pay as much attention to the functionality as they do to aesthetics. The way a space works for the end user is just as important as how it looks.
They know their design history and pay attention to the historical context of a space as they design.
They pay close attention to lighting
Top designers pay attention to both natural and artificial lighting and make sure there are layers to their lighting schemes.
They pay attention to the natural light that enters a space and use it to their advantage by space planning in a way that maximises the light.
They use window treatments such as curtains/drapes, blinds and shades to control the amount of light that comes in - e.g. by adding sheer curtains to filter harsh sunlight.
They use a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting to create a layered lighting design.
They select light fixtures such as pendants, wall lights (sconces) and table lamps that complement the style of the space.
They make use of tools such as dimmer switches to control the intensity of the light.
Good communication skills
They are skilled at communicating with clients, builders/contractors and other professionals in order to ensure that their designs are executed properly.
They know that each stakeholder needs a different communication style (e.g. the way they talk to clients is different to how they communicate with architects, which is different again to how they would communicate with builders/contractors) - i.e. they learn how to communicate effectively with all sorts of people.
They know how to listen actively to help them understand clients' specific needs and preferences (i.e. they listen more than they speak)
They are skilled at translating their design concepts and ideas into presentations such as concepts, floor plans, 3D renderings and mood boards for clients to easily understand.
They have a strong understanding of local building codes and regulations to ensure all projects are compliant.
Strong organisational skills
Top interior designers are able to manage multiple projects and tasks at once, often under tight deadlines.
They have the skills to effectively manage budgets and timelines.
They are able to manage their time (and their team) effectively to meet deadlines.
They have a good understanding of project management tools and techniques and use them to plan, execute, and track the progress of projects.
They are able to plan, organise and oversee all aspects of a project, including design, procurement, and installation.
They have a good understanding of construction processes and techniques so they can factor these into their designs.
They have a high attention to detail and are able to identify and track small but critical details that can affect the project outcome.
They are able to manage and oversee large amounts of information and data, such as design plans, budgets and schedules.
They are able to follow up on tasks assigned to team members and ensure that everyone is on track with their work.
They are able to manage stress and pressure while staying focused on the task at hand. Being an interior designer is more stressful than most people realise!
They have strong problem-solving skills to effectively navigate unexpected issues that will definitely arise during a project.
Flexibility
Top interior designers are able to adapt to changing client needs and preferences, as well as work with a variety of design styles and budgets.
They also know that mistakes and issues always happen during projects and are flexible with how they problem-solve these issues.
They are able to think on their feet and make quick decisions.
They are able to adjust their design plans as needed during the project to accommodate any changes or unforeseen issues that may arise.
They are open to feedback and willing to make changes to their designs based on input from clients or other professionals involved in the project.
They are able to work within different budgets and find creative solutions to stay within budget constraints.
They are able to manage and accommodate multiple projects at once and adjust their schedules as needed.
They are able to be creative and come up with new solutions for difficult design challenges.
A strong personal brand
Top interior designers have a strong personal brand that sets them apart from the competition and helps them to attract and retain clients.
This brand is built on a combination of the designers’ unique style, reputation and expertise.
But their strong personal brands also come as a result of building a reputation for quality work, excellent customer service and a track record of delivering successful projects.
Top interior designers also leverage their personal brand through social media, their website and via other digital platforms.
They aren’t afraid to put themselves out into the world or promote their work.
Business acumen
Top interior designers have a strong understanding of business principles including marketing, financial management and project management.
They realise that this is at least 50% of their job - probably more.
They set revenue targets so they know what they are working towards each month, quarter and year.
They understand the importance of building and maintaining a strong client base and use effective marketing strategies to attract new clients and retain existing ones.
They are able to effectively manage their finances, including creating budgets, tracking expenses, and forecasting revenue.
They understand the importance of project management and use tools and techniques to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
They have a good understanding of legal and regulatory issues related to their business and take steps to ensure compliance.
They are able to read financial statements and make data-driven decisions.
Passion for design + inspiration from everywhere
Top interior designers are driven by a deep passion for design.
They find inspiration everywhere and are always coming up with new ideas based on what they see in the world around them. This is how their designs don't get boring or stale.
They have a strong understanding of design history and use this knowledge to inform their work.
They are constantly seeking out new and innovative design ideas and materials to incorporate into their projects.
They are passionate about creating unique spaces for their clients - they don’t copy trends.
They experiment with different design elements and push traditional boundaries.
They have a strong sense of style and are able to translate this into their designs.
They are motivated to use their creativity to make a positive impact on their clients and their surroundings.
A lifelong love of learning
One final trait is they never stop learning.
They are always seeking out new information, trends and techniques in design.
They keep themselves updated with the latest design software and technology.
They attend seminars, workshops and conferences to stay current on industry trends and best practices.
They have a strong understanding of design history and use this knowledge to inform their work. They research more if they don’t know.
They read design books, magazines and blogs to stay current with design trends.
They have a strong understanding of the latest building codes, regulations and standards and stay up to date with changes.
They are always trying to learn more about business management, finance and marketing so they can keep growing their business.
They stay up to date with the latest materials and products available in the market. Often this is by building strong industry connections.
They are constantly learning about new design methodologies and philosophies.
They seek feedback from clients, colleagues and mentors to improve their skills.
Overall top designers are continually developing their knowledge and skills in both design and how to run their business.
When you lay it out like this you can see that it’s not all that easy to become a top interior designer - it takes a lot more than just a passion for design!
Thanks for reading and catch you in my next post :)
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
Courses and Templates for Designers and Architects
DO YOU WANT TO….
Improve your professionalism?
Find more clients?
Bring in more revenue?
Create better systems and processes?
Then check out my business courses and templates for designers and architects.
These courses and templates leave you with work done - not just a long list of things you need to do next. We have a really strong focus on taking action and getting things created that improve your business.
