Interior designers are highly qualified professionals who have a wide range of skills, including engineering, business and client management skills, art and decorating, and the ability to set and follow budgets. Interior designers may work in firms or as independent contractors, for clients with commercial or residential design and decorating needs. On a daily basis, interior designers must analyze a variety of physical and conceptual factors, like space, lighting, materials, budget, client needs, practicality and function, engineering, design safety and more. Interior designers who work for themselves must also have a lot of business skills, like accounting, marketing, finance and entrepreneurship. All interior designers must be able to work well with diverse groups of people and act as a go-between for clients, engineers, decorators, vendors and other professionals. They draw up plans with clients, find out how to meet the financial and aesthetic needs of clients, locate the correct decorative items and functional items for the space, and then arrange the space so that it satisfies the customer or organization for which they are designing. While interior designers and interior design firms have offices, they are required to go on location to analyze space, find materials and even visit construction sites, depending on their exact job description.

Interior designers must have at least an associate’s degree if they want to secure the top jobs, but a bachelor’s degree is usually required. During school, students can use internships to gain real-world experience to supplement their classroom knowledge of the field, and apprenticeships are common for graduate students and for those who have just graduated and are new to the workforce. Pursuing a certification or membership into a professional organization can help recent graduates earn top jobs in interior design.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for interior designers is competitive, but the industry is supposed to grow at a rate that is faster than average. The average median salary for interior designers in 2006 was between $31,830 and $57,230. Those who worked in architectural and engineering design services earned an average of $46,750. Independent contractors, however, can earn more or less depending on their experience, geographic location, number of clientele and type of clientele. Large commercial projects pay more than individual homeowner projects, for example.

Top Online Programs

A.A. in Information Technology B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communications	University of Phoenix – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – The University of Phoenix prepares students for the rapidly evolving multi-million dollar industry of World Wide Web designing and interactive media. The programs offered at the institute teaches students everything from developing their skills in drawing and design to learning programming and scripting techniques.
B.F.A. in Web Design A.A.B.A. in Visual Communications B.F.A. in Digital Design	American InterContinental University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – For those interested in the exciting career of web design, American InterContinental Universitye will help them prepare with their staff of knowledgeable and skilled professionals who have had prior experience working in the web design industry. The program is a great choice for those seeking to pursue a career in web design, web development, graphic design, graphic art, or web publications designer.
B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communication A.A.S. in Information Technology	Kaplan University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Kaplan University offers a web design degree that could be completed in as few as 12 months. This allows students to earn their degree at an accelerated pace and be on their way to advancing in their career in web design.
B.S. in Web Design A.S. in Web Design Diploma in Web Design	The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - The Art Institute of Pittsburgh provides students with the opportunity to learn the latest software and programming applications to compete in the highly competitive, yet rewarding, web design industry. They place special emphasis on the practical application of web development skills and how to effectively use them for organizations.
B.A. in Visual Communications B.A. in Art B.A. in Art History	Ashford University – Bachelor's Degree - Dedicated to helping intellectual, professional, and creative individuals, Ashford University offers one of the best web design degrees online. Their web design courses are very convenient and achieveablefor students who have restricting schedules.
A.S. in Web Graphic Design B.C.I.S. in Web Development B.C.I.S. in Web Game Programming	DeVry University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – DeVry University has helped thousands of students apply practical skills to produce high-quality graphics and develop many types of graphic media. They are ideal for many students because of their affordable and convenient programs available online.
A.S. in Web Design B.F.A. in Graphic Design B.A. in Fashion Merchandising	International Academy of Design & Technology – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Since 1977, the International Academy of Design and Technology Online has helped thousands of students prepare for a career in which their creativity and talents are respected and valued. Their affordable courses allow individuals with a passion for web design to advance in their career.
B.S. in Web Design & Multimedia B.S. in Visual Communications A.S. in Graphic Design & Multimedia	Westwood College – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – Westwood College's programs consists of courses in design theory, web design, imaging and advanced web technology to help students build valuable portfolios for potential employers. They offer their programs completely online, allowing flexibility for working individuals or individuals with other time contraints.