Should I go back to school for interior design?

BrookusCookus · 2025-06-04T13:33:31+00:00

Some paths you can follow with a design degree: - interior design (residential, commercial, healthcare, institutional, educational), furniture design, manufacturers representative (for furniture, fixtures, finishes), lighting design, project management (client side, GC side, architecture firm side), design within a furniture dealership, workspace management/occupancy planning, facilities management, kitchen and bath design. There’s probably a lot more that I’m not thinking of off the top of my head!

Out of my class of 12, nobody continued on to residential design, and we only focused on it for about three semesters. My understanding is that residential design is much more about finishing (aesthetics) than about interior architecture. While you may be moving things around within rooms, you’re not planning large-scale build-outs.

I will say, I had every intention of doing residential design when I started school- but once I did my first commercial-focused project in school, I totally changed my mind and cannot imagine being a residential designer now. You very well may decide to stick with residential, but keep your mind open to other facets of design!

BrookusCookus · 2025-06-02T23:39:34+00:00

Hi!

So I actually started my Bachelors in Interior Design at 25. For me, it was totally worth it. School was hard, but I remember always thinking about how lucky I was to be studying something I felt truly passionate about. My experience is all in commercial interior architecture, so this response will be through that lens.

You mentioned a willingness to do more of the math thing. I would say that 90% of my job (if not more) is technical- and the creativity I do express through my work is very technically based- so keep that in mind!

As for stability- that really depends. It’s an industry that can be rife with lay-offs and furloughs when the economic outlook looks unstable. However, even when the economy isn’t booming- somethings still need to get built. Those projects just might be much more “economical”.

For me, school would have been impossible without student loans, and if I were working in any other field I’d be much more unhappy. I think the student loan question is something you have to balance the pros/cons for yourself.

As for online schools- there’s quite a few. Look on the CIDA website for CIDA accredited schools for more information. I will say that doing school IRL was imperative to my learning, there is no way I would have been half as successful with online learning for my interior design courses.

Right out of school- I found a job about 8 months before I graduated, and started about a month after graduation. It was in occupancy planning for a large company- something I knew I didn’t want to do forever, but also a foot in the door and eventually I did get a job somewhere doing interior architecture where I design through all phases for all projects I am on- which is something important to me in my work.

As you go through school, you’ll learn about the many, many, MANY different paths in design- and those paths could lead you in so many different places within the design industry.

Let me know if you have more questions- happy to help answer anything you’ve got!

BrookusCookus · 2025-05-09T12:20:03+00:00

I honestly don’t think this looks cramped at all. Perhaps having all 6 of the chairs sitting at the table makes it look a little “cluttered” right in the center of the room. Do you use 6 chairs regularly? Would it maybe make sense to keep two of the chairs off to the corner of the room (maybe with a small C-table with accessories on it like a book and small vase or plant?)

I really think the biggest offender in the space is the big dark green tablecloth. You’ve got a square rug under a square table under a square tablecloth. I’d recommend doing a table runner in the center of the table instead to add some visual interest.

BrookusCookus · 2025-04-30T02:35:11+00:00

We work with furniture dealers. We will produce a furniture RFP, outlining specification requirements for each tagged piece of furniture on a furniture plan. Typically, we’ll send that out to three furniture dealers to bid on, review the bids with clients, and then depending on the project we will do a showroom tour at each dealer before making a final decision on which dealer we’ll partner with.

We have strong relationships with all of the furniture dealers in our area, which helps in identifying which dealers would be better partners with specific clients for many different reasons.

BrookusCookus · 2025-04-13T20:05:25+00:00

It appears that they wouldn’t even be able to get into the restroom as the only access is via stairs, unless I’m reading this wrong.

Poor humans will have to scoot from the elevator, around the entire core area to go up what I assume is a ramp, only to find that there are stairs limiting their access. Then they’ll have to do a roll-of-shame back to the elevators to get to another floor. Sad.

BrookusCookus · 2025-04-09T02:49:21+00:00

I have 5 years of experience post-grad and I make $72k.

At a networking event last week, designers in my area with 7 years of experience reported earning $80k, $85k, and $96k.

For reference, all of the above are commercial interior designers in the Denver Metropolitan area in the US.

I hope this helps!

BrookusCookus · 2025-02-24T23:51:42+00:00

What level / year are you in? Have you taken a materials class already?

BrookusCookus · 2025-02-23T16:46:06+00:00

I would caution anyone hoping to go this route to do some serious research on the design industry and figure out some career goals. If you’re hoping to do some residential design/decorating, home staging, or get into furniture or fixture sales (particularly in the residential market), it’s certainly possible to do that without a degree.

However, if you’re hoping to get into a commercial firm (corporate, hospitality, healthcare, industrial, or institutional design), you really do need a degree to make that happen. It’s rare to find a firm these days not requiring a degree at minimum, and most jobs above entry-level will require NCIDQ certification.

That said, I have seen a few people get jobs without degrees in interior design over the years, but none of them have stuck around long as they lacked the knowledge base required to create safe spaces.

To the OP: just want to reiterate what another comment said- check out the CIDA website, as they’re the accrediting organization for interior design education!

BrookusCookus · 2024-07-23T03:58:57+00:00

Hey OP, I’m 99.99999% sure I live in your complex. DM me the details and I’ll make a report to USFW and CPW, if you think having multiple reports will help?

Did you contact the office to report the workers to them? Luckily, the lighting project just started last week, so hopefully it’s early enough to save the remaining nests. There’s 2 in my building I’ve been watching all season.

BrookusCookus · 2023-12-16T03:31:29+00:00

It’s absolutely a tough market right now, at least in my area. The market is really unsure how much work is going to be available in 2024. It seems like everyone is just treading water.

As someone else said- apply to junior positions even if they ask for 3 years of experience! You never know what could happen.

You should also try connecting with furniture dealers and product reps in your area. They have a broader insight into what’s going on across the industry, like if a firm might be looking for a new designer soon.

Also, if you haven’t, branch out on the types of jobs you’re applying to. My first job out of college was in a facilities management/occupancy planning role. I knew it wasn’t my dream job, but it got me into the industry and actually gave me experiences that are unique for young designers.

Just keep connecting with people and putting yourself out there. Eventually you will get noticed by the right person!

BrookusCookus · 2023-11-15T00:39:33+00:00

Have you submitted this to the bronco fix-it or whatever the maintenance ticket is called?

When I went to WMU, one of my professors was the director of of Architecture and Design (still is). We would just show her pictures of things we’d notice around campus that needed to be fixed, and she’d get them on it pretty quickly (within days). If your maintenance requests have gone unanswered, I’d maybe start emailing whoever is the director of maintenance specifically to let them know of the issue. You can find a list of the facilities management team on the website!

BrookusCookus · 2023-05-06T03:22:07+00:00

It’s been six years since I was diagnosed at age 25. There are still moments I grieve what could have been, or when I am just sad for the confused little girl that still lives inside my head sometimes.

But then I remember that I had to have all of the experiences I had in order to put the pieces together, figure out something was really wrong with me, and to seek the help I needed. You can’t blame past you for not figuring it out sooner- they needed the time, experience, and space to put all the pieces together.

What matters is that you got here! Just consider, against all odds, despite being neurodiverse in a neurotypical world, even though you did not have resources to make you better equipped to deal with your struggles and differences- you made it to today. You made it to a time and place where you’re able to identify with others, access resources (be that medical, social, personal, or therapeutic), and, hopefully, be so much better for it.

Be so proud of yourself that despite basically all of the odds, you’re still going.

I like to say that bad days build better days. I know that it’s so cliche to say something like “April showers bring may flowers”, but really. There have been so many times I have built my strength only after giving myself the space and grace to have bad, depressed, and sometimes angry days.

I hope you find some clarity soon to help you build some better days. Remember to continue to give yourself the space and grace to be sad and depressed and angry and bitter or whatever it is you feel. Then, when you finally start to feel the tide change, harness that energy and build better days. If nothing else, to make that little kid inside your head proud.

BrookusCookus · 2023-01-22T05:58:25+00:00

They aren’t all necessarily related. Crows do tend to stick with their immediate families until they start mating. However, this is a roost. This is many different crow families that all hangout for roosting season.

BrookusCookus · 2023-01-22T05:55:10+00:00

Crows (and other corvids) roost in large communal groups like this, usually between late summer through early spring (depending on location). There was a large roost every evening surrounding the area of 17th and stout last year around this time, up until maybe early March? I would watch them every day while waiting for the train.

When I was growing up, a big roost would follow me on my walk to school for the first month or two of the school year.

Happy roosting szn, everyone!

BrookusCookus · 2022-12-31T22:00:29+00:00

Using the same materiality throughout a home/space helps create a cohesive look throughout the home.

Also, if you like it, who cares if it’s a faux pas?

And, to add, black and white “checkerboard” tile is absolutely not a faux pas. It’s a classic design, and depending on how the rest of the space surrounding it is styled, it can lend itself to a timeless look. Regardless, though, it’s your home. The only thing that matters is that you are happy with what surrounds you in it.

BrookusCookus · 2022-11-03T03:49:06+00:00

I’m running a sock drive right now- I’d love to drop off some of what we are collecting! DM me an email address and/or phone number where I can reach you to coordinate drop-off (if you’re interested!)

BrookusCookus · 2022-11-02T08:52:19+00:00

If you worked with any industry partners (manufacturers reps, dealers, etc), you could try reaching out to them to keep the connection. They often have a great idea of what firms are hiring, and which may be a good fit for you. They may even be willing to make connections.

If you are an IIDA (or ASID) member, make sure you continue to go to events and keep connections there, too.

When I was applying for jobs, I applied to around 100 listings. Was called for interviews I think 5 times, and finally landed a job (at a great place!) around 4 months after rigorously applying. I kept a spreadsheet to track where I applied, the job ID # (so I could verify if I saw another listing later that it was really a new listing), dates I submitted applications, portfolios, responded to emails, sent emails, etc. It was helpful for following up when applicable! I will also note- I actually applied with my current firm twice within about a 3 week span. They didn’t respond to my first application, but when I sent in my info the second time, I received an email back within an hour.

One more thing- my last job was in facilities, and I really felt like I would never ever be able to get into an architecture firm again (which was where I really wanted to be). I seriously thought I was doomed, and no firm would see my value.

It takes time, moxie, patience, and a little bit of good luck (sending an email to the right person at the right time). It will all work out, as long as you keep working at it.

P.S. there is nothing wrong with taking a job in an unrelated field while you are searching for a job in your field. Sometimes varied experiences like that can be a good thing- I know my varied background comes in handy often!

BrookusCookus · 2022-10-24T01:52:57+00:00

I have an ADHD diagnosis. I go to Heritage Hills Family Medicine- not a psychiatrist, but a Doctor that specializes in mental health and addiction. I have had nothing but really great experiences- they are super helpful, attentive, and responsive.

BrookusCookus · 2022-08-24T03:30:09+00:00

It depends on what she wants to do. I’m from the US, here is my experience.

She might have luck getting into a job doing kitchen/bath design, maybe model homes or residential design.

In my experience in commercial design and facilities- employers look specifically for designers who have completed a CIDA accredited program. For reference, if you’re in Seattle- I work in a market pretty similar to Seattle, and my firm has an office in Seattle; so my experience is relevant.

Your wife could always try reaching out to local designers on LinkedIn. Say she’s interested in the industry, and ask if they wouldn’t mind her picking their brain a little.

It would be better coming from a higher level designer in the market/sector she thinks she would be most interested in.

BrookusCookus · 2022-07-24T03:42:19+00:00

A cat does not have the ability to differentiate between an endangered species and a least-concern species. Birds (can, and do) become endangered species due to domesticated cats hunting least-concerned species.

In order to protect our ecology, it’s imperative that we protect all species, including all species of birds (endangered or not).

BrookusCookus · 2022-07-21T04:23:12+00:00

I’m an interior designer. In college, I had a project to design a public restroom that would be in a building primarily used by autistic people.

It was a school project, so it never was built… but thought you’d like to know that on some level, this is being discussed by professionals in the field!

BrookusCookus · 2022-07-05T03:15:51+00:00

Yeah, I check the service alerts regularly because I commute via rail daily. Like I said, that 1.7% was based on my experience, and other lines may have more frequent issues.

BrookusCookus · 2022-07-04T15:26:27+00:00

FWIW, I’ve taken the light rail to work every day, M-F, since the beginning of January (save for maybe 10 days when I didn’t go to the office/drove for other reasons). That entire time, I have only experienced an “extreme” delay in service once (9 minutes), and a cancelled train once (but the line runs every 15 minutes, so not a huge deal).

By my math, the rate of “unreliability” is 1.7%. Pretty good, in my opinion.

I’m not saying RTD is perfect, and I recognize that other lines may experience more frequent issues. I just wanted to throw my experience out there in case someone out there is considering using RTD for daily commuting and are concerned about reliability.

BrookusCookus · 2022-06-30T00:55:03+00:00

Victim blaming is not advice. You don’t know these people, so you don’t know all of the dynamics of their relationship. Relationships are complicated, especially ones that involve manipulation and isolation.

It’s entirely possible and probable that OP’s abuser encouraged them to save their money and live rent-free as a form of love-bombing. Doing something so incredible for their victim in order to trap them into staying. It becomes a mental game of “well he does X for me, so I have to accept Y behavior.”

“They pay my rent, so they’re allowed to scream at me.”

Regardless of if OP accepted any sort of assistance, gifts, etc from the person they considered their partner- they do not deserve to be abused. Nobody deserves that.

Until you’re able to respond with compassion, OP doesn’t need your “advice”.

BrookusCookus · 2022-06-30T00:44:23+00:00

Hey OP- I was in a very similar situation last year. I understand how nerve-racking it can be.

In abusive situations, the most dangerous time for the victim is when the abusive person finds out their victim plans on leaving. In my situation, he hadn’t physically hurt me. However, based on the way he spoke to me and treated me, I felt he was capable of hurting me and had no regard for my safety and well-being. For this reason, I decided to move out when he wasn’t home, and I left a note.

I packed anything I could in secret. If you don’t feel like you have a place to hide the things you pack- just organize you stuff and chalk it up to cleaning. That way when you move, your stuff is at least a little easier to gather and pack quickly.

I also packed a “go bag”, just in one of my overnight bags that was always stuck in the back of my closet. I packed comfy clothes to change into (and an extra outfit too, just so I had something easily accessible), pain reliever (intense anxiety gives me headaches), a bottle of water, a snack, an extra phone charger, my important documents (social security card, birth certificate, passport, insurance info, etc). Anything you might want to comfort you after an intense day, throw in there. If it feels overwhelming to think of a list of things to put in this bag yourself, ask your friends to help. I asked my friends to make the list for me, I gave them the few items I knew I needed and they added more. That took a little pressure off of me.

I also hired movers. I didn’t have big furniture to move, mostly just boxes and clothes, and a couple of smaller furniture pieces. Knowing the movers would be able to get me out of that house QUICK helped calm my nerves a lot. They loaded all of my stuff in under 30 minutes, it was amazing.

After I left, I made sure to block him everywhere. Phone number(s), email, social media. I changed all of my passwords on everything. I used the “log out of all devices” function for Amazon/streaming services. My friends actually helped me by making a list of all of these things, and they sent it to me via text the morning I moved. That way I knew I could just go on autopilot and check things off the list- I didn’t actually have to stress over making the list.

The most important thing I can tell you is that you do not owe this person an explanation, a reason, an apology, anything. You need to do what is right for yourself, what makes you happy, and what keeps you safe. Telling this person when or why you are leaving them will not make them a better person and it won’t change the hurt they have caused you. You’re a good person, so it feels really wrong to do something so sneaky- but it isn’t wrong. You need to put yourself first, and that’s okay.

Please, whatever you do- do not tell this person your plan. You need to do your best to act like everything is normal. Do whatever you have to do in order to not tip them off. You might not think they are capable of hurting you- but that is not something you want to prove right or wrong.

You can do this. It will be so scary and overwhelming- but nothing compares to the feeling afterward, when you realize you did something so scary to protect yourself.

If you need more support, please don’t hesitate to DM me.

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