Whether you realise it or not, we’re living in the Golden Age of the freelancer. The Internet, home computers, and online education have combined to create an incredible moment in time when just about anyone can launch a freelance career in almost any field, either as a primary way of earning a living or as a supplement to their incomes.
What this means in practice is that activities and skills that would have once been considered hobbies can now be leveraged into fully-fledged careers – often without the formal training or certification that would have once been an absolute requirement. A great example of this new world is interior design. Where once even being a part-time or freelance designer required a degree and training, in the modern age you can leverage your interior design ideas into a new career immediately.
Start with Ideas
Your first step, if you think you’d like to work part- or full-time as an interior designer is to develop your ideas. The easiest way to do this is to use your own home as a living brochure. Architects will often design and build their own private homes where they live with their families as a way of demonstrating their skills and their ideas – you can do the same.
One way to spread your interior design ideas and build a brand is to celebrate every room of your house with a re-design and a party. Do your most creative and exciting work in each room of your home, and every time you finish, set up a reception and invite everyone. Remember, every one of your neighbours and connections is a potential client – don’t be shy! And be proud – show off your design, discuss the ideas behind them, and play tour guide.
Work for Free
You should consider offering your services for free (or at cost) to a likely candidate as a way of establishing your reputation – but don’t do it for just anyone. Choose your pro bono project carefully:
- Choose someone who will appreciate the free work
- Choose someone who has influence on the rest of the local community
- Choose someone who can be relied upon to celebrate your work and help you promote it
This first project will certainly wind up costing you money, but think of it as an investment. It will demonstrate that you can work professionally, handle a budget, and work on a timeline and with contractors.
Go Online
These days people are finding interior designers everywhere – including online. Your first step is to create a professional website that has a strong gallery focus, showing off all examples of your work – including your own home. Ask your pro bono project above for permission to photograph their home to showcase your interior design prowess.
Other options exist: Freelance websites like oDesk or Elance have sections for interior designers, so setting up an account there isn’t a bad idea when you’re just starting out. Keep in mind those sites charge you fees on the work you do through them, so once you’re established make sure to charge accordingly so that you don’t end up out of pocket.
A new career as an interior design pro isn’t out of reach, even without investing money and time into gaining formal qualifications. Let those ideas fly – and if you need to create some magnificent wall art for your next project, click here and see what we can do for your ideas and your budget.
