Learn the skills and concepts you will need to become a Kitchen and Bath Designer. The page below lists schools and colleges that offer excellent programs and degrees in Kitchen and Bath Design. Study basic design, drawing, plumbing and lighting designs that will train you to be a success in the Kitchen and Bath Design Industry.

by Wendy Croix
wendy.croix@interiordecoratingschools.net
Interior Decoration Schools Columnist

Love to shop 'til you drop? Love interior design? Then listen up. The good news is that you can combine your passions into a career path with terrific job prospects.

As a retail designer, your job in interior design might be to shape the image of a ritzy corner boutique or a major shopping mall. Whether you choose the micro or the macro path, designing for the retail market requires good management skills as well as a healthy dose of vision.

Retail Interior Design Careers

Retail interior designers are store planners who design for venues that sell. As a retail designer, you might design a store, a showroom, or a food court. You might specialize in retail lighting design or retail exhibits and displays. You might work for a major retailer, maintaining or updating its signature look, or you might work for a design firm that creates custom store designs for point-of-purchase locations.

Find an Internship in Retail Interior Design

An internship is a great first step toward a career in retail design. Major retail chains frequently hire interns. For instance, a Texas internship in retail design at JCPenney gives real world experience in project management, space planning, store plan development, design, and d&eacutecor. Best of all, a paid internship can go on your resum&eacute as your first job in retail interior design.

Launching Your Retail Interior Design Career

What skills will prospective employers want you to bring to your retail design career? Auto Cadd experience is a must, so make sure your computer skills are top notch. You'll have to think independently and creatively, but you'll also need to be a great manager and team player. With your design degree in hand, an internship, and these skills, you can say hello to a career in retail design.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Interior Design Jobs

About the Author

Wendy Croix, Ph.D. is a freelance writer, cultural critic and university professor. In her twenty years as a professional educator, Wendy has guided hundreds of students toward the careers of their dreams. Posted on June 16, 2005 at 01:56 PM