How To Become A Kitchen Designer?

Interior design is not a one-way fit, as different types of interior design are suitable for various buildings and purposes. However, kitchen design is one of the most important aspects of interior design. This importance can be attributed to the fact that the kitchen is one of the most functional places in the home.

Due to the constant renovation and demand for open and well-structured kitchens, kitchen designers are highly in demand now. One thing about this profession is that you can work as an in-house kitchen designer with an interior designing firm or freelancer. This means you can avoid scouring the streets to find a job as a kitchen designer; you can quickly get a job online. For example, you can get the position of kitchen designer on Jooble if you are really good at what you do.

Kitchen designing is a profitable business as designers can earn more than $60,000 per annum. If you want to explore this career path, we have collaborated with career experts from job aggregator Jooble to research how to become a kitchen designer. We will also be enumerating the necessary skills that are important for kitchen designers. Let’s delve right into the details.

Steps to Take to Become a Kitchen Designer

Becoming a kitchen designer is relatively easy – you need some education and certifications to start the career. Below are the steps toward achieving a job in interior decoration.

Earn a Degree

A degree is an excellent start toward becoming a kitchen designer. A bachelor’s degree or an associate degree will work just fine. You should apply to universities or technical schools after your high school certification. However, it usually takes between four to five years to complete it. You can also earn an associate degree in three years.

Some of the best colleges and universities for becoming a kitchen designer include Cooper University, Columbia University, and Yale University.

Gain Work Experience

Another important step toward becoming a successful kitchen designer is gaining experience. Experience makes people trust you more as they do not have to bank on the fact that you can do it but knows that you have done it before. It helps you get a good position, get into a good company, and also allows you to negotiate great pay.

You can start building your experience at the university by doing internships. You can begin interning as a general interior designer or space manager and serve as an assistant to architects and builders. You can also volunteer on projects.

Build A Portfolio

A portfolio is one of the best ways to communicate your values, present your qualifications and concisely showcase your best jobs. A portfolio will give you an edge when applying for a job. It will also serve as a way for prospective clients to be familiar with your work if you are a freelance kitchen designer.

Therefore, you must put a lot of work into building your portfolio. Make it attractive without making it overly glamorous. Also, highlight your strengths without seeming full of yourself.

Get Licensed

Some states require that you are licensed as an interior designer before you can practice. This license is issued by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, making you a registered interior designer. The requirement for licensing is at least a Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience.

 Get Certified

Other than being a licensed interior designer, other certifications can raise your value as a kitchen designer. The National Kitchen and Bath Association offers certificates such as Associate Kitchen and Bath Designers and Certified Kitchen Designers.

What Skills Does a Kitchen Designer Need?

Apart from education, experience, and certifications, other skills are essential for you to succeed as a kitchen designer. Some of these skills are:

Interior Design

Interior design is the basis of kitchen design. As a kitchen designer, you must have excellent interior design knowledge. Your knowledge of colors, arrangement, and space management is important for you to do your job successfully.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a design software used to draw and edit 2D and 3D. It is an important design software for interior designers because it allows them to make realistic drawings more quickly.

Communication Skills

A kitchen designer doesn’t stay in his office designing or on the site supervising. They also negotiate, generate ideas, and talk to clients. However, they need excellent communication skills to do these tasks successfully. They must also be assertive when dealing, appealing when pitching, and confident when presenting their ideas.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is one of the most important computer packages for kitchen designers. This importance stems from the necessity of Microsoft Office Word for typing documents. They also need a good knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel for analysis, presentation of figures, and statistics. Microsoft Powerpoint is also required to present their ideas attractively.

Cost Estimation and Budget Administration

One of the significant duties of a kitchen designer is helping their clients get the best kitchen on a budget. To effectively do this, a kitchen designer must know how to estimate the cost of a project. They should also know how to present the budget to the client and defend it.

Customer Service and Sales

If you are a freelance or individual kitchen designer, you must know how to relate with customers. This will make your business grow and also help you become well-known. You also need to understand how to sell your ideas to clients and make them patronize you.

Conclusion

Kitchen design is an essential aspect of interior design. The kitchen can be seen as the house’s powerhouse. It is one of the most functional parts of the house and usually requires lots of thought to go into it.

A well-designed kitchen is necessary to make cooking easier, allow proper food storage, and prevent kitchen accidents. It is indeed one of the most sought-after jobs you can explore.