175 | Design Skills Series: 6 Skills Interior Designers Need (That Aren’t Taught in Design School)

If you’ve ever wondered why design school didn’t quite prepare you for the real world of interior design, you’re not imagining it. I hear this all the time—from designers who invested years (and money) into a degree, and from those who skipped school altogether and worry they’re already behind.

The truth is, many of the skills required to run a successful interior design business are not taught in the classroom.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually matters once you leave school and step into real client work. These are the foundational skills that determine whether your business thrives or struggles. And no, they’re not about picking the perfect sofa or designing custom furniture—although those matter too.

My promise is simple: I want to help you identify the other skills you need to develop—skills that design school often overlooks—so you can create a strong foundation, run a profitable interior design business, and enjoy a sustainable, fulfilling career doing what you love.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔️ Why business skills are non-negotiable for residential interior designers

✔️ How understanding pricing, margins, and markup protects your profitability

✔️ What it really means to create a luxury client experience

✔️ How technology, AI, and systems can support (not replace) your creativity

✔️ Why branding and storytelling matter more than graphic design alone

✔️ How leadership and decision-making shape client trust and confidence

✔️ The personal skills that help designers manage time, overwhelm, and growth

Read the Blog >>> 6 Skills Interior Designers Need That Design School Doesn’t Teach

NEXT STEPS:

🎯 Join My Design Mentor and start developing the skills that truly set you apart. 👉https://rwarddesign.com/my-design-mentor⁠

Check out our Designer's Playlist!

*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

*️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

*️ Switching Gears to Interior Design

Grab your freebies:

📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career

Connect With Me:

📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com

Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction

2:54 – Skill #1: Business Skills for Interior Designers

5:10 – Skill #2: Client Experience and Service

6:45 – Skill #3: Technology, AI Literacy, and Systems

9:24 – Skill #4: Marketing, Branding, and Visibility

11:38 – Skill #5: Leadership and Decision Making

13:20 – Skill #6: Personal Skills for Success