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Hello there! Getting your first client is often the hardest thing. There's a certain amount of work that you would have to do to get your foot in the door with an individual, so to speak. These days, and if you're young, I would go for an internship first. Then get a job with that firm and get used to ordering, supply times, dealing with clients and paperwork. I've said this before but a degree isn't the obvious way to do things. I would try out the profession before paying money and wasting time studying for a job that may well not suit you. Going from a medicine to design is quite a leap! The world will always need doctors and nurses Interior designers..less so. It's more important in design to get experience. Real estate is often geared around sales. The partner to that is staging properties. But this is something that is seen as normal these days. Most high end properties are staged and there are companies and individuals that do just that. You will have a limited budget and the design will be chosen for you as most real estate companies want the same look over and over. In short, if you want your own company some day, then I would go and work for a company as an intern and then a junior designer. Once you know what you're doing, you can branch out and start your own studio. Good luck with it all! Belinda

Thank you! Hopefully it will help people think practically as well as aesthetically!

Hello there! I'm sorry I don't know of any internships in India. I would grab some local magazines, make a list of the all the companies and contact them about joining them as an intern. Best way is to call them direct - you'll get far more information on the phone. However, you have an engineering degree! I wouldn't rule out doing something like civic engineering. That's another form of design that may be more up your street! Good luck with it!

Thanks so much!

great news - hope it all went well!

Hi Catherine - yes retail is another customer facing role which can tire you out! There are elements of contact with every job of course, but if you still like design then maybe specialise in curtains and blinds (if you enjoy making things) or being a critic (so be an industry journalist). Much less contact and much less stress!

@@homeconscious i have been thinking of going into being an editor. Perhaps I can do them both with your suggestion. Thank you!

Hello Maddison! The built and created interior environment is as important to our mental health as the climate is. It's very interesting to hear that you are looking at things at an early age as that's what I did. I was very much into spatial awareness (moving furniture around my bedroom mainly!). You may well change your mind about what job to go into. Some guidelines: 1) don't follow your friends and do what courses, subjects they do. Strike your own path. This is your life not theirs. Nor is it your parents life. Look at art, textiles, geography and sciences. 2) you may well be able to do some work experience at a homeware shop at the weekend or over the holidays. Take every opportunity you can to get some work experience. 3) Get the best qualifications you can in whatever subject you can. You can change profession or career at any point and employers are looking for people that can use their brain and apply themselves to a subject (whether that's geography, chemistry, art or English literature). 4) you don't have to get noticed or be famous to be successful. I have never looked to be famous. Work hard, learn your craft (whatever that is), and be the best person that does it. Success is never immediate but money comes from work. 5) read books on interiors, (not magazines as they are just full of adverts and pictures), and get a real understanding of what the job is. Books on drawing rooms for example, or books on the Victorian style or Art Deco. Courses and apprentice schemes change every year. You could try taster courses such as this one. www.klc.co.uk/courses/interior-design/short-courses-and-workshops/study-support-and-taster-courses/experience-life-at-klc/ That would give you a basic taster for the environment in which you'd be working. Larger and longer courses cost a lot and should be only for those that know they want to do this as a career. If you are keen on trying the industry then I would look at larger design studios and ask if you could intern with them (unpaid!) to see if you like it first. You could intern with them over the summer for 6 or 8 weeks. Being an intern is great as you can do lots of things, get to meet many different designers and all the other people in the office who make up the team and really see what the job is like. You may hate it! But if you like it then you are best placed to get a real paying job there after school or college finishes. Good luck with it all! Belinda

@@homeconscious thank you ever to much!

I will try and get to curtains and radiators! I try and keep them separate if I can. I often put radiators near a door so they are not in the way of curtains or other furniture. That way you can have full length curtains and not worry about them covering up radiators. Good luck with your house!

@@homeconscious thanks ☺️

So sorry for the absence! You don't need to have good maths skills. Your ability to be a designer is based on your communication skills to your clients and your ability to handle tradesmen and workmen. I am not sure about the business opportunities in Hawaii but Canada will have more I would think. After GCSEs you have the choice of doing a design qualification at a college or Uni or going out to work with current designers. I would choose the latter. Get as much experience as you can, as early as you can. Other countries will have their own methods of recruitment and are subject to change. I would speak to any prospective employers to see if they can assist you moving to their country. Good luck with it all! Belinda

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you are more than welcome - the hard truth is not what people want to hear or what gets clicks and likes so most decor enthusiasts just show you the nice stuff!

It most certainly is amusing! I think you're right. The best part can indeed be the clients. They are all different and it's nice sometimes to see what they enjoy and hear what they are trying to create. I wish you well Komal - keep looking after your clients and they will look after you.

Surely,Thank you so much.

Hi Abby! Not at all I hope they are helping. There are more to come..next is live streaming! Hoping I can get these to everyone easier than my normal videos. I've had such a busy year! Good luck with your studies - let me know how you're getting on. Belinda

Hi Wasim In order to apply for work abroad, I would collect as many interior design companies details and research them all thoroughly. Then I would prepare covering letters and a list of the all the projects I have worked on to send to each company. I would get the name of the person that I am writing to beforehand of course. And I would follow it up with an email or call in a couple of weeks if I had no reply. Skills - you need a good grasp of English, the ability to organise and deliver projects and you need to be reliable with your promises to both the company and the clients! See if you can reach out to people in design companies on LinkedIn. You can perhaps have conversations online with them to ascertain what roles they are looking to fill if any. Good luck for 2020!

Thank you so much! sorry it has taken me so long to respond - I have been so busy. Hopefully even non design professionals will get some usage out the video! Good luck for 2020!

Thank you so much - sorry for the delayed response - so busy right now!

Maybe she doesn't have mic. Just turn on the CC.

Thanks Glama Mia! I feel very blessed! Belinda x

Hi Mohit Thank you so much - glad it was some help to you! Belinda

Hi Kathy-Ann Hello there and sorry for the delay in replying. Good to hear you are branching out! I do take the tube because it's easy and often quicker for me to do so. I do drive, but not for work as, again, most of my work is in London so it's easier to take the tube. I don't think it will hinder your side of things. Mostly you'll be getting things delivered to the property. But even if you get them delivered off site (to a garage or holding storage company), they will be delivered separately. The trick is to treat every job differently. Sometimes you can go to the property and await a delivery. Other times, I want to go and see all the things the week before install and have a detailed plan of what's coming out. I often use Uber to travel between properties if time is short. It's quick and easy and a lot cheaper than driving and parking. Plus, I can write emails whilst I travel! Bear in mind, some companies will hold onto items for you until they are needed. Always check though and keep an eye on things. I often call up and talk to the warehouse and ask for a description of what is in front of them. I've had wrong fabrics put on sofas and other things come out for delivery without me being told. You have to keep on top of where things are and whether they are as you ordered them. Good luck with it all! Belinda

@@homeconscious Thank you so much Belinda for your suggestions and for staying alert. I am still working more in my original career but I do have some projects coming up later in the year. I have completed smaller jobs. Love love your transparency on your daily routine on your channel here. Blessings for a stellar 2019

Hello there Yes indeed. It's best to start as young as possible but it's not essential to. You need to soak up magazines, materials, architecture and products as much as possible. Read as much as you can. Borrow books, return them and get more. Surround yourself with your subject and then enter a room and plan out on paper what you would do. Make lists, measure furniture, see if you like the job and the industry. You can always try it when you're young and move onto other things! Belinda

Hi Amna Apologies - I have been up to my neck in properties and have had zero time for anything but clients! Technically, qualifications for interior designers are widespread and depend on what country you are in and what you want to specialise in. I would say that I would take the computer option and study engineering. It's a much more 'rich' subject and more and more engineering trained people will be needed in the future. Engineering does impact interior designers as far as how things get built, what they are made of, what they need both inside and outside of a building and what technology issues you will have to incorporate into your designs. Go for engineering every time! Good luck! Belinda x

Hi there Eva Sorry it has taken me so long to get to you..I have been flat out across four projects. Which is why I've been away from CZcams for so long. Topics - I have a list of topics to cover. But as always, the 'Diary' generally comes first as it's easier (quicker!) to film and edit and upload. You see the property just as I see it with no preparation. I do take requests of course. It's just most topics are very in depth and you can't tackle a subject without covering all of it. This takes time to write, prepare, edit, film and upload. Is there any particular topic you need help on? Hope you are doing well! Belinda

Hello Fatima - well done on being a fresh graduate! Suppliers will only recommend you if they know and trust you. That can take time! I wouldn't talk pricing with them. At least not your pricing. They wouldn't be interested in that really. They will be more interested in you using their products. There is no harm in talking to them about being new (or an old hand if you've been doing this for some time!) and stating that you are looking for 'your next interesting project'. They may well have someone that they know needs some help. The trick is to let them know you are looking but not to expect anything or demand their clients. You could offer to leave some business cards with a supplier - but get to know them first! I'd ask them what type of clients do they get? Commercial? Residential? Developers? All this is good information to have and are excellent conversation starters. You will gain lots of information this way and perhaps start a friendship/relationship. Ask them what they need. Someone to calm the client down or manage a complicated project..all sorts of things will come up whilst you're chatting. Collaboration on projects really happens naturally. If a furniture supplier wants you to use all their products and not someone else's, you're going to be limited in how you design and I can guarantee the client won't want to be limited to one supplier. Clients have their own ideas and want to put a lot together themselves. Usually over a period of time. Developers are far less bothered! So your suppliers should have something worth you going to them for. Either great products, good pricing (may be a good designer discount) or fast turn around on delivery. All these things you can tell your client and just one of these reasons could be the reason to buy from them. Then you can start a good relationship with that supplier. Someone that supplies kitchens and/or bathrooms would be ideal to start with. They can design the kitchen and bathroom and you do the rest of the house with the client. Interior Design is a lot to do with relationships - both with the client and the supplier. You sit somewhere in the middle! Good luck with it all and let me know how it goes! Belinda

@@homeconscious First of all before I even read your reply , let me tell you that Im SO touched by how kind and generous you are. Truly you took the time to give me the most well thought of, detailed answer for free without even knowing me thank you so much ! Its people like you who makes the planet a better place 💕💕💕 ..what I understood now is that I dont mention prices and I dont limit my self to one supplier , and that I can start with bathroom and kitchen suppliers would be first to start with so thats what Im gonna do ..btw would I email or call which method is more effective ? Thank you to the moon and back 💕💕💕💕💕💕

Fatima Alamoudi m

Hi Dina No you don't need to be good at maths. Obviously it helps! But really you should have a good attention to detail be able to organise both yourself and others. Good luck with it all! Belinda

@@homeconscious thank you

I have indeed subscribed to you. Good luck with it all and keep it up!

I did indeed - you've got great things ahead of you. Keep up with your studies and explore lots of things around you.Visit some museums in London (most are free!) to see some artwork and sculpture. Belinda