Expert: Bob - 5/9/2009

Question
I have done interior designing and I would like to take my studies to a further level - Interior designing through computers - I would like to know what programs should I be learning to be having complete abilities to do interior designing according to the present day's needs and requirements.

Help will be highly appreciated at answering the above, Thanks!
Shaheeda

Answer
Hi--

Of course, my main expertise is in AutoCAD, and I am not a career counselor..... You leave out your age, which would have helped ( questions like this are about half from young students, half from older women, never men)

But I CAN tell you that this is a VERY LOCAL question. You would best find out what they use where you live and work -- it might be totally different than in California or New York (or it might be similar -- I have no way of knowing without doing the local research). Besides AutoCAD, one might use Sketch Up, Illustrator, Photoshop, ArchiCAD --- and a number of others.

Interior Design is a profession, requiring certain schooling, to me, thus I would send you to the local colleges to find what they teach.
Since you are in a country with very different social patterns than mine, you might have to go about this in a different way than we do, particularly as a woman.

If you have already studied, I suggest starting with the school at which you studied, and see what they suggest.

Also, you do not say whether you want to work for a firm, start your own business, or do designing for family and friends. The type of computer program and the level of skill are quite different at an international firm, than for small scale local work.

So investigate, by Internet, phone, and visit, the working methods of others who are doing now what you want to do: find out what they use in your country at the level of work you aspire to. Then you can make more choices.

I hope this helps.

BOB