Illustrators, along with graphic designers, dominate the field of commercial art. The field of interior design focuses on planning and furnishing the interiors of homes, public buildings, and commercial establishments, such as restaurants, theaters, and hospitals. Interior designers confer with clients regarding style and expense, then develop designs and drawings for interior construction, furnishing, and lighting. Computers are becoming increasingly important in this area as they are used to plan layouts that can easily be changed to a client's specifications. All of these areas involve organizing and creating articles, products, or materials so that they serve a purpose and are visually pleasing.
Some designers go on to teach their area of specialty in a college or university setting.
For this reason, designers need the ability to work independently, to budget their time and to meet deadlines, and to be self-disciplined enough to start and finish projects on their own. While most designers employed by established firms work regular hours, doing freelance work, or working as a craftsperson, often involves irregular hours. Pay is by assignment and often takes several years to show a profit. Many professionals recommend a supervised work experience which will allow you to learn more about the field and how a business is run, as well as increase your skills, before attempting full-time freelance design work. New designers often start in entry level positions and work upward as talent is recognized.