Interior Architecture Career Resources
The Career Center has built this page to provide you with valuable advice and resources relevant to your major. Explore and take advantage of what you find here to maximize your career readiness!
Common Career Paths for Interior Architecture Majors
If you are still trying to explore and evaluate your career path, you can check out this selected list of common job titles that alumni often pursue. Please keep in mind, this is not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, you can consider it a starting point to explore options in the field.
Interior Architect - Plan and design building interiors, often with a focus on creating functional and visually appealing environments within the larger architectural framework. This work is often done within a firm or studio environment in collaboration with others.
Interior Designer - Arrange and curate interior spaces to be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and aligned with clients' needs. Interior designers may focus on elements such as furniture, space planning, materials, and more.
Store Designer - Create engaging and effective commercial store layouts and displays. Their goal is to enhance the shopping experience and drive sales through thoughtful design.
Exhibition Designer - Plan layouts and visual displays for museums, galleries, trade shows, and other public spaces. Their work involves designing spaces that effectively communicate information and engage visitors.
3D Modeler / Renderer - Produce detailed and realistic 3D renderings of interior spaces to help clients visualize design concepts before implementation. They use specialized software to produce high-quality visual representations.
Real Estate Stager - Prepare homes and buildings for sale by arranging furniture and décor to make properties more appealing to potential buyers. This role requires an understanding of design principles and market trends.
Environment Artist - Work from concept art, real-world reference, and imagination to create and lay out digital 3D environments that form the world of a film or video game. This work is often done while employed by a game or multimedia studio.
Furniture or Lighting Designer - Use knowledge of interior spaces alongside fabrication skills to craft functional objects to be used in spatial environments. This work might be done independently or as part of a larger company or studio.
Set Designer - Create the physical environment in which a performance, film, or television production takes place. This work may be done either while employed by a company or contractually on a project-by-project basis.
Project Manager / Architect - Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of interior design projects. This role involves coordinating between clients, designers, and contractors. It also often requires years of experience in the field.
Installation Artist - Create and install large-scale, immersive art pieces that often transform or interact with specific spaces. This work may be commissioned by private or public entities.
Fine Artist - Produce original artwork that express a unique vision, concept, or idea. Work may be exhibited and sold via galleries, museums, art fairs, and private collections.
Art Educator - Teach and guide students of various ages in developing their artistic skills and knowledge, often through work in educational settings such as schools, colleges, universities, community art centers, and museums.
Places Where Students Have Recently Interned - A Selected List
This is a curated list of places where students have done internships in the last few years.
Internships, Jobs, & Opportunities
Find jobs, internships, and other opportunities related to your major.
American Society of Interior Designers
International Interior Design Association
Organizations, Directories, & Communities
This is a curated selection of communities and organizations that are relevant to the field.
International Interior Design Association
American Society of Interior Designers
The National Organization of Minority Architects
Organization of Black Designers
Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies
Explore this selection of internal grant and fellowship opportunities available to RISD students.
RISD Managed Grants and Awards
Student & Alumni Stories
Read these stories of students and alumni expressing their creativity in the professional world.
RISD Interior Architecture Students Reimagine RI’s Pell Bridge
Maharam Fellows Find Workarounds
CreativeStudy
This free online video learning platform is presented by creatives who have dedicated their lives to sharing knowledge on financial and business topics. Use your RISD Single Sign On credentials to access it!
Career Center Presentation for Interior Architecture Students
This Google slide deck is a presentation that highlights key Career Center resources students can access!
