apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

i'd suggest a quick craigslist search for internship possibilities. but i have to admit, most will want someone that has an interior design degree. personally, that's what i look for. you may look into going back to school. FIDM has a campus in SF - take a look.
good luck!
i made the very same switch 5 years ago. just know, with the way the economy is right now it's very tough out there.

Good luck. I know people who've gone to school specifically to work in interior design & can't get hired on anywhere. Also, some designers already working in firms are threatened by interns b/c in this economy, it's good for the bottom line to hire someone who'd been trained on the job vs. paying a very degreed, experienced person. Don't expect much help from anyone currently working in the firms, go straight for the person in charge. Not trying to rain on your parade, just firsthand observation.

Have you considered going out on your own? It's definitely a way to get the opportunity to jump in there & do it, but it's also a lot more work on the business end that pulls you away from the design aspect.

Again, good luck!

Ken - I think AT's Laure from ATLA did the very thing so maybe she can step in and offer advice.

There are two sections under Craigslsit Jobs that you can look under: Arch/ Engineering and Art/ Media/ Design.

As you may be aware, the design industry is really suffering right now in this economy. Most design firms have severely cut staff. This could actually be beneficial to you because alot of places need help but can't pay. If you are willing to do it for free, you might be able to find something.

I happen to work for Ethan Allen and we do quite a bit of design work--floor plans, custom bedding/windows, FFE, etc. Yes, you're working only with their product, but it may be a way to learn more about the business on a more flexible time frame. We've had interns here at my location.

What about looking for a web development or IT job with an interior design / arch firm? I had the same thoughts years about about going into interior design, but ended up taking a marketing job for a kitchen and bath remodeling company. Being a little outside of the action helped me make informed decisions while still moving forward in my field...and I ended up deciding it wasn't for me. I still work in architecture and design, but always on the support side and I love it. As someone above said, the industry is really suffering right now, but that doesn't mean there are not jobs to be had...we're still seeing some attrition here and need to replace people that leave. Keep trying and good luck!

I don't know anyone who would respond positively to the request you've described here, for a few reasons:

--a true apprenticeship, one lasting months or at least weeks, would be perceived as a big burden on someone trying to get profitable work done. While this economy means some people are less rushed in their daily tasks, it also means efficiency and profitability is crucial.

--working without pay is a liability for a company (particularly lifting furniture), and I think illegal, if I remember Dept of Labor laws correctly.

Try asking in your request if you can 'shadow' someone for a few days. You may be able to cobble together some shadow experiences with a few different people to help you form an opinion of the profession.

You might contact your local ASID chapter to see if they can help you find someone who would be willing to let you shadow them. Some chapters also occasionally organize shadow days with local high school students, and while you might be older than the other participants, the chapter might let you join in.

I'm an interior designer in NYC who got started working from the bottom up and learned everything hands-on from the best. I didn't have any educational background so I consider myself luck - but I did have to do all the grunt work and crap for years. I don't think any decorator should feel threatened - if they were good and could develop their own style and relationship with their clients they would not have to worry "about the competition".

Good luck and if you need any advice please email me at karen@cheekyliving.com

-Karen
www.cheekyliving.com
www.blog.cheekyliving.com

Like cheekyliving, I also don't think anyone should feel threatened by your proposal. I also started from the ground up with very little educational background and I was able to learn a lot from others who were already established in the field.

It's true, some designers out there don't like to share their knowledge, clients, or resources, but most people these days are beyond that and would be more than happy to help out a fellow creative. I'm actually trying to find people just like you here in Austin to help me with my work load and surprisingly haven't had much luck. I opened my business less than a year ago and I'm swamped.

I feel that since so many designers put so much effort and energy into my progression as a designer, that I owe it back to my creative community to help others along whenever and where ever I can. Someone out in San Fran must feel that same way.

Good luck and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have other questions. I do know one designer in that area that I can put some feelers out with.

-Lindsey
www.lets-playhouse.com

i've just finished my BA in design and am on the cusp of going for my masters in ID. collecting, editing, writing for, and designing my portfolio has been my personal hell for the past few months.

any tips?

Oohhh... One more thing... As far as a portfolio goes, your own space is the best place to start. Take come pics of your own space and then shop them around. You're looking for a training position, so no one should expect a strong portfolio. At most they will want to get a feel for your style and eye for design.

If you still want to add to your portfolio, talk a friend who needs help into giving you carte blanche and go to town on their unit. It will help you stretch your legs creatively and add to your portfolio.

hla21: Can you email me and be more specific about the challenges you're experiencing? Not sure if I can be of any real help, but I'm happy to try.

lindsey@lets-playhouse.com

Ken, a few thoughts for you:

- It wouldn't be my first choice, only because you're paying for the experience, but Vocation Vacations was setup precisely to 'try on' another career before you make the big leap. You might try their website, get in touch, ask if they have someone in San Francisco.

- Consider a skills swap, as your method of entry to apprenticeship, research local designers (use SFGate's archives of their Spotlight Stylemaker article series in the Home & Garden section, the 2009 Decorator Showcase), look for a designer whose style you like but a designer who doesn't yet have a website, perhaps try to barter mentorship with your dayjob skills?

- And if going back to school for this, is something that interests you, then ask one of the local schools if they can recommend a designer who would let you shadow for a short period so you can cement your decision.

I agree with several here, I don't think anyone that You would genuinely want to learn from would be threatened, and when you can't hire enough staff to get your jobs done you get creative about staffing. If there are any issues about liability insurance you could offer to reimburse them for the additional amount that would be added onto their existing insurance policy to cover you while you're apprenticing.

Best wishes!

Ken,

Congratulations on deciding to make a career switch! A lot of great ideas above. I'm in a similar situation myself and have found great support and advice on Pam Slim's blog-www.escapefromcubiclenation.com. Maybe it can help you too on your journey. Good luck!

Lis
www.fileunderlis.blogspot.com

WOW! Haha, thanks so much for the help. I'm the original "question sender" and I'm really refreshed at the response, good or bad.

So, from the gathered feedback my plan of attack will be:

- Contact anyone who offered to get in touch (thanks tons, thats super bold and extremely generous!)
- Blanket Craigslist
- Adjust my request to say "shadowing" and not apprenticing, although thats generally what I meant.
- Add in that I'd recover any extra insurance costs it may take to take me on
- Checkout Vocation Vacations (I don't mind paying, especially for something that will nail down exactly what I need to know).
- Pester the art schools about giving me a way into their networks

What a fantastic set of feedback.

I also may checkout some places to work part time in, like CB2 or other show rooms that take on entry level people, and just do it part time on the weekends, not ideal, but it'd definitely be a good last resort.

Again thanks everyone, I'll be getting in touch with anyone else that offered and hammering the above list this weekend!

And tell me if this would be silly, but for my craigslist attack (and general other emails), I was thinking of throwing a splash page up on my server really fast that has a video of me talking about why I want to shadow and show some of the apartment work off. Just a quick way to introduce myself to someone I send an email to and let them see I'm not crazy ya know?

Thanks again!

Ken, that last idea sounds terrific. People hate to read long emails, especially when they're getting flooded with multiples. But I'm sure you have a lot that you want to get across. Make it interactive... awesome.

what you should be offering to any Interior Design firm are your unique skills- offer to provide a website redesign or assistance for a client presentation. I am assuming you are looking to join the industry in the residential realm- designers tend to be notoriously low tech.... Once you get your feet wet - it would be a lot easier to both build a portfolio and get to know people.
Actually a similar strategy could work in the commercial sector as well. At this time the industry is hurting and you should capitalize on your experience rather than simply looking to be free labor. Cheap is good business sense - free is great but gets no respect

If you don't mind working for free/cheap, try an internship. You could actively search for postings or try to network. Try a professional organization as well. I'm not a member and I actually interned at an interior design firm (several years ago and I ended up going into another field), but several of the people I worked with were members of ASID.

Hey Ken,
I actually work at the San Francisco Design Center
and we are looking for volunteers for the Design Above All Showhouse (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/20/HOA219MLVN.DTL)
If you email me your resume and # at jennyaimeesong@hotmail.com I can get you to participate at the event.

Hi Ken,
I am the owner of a small residential firm here in San Francisco. Feel free to email me, I may need some help here and there, particularly with photo shoots and measuring.

Best of luck!
Jennifer
jen@nicheinteriors.com
http://www.nicheinteriors.com/

This community is so great. Thanks Aimee and Jennifer! I've contacted you both.

joshk, I thought that it would be redundant to use my web development experience as a wedge to get into the field, but I guess your right, once my foot's in the door it would be much easier to tag along and shadow or find others to design / develop for. I'll definitely start pushing that.

Thanks again everyone!