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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Interior Design Assistant

💰 $ - $

Interior DesignDesign AssistantArchitectureSpace Planning

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a proactive, detail-oriented Interior Design Assistant to support design teams in residential and commercial projects. The ideal candidate will assist with technical documentation, sourcing and procurement of finishes and FF&E, client communications, site measurements and installations, and production of presentation materials. This role requires strong CAD and visualization skills, excellent organizational abilities, and a collaborative mindset to deliver projects on time and on budget.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Design Intern or Junior Interior Designer
  • Architectural Assistant or CAD Technician
  • Showroom Sales Associate with design exposure

Advancement To:

  • Interior Designer / Project Designer
  • Senior Interior Designer or Design Lead
  • Design Manager or Studio Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • FF&E Procurement Specialist
  • Visual Merchandiser / Set Designer
  • Specification Writer or Facilities Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Prepare accurate technical drawings, floor plans, elevations and detailed shop drawings using AutoCAD, Revit or other CAD/BIM tools to support senior designers and contractors during design development and construction phases.
  • Develop and refine space planning concepts and layout options that meet client brief, code requirements and project budgets, including traffic flow, furniture placement and accessibility considerations.
  • Produce high-quality client presentation boards, concept packages, mood boards and sample kits using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) to visually communicate design intent and material selections.
  • Create photo-realistic renderings and 3D visualizations (SketchUp, V-Ray, Enscape) to illustrate proposed interiors, material interactions, lighting studies and spatial relationships for stakeholder review.
  • Assist with sourcing, specifying, and procuring FF&E items, fixtures, finishes and materials by preparing product research, price comparisons, lead-time tracking and purchase orders in coordination with procurement and vendors.
  • Manage vendor and trade relationships by requesting quotes, following up on production timelines, coordinating samples and resolving product or delivery issues to safeguard project schedules.
  • Conduct on-site measurements, field verification and interior site surveys to confirm existing conditions, record discrepancies, and update drawings and specifications accordingly.
  • Support project administration by maintaining project folders, tracking RFI’s, preparing submittals, managing transmittals and ensuring timely document control and versioning across project phases.
  • Assist in budget tracking and cost control by maintaining expense logs, updating project budgets, verifying invoices and reconciling supplier bills against purchase orders and budgets.
  • Coordinate installation logistics and site deliveries, liaising between contractors, installers and clients to schedule site access, approve mock-ups and ensure installations match design specifications.
  • Prepare detailed specification documents for materials, finishes, lighting and hardware including product codes, dimensions, installation notes and maintenance instructions for contractors and clients.
  • Help develop schedules and timelines for design milestones, procurement, mock-ups and installation phases and provide progress reports to project leads to support on-time delivery.
  • Attend client meetings and design reviews to take meeting minutes, capture client feedback, translate direction into action items and produce follow-up documentation for the design team.
  • Review vendor submittals, shop drawings and product samples for compliance with design intent, flag discrepancies and coordinate revisions with suppliers and trades.
  • Maintain materials library and sample inventory by organizing finish boards, sample catalogs, fabric swatches and digital asset libraries for easy access and reuse by the team.
  • Conduct product research and market trend analysis to recommend new materials, sustainable alternatives, cost-saving options and innovative FF&E solutions that align with client objectives.
  • Prepare tender and procurement packages, assist in bid evaluation and compile recommendation reports that summarize vendor capabilities, costs and delivery schedules.
  • Coordinate with engineers, MEP consultants and contractors to integrate interior elements with structural, mechanical and electrical systems while ensuring constructability and safety compliance.
  • Assist in quality control inspections during and after installation to confirm workmanship, finish tolerances and punch-list items are addressed before client handover.
  • Support permit and code compliance by assembling documentation required for approvals, noting accessibility, fire rating and local regulatory requirements in design documentation.
  • Maintain and update digital project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) to track tasks, assign responsibilities and keep the design team aligned on deliverables and deadlines.
  • Create and maintain clear documentation for warranties, care instructions and maintenance schedules for FF&E items to hand over to clients and facilities teams.
  • Provide administrative support such as drafting client proposals, preparing material costing spreadsheets, generating invoices and coordinating studio calendars and meetings.

Secondary Functions

  • Support marketing and business development by creating case studies, social media content and portfolio updates showcasing completed projects and highlight reels.
  • Assist with showroom organization and client appointment coordination, including staging sample areas and preparing client welcome materials.
  • Participate in sample procurement and returns process, ensuring core samples are cataloged and lenders are tracked to minimize loss and cost.
  • Contribute to sustainability initiatives by researching low-VOC, recycled and responsibly sourced materials and advising on life-cycle implications for specified finishes.
  • Help prepare responses to RFPs and qualifications packages by compiling relevant project work, team bios and technical credentials.
  • Maintain vendor contact lists, subscription accounts, product catalogs and licensing renewals for software and design resources.
  • Provide ad-hoc support for internal office operations such as ordering supplies, coordinating courier services and supervising temporary contractors during high-volume install weeks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • AutoCAD: Create and edit detailed 2D plans, elevations and construction drawings with precise layering and annotation standards.
  • Revit / BIM Basics: Build, modify and coordinate interior models, work with linked files and extract schedules; understand BIM collaboration workflows.
  • SketchUp + Rendering Tools: Rapid 3D modeling skills in SketchUp and rendering proficiency with V-Ray, Enscape or equivalent to produce client-ready visuals.
  • Adobe Creative Suite: Produce polished presentations, mood boards and marketing collateral using InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
  • Space Planning & Code Awareness: Apply ergonomic and accessibility standards (ADA, local codes) to efficient interior layouts and furniture plans.
  • FF&E Specification & Procurement: Prepare specification schedules, generate purchase orders and manage vendor lead times and logistics.
  • Materials & Finishes Knowledge: Strong familiarity with textiles, paints, stone, wood, laminate, metals and sustainable finish options.
  • Technical Drafting & Detailing: Produce millwork details, joinery drawings and installation notes suitable for fabrication and on-site execution.
  • Microsoft Office & Spreadsheets: Excel proficiency for budgets, cost tracking, and procurement logs; PowerPoint for client presentations.
  • Project Documentation & Version Control: Maintain structured document control, RFIs, submittals, transmittals and digital asset libraries.
  • Measurement & Site Survey Skills: Accurate field measurement, condition assessment and ability to translate site data into updated drawings.
  • Cost Estimating & Budget Monitoring: Basic estimating skills, quantity takeoffs and tracking expenditures against approved budgets.
  • CRM / Project Management Tools: Comfortable using Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Procore or similar project management and client communication platforms.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication for client interactions, vendor negotiations and internal coordination.
  • Excellent attention to detail and quality orientation when reviewing drawings, samples and invoices.
  • Time management and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced studio environment.
  • Client-service mentality with tact, professionalism and the ability to interpret ambiguous direction into actionable tasks.
  • Collaborative team player who can take direction, offer solutions and contribute to a positive studio culture.
  • Problem-solving mindset and resourcefulness when sourcing alternatives or resolving on-site issues.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to support changing project priorities and last-minute installation requirements.
  • Creative sensibility and an eye for composition, color, texture and proportion.
  • Strong organizational skills for sample libraries, procurement records and project archives.
  • Negotiation skills to secure favorable terms with suppliers while protecting project budgets.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree, diploma or certificate in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or related field; relevant professional training acceptable.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or Environmental Design.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Interior Design
  • Interior Architecture
  • Architecture
  • Environmental Design
  • Fine Arts / Design Studies
  • Construction Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–4 years of experience in an interior design studio, architecture firm, or furniture/FF&E procurement environment.

Preferred:

  • 2–5 years supporting residential or commercial design projects with proven CAD/BIM, FF&E sourcing and project coordination experience; prior client-facing and site experience is highly valued.
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