Any interior designers on here?

[Animallover2325]

Not sure if I’ve got the right place but I’m hoping for so e advice. My son (16) is going to college to learn about interior design. He’s been interested for a while now. His art is quite good and got the grades to go do it but the said as he’s never specifically studied interior design he should maybe start from access entry level. Anyway he’ll be 17 soon. Doesn’t ask for anything, doesn’t buy clothes or anything very big. I’m wondering if there’s anything useful along the lines if his course or art we could get that he may appreciate? He’s so difficult to buy for

go to an arty bookshop and look for books on design / architecture? big ones with lots of illustrations.

subscription to a posh design magazine like Wallpaper?

Sound like a good idea, thanks x

There are probably some good design apps that are paid for, it might be worth paying a subscription for one of these. Is there anyone he can design a room for? I am just moving house and would love help designing a room from someone like your son.

yes, I reckon some computer aided design training course or something e.g. an online one or something? I'm not sure of the specific software that he will need to use but anything that teaches him digital art might help (e.g. procreate on ipad, Adobe illustrator / photoshop) could be a good bet but there might be something more specific that he needs to learn to do interior design. Reddit might have some interior design subreddits that are more niche you could ask on.

Learn to draw. The ability to visualise and sketch ideas is really important. CAD can only do so much - freehand interpretation is paramount.
So buy him good paper and pencils and encourage drawing all the time!

PS I have a degree in Interior Design, albeit old!

I had some interior designers work for me and just as a stocking filler I would suggest a really good quality metal big retractable tape measure . Needed for so many things - so measuring for furniture / book shelves / window sizes for curtains etc.

Probably not the most exciting idea but mine used to carry them around with them all the time.

Great! Thank you. I think he’s now thinking of deferring for a year but we’ll see. Good ideas for when the time comes though x