1. Since the economy is slow, take a look at your business. As a San Diego Interior Designer, I have been doing this.
2. Work on your marketing- whether its updating your website, business cards, etc.
3. Take a class to learn something new in interior design, graphic design or architecture
4. Continue with going to trade shows so you know the new products that are available
5. Network with other interior designers, interior design firms, interior decorators

Red tape snarls interior designers
Should designing a living room require a license? Connecticut says yes.

Susan Roberts doesn’t believe her design eye should be licensed.
Dell does design and it is not licensed.

(Fortune Small Business) — Susan Roberts can design you a gorgeous living room or a charming kitchen, but don’t call her an “interior designer” – she could be fined $500 and spend a year in jail. Why? Because the state of Connecticut hasn’t licensed her to adopt that moniker.

Recently Roberts received a warning call from the state’s Department of Consumer Protection. In order to obtain an interior designer’s license, the 20-year design veteran would need to pass a $720 standardized exam that tests designers on technical knowledge acquired during six years of combined higher education and work experience. Roberts could be grandfathered for a license because she began practicing before the state licensing law went into effect, but she objects on principle to paying the $150-a-year renewal fee.

“I’ve always felt that this was just another invention to solicit funds for the state,” says Roberts, 66.

In September she joined a group of designers who sued the state to have the nearly three-decade-old law overturned. The plaintiffs are working with the Institute for Justice, a public-interest law firm based in Washington, D.C., that plans to fight “titling” laws in five states. So far, the firm has been successful in overturning a law in New Mexico and is filing another suit this month.

“This is what happens when a particular group tries to lobby for laws to keep out other people who are making their living the same way,” says IFJ attorney Clark Neily.
I believe that creativity and interior design are important attributes but licensing does not make you a better designer. I love designing homes and offices. It is a reflection of what my client wants and our firm gives them what they want. Does one exam tell whether you will be successful in business? We do not agree.
As a San Diego Interior Designer, I want the work of mine and the firm to reflect that. At the end of the day, its the client or business owner that spends the time in the office, not us.

This is not to say that we as designers should not be aware of current codes, new products and restrictions. That is just part of the job. The business end is just as important as the creative end. We must not forget that!!

It is not easy now. People are losing their jobs, no one wants to spend money, etc. I found this article in the New York Times to include in this post

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/weekinreview/04cannell.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

So as a San Diego Interior Designer, I have been looking for other ways to keep my creativity going. The others in my office are taking art classes. It is important to keep going back to the passion you felt about going into this industry – whether in good times or bad times! Almost sounds like wedding vows…

I have put a lot of thought into this and now that banks are not lending money to people, the home improvement market to move up had – I hate to say it – has dried up. What I have noticed that a lot of interior design firms are shrinking down because homeowners are staying where they are and not spending on interior design.

So, what is a san diego interior designer to do? Well, I have noticed a lot of building are investing and upgrading their buidling, whether its the fix the outside or upgrade for earthquakes or just changing the color of paint. Its pretty exciting to see and keep the faith. Things will always work out!