How to Become a Restaurant Designer
If you want to make restaurants look great, become an interior designer. However, if you want to design restaurants, become an architect. In that role, you are involved in every step of the process, from the groundbreaking to the ribbon cutting. You will also collaborate with other professionals during the restaurant design process, such as interior designers and engineers, who may work in the same firm as you.
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Instructions
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Get a degree in architecture. To become an architect, you must earn a Bachelor of Architecture degree from a school accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. As of 2009, there were 117 NAAB-accredited architecture schools. The bachelor's degree program at most universities generally takes five years to complete. Most architecture programs are highly competitive and contain difficult coursework. Moreover, it is hard to transfer to a different architecture program if you change your mind about the current program in which you enrolled. The courses you will take to be a restaurant designer, according to the BLS, will include those that teach about building design, the history of architecture, architecture theory, how to use computer-aided design and drafting programs, construction, math, liberal arts, physical sciences and professional practice. As a student, you will also spend much of your time in a studio environment where you learn to create drawings and 3-D models of your restaurant design ideas.
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Complete an architecture internship. To become a restaurant designer, you must complete an internship with an architecture firm. Since you want to design restaurants, it is best to seek an internship with a firm that specializes in restaurant design so you can learn more about common problems that arise in this industry, the types of building designs work best and the building codes specific to your state. The BLS reports that most U.S. states require that internships last a minimum of three years before you can take the architecture-licensing exam. An internship is a paid training opportunity for you to gain experience by participating in a firm's current restaurant projects, preparing documents and assisting with the creation of restaurant renderings. You can also obtain architectural certifications during an internship, such as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Your state may offer a certification specific for architects specializing in restaurant design.
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Get licensed to become an architect. Before you get your license, officially call yourself an architect and secure your own clients, you must pass the Architect Registration Exam. According to the BLS, the exam consists of nine sections with graphical or multiple-choice questions.
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References
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