If you love home decor and have always wanted to be an interior designer, but never knew how to land clients and get started, today’s Make More segment is for you. Introducing a new online service called Modsy. As a designer for Modsy you create 360-degree drawings of rooms —complete with furniture and decor recommendations— so clients can SEE how their room will look before they buy a thing. We’ll talk with a Modsy team member in a moment, about how much money you can SAVE by using Modsy instead of traditional interior design services. But first, let’s talk about how to MAKE more through Modsy. My first guest is Tara Smith, a Modsy interior designer. Welcome to Easy Money, Tara.
Tara, First of all, explain what Modsy is.
Modsy is a personalized home design solution that utilizes advanced 3D visualization technology to change the way consumers decorate and shop for their homes. Modsy designers create perfectly-scaled, 360-degree room renderings based on each customer’s individual style; complete with room layout, furniture, and decor recommendations.
And I know your title is interior designer, but give us more details about what you do for Modsy, from start to finish of a project?
I work for Modsy as an interior designer for their Style Network. I create designs for clients using Modsy’s proprietary 3D imaging technology. I create 3D, 360-degree renderings of rooms in client’s homes, so they can “try on” furniture and decor that is perfectly to scale.
What kind of background do you have, that this is a good fit for you?
In 2007 began my career by acquiring an interior design internship at Westport Yachts, assisting in the design of large scale, luxury yachts. Then I explored the area of residential design at Henredon & Schoener, a design + build company in Seattle WA. I was soon promoted to lead designer. In 2014 I went back to school at the CIDA accredited Art Institute of Seattle to acquire my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. Going back to school fueled my passion for the tech side of design and so I shifted focus and began to specialize in 3D renderings and technical design documents. When I found Modsy and saw what they were doing with not only design but 3D technology, I knew it would be a great fit for me.
For those listening who are intrigued, what sort of background might they need to work for Modsy?
Anyone with a relevant degree (interior design, art history, graphic design, architecture, etc.) can apply for Modsy’s Style Network, making it a great side hustle for recent grads looking to build their portfolio and work directly with clients.
Are Modsy stylists employees or independent contractors or how does that part work?
All are independent contractors, which means you can work from anywhere in the world!
What kind of hours do you and other stylists put in for Modsy and how many projects might you work on during those hours?
Most stylists commit to 20-40 hours/week. Modsy stylists get to work on 20-30 projects per week (many more than the average interior designer!)
What’s your favorite thing about working for Modsy?
I’ve been at Modsy for 10 months and it’s been amazing!! It allows me the flexibility to continue traveling while utilizing my skills and background that I gained during my 10+ years in the interior design industry and fulfills my passion for tech, project management and design!
How about the money? Is this side hustle money or main gig money for you?
It started as a side hustle for me, and within a month it turned into my main gig.
How much money have you been able to make through Modsy?
It varies depending how many hours you put in. There are definitely months where I have other adventures and make less.
Is it about the money or the freedom for you? I know you and your husband are experimenting with being digital nomads…
Both. One begets the other!
Tara Smith, Modsy interior designer, thank you SO much for joining me on Easy Money!
Tara Smith Bio:
I am a Pacific Northwest native, but in September 2016 my curiosity about the world and my desire to learn and explore got the better of me and I began living as a nomad, traveling the U.S. with my adventure-loving husband.
I have always had a passion for beautifully crafted design, art and architecture, and in 2007 began my career by acquiring an interior design internship at Westport Yachts, assisting in the design of large scale, luxury yachts. After four years and a promotion from intern to interior designer, I left Westport Yachts to explore the area of residential design and found a home at Henredon & Schoener, a design + build company in Seattle WA. I was soon promoted to lead designer and put in charge of their new hire training program. In 2014 I made the difficult decision to go back to school at the CIDA accredited Art Institute of Seattle to acquire my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design while continuing to work full-in the design industry.
Going back to school fueled my passion for the tech side of design and so I shifted focus and began to specialize in 3D renderings and technical design documents. Work that I was able to complete while being on the road! I was intrigued with the concept of E-design and started researching all the major companies out there. When I found Modsy and saw what they were doing with not only design but 3D technology, I knew it would be a great fit for me, and luckily they were hiring!
I’ve been at Modsy for 10 months and it’s been amazing!! It allows me the flexibility to continue traveling while utilizing my skills and background that I gained during my 10+ years in the interior design industry and fulfills my passion for tech, project management and design!
