My advice is to put together something to show people. Then make some phone calls, get some appointments and proceed to sell yourself. Only after you have talked with some folks in your chosen field will you have a better sense of whether professionals have the same opinion of what you do as your friends and family.

Do not hesitate to tell others of what you want to do. Word-of-mouth can do wonders. You must be positive and be able to take a lot of criticism, but you just might make the right contact somewhere and be able to follow up appropriately.

Good luck.

If you really have the passion to become an architect, go for it. There are all kinds of scholarships and grants which might help you go to school full time. Do consider it carefully, however, because first you have to get an advanced degree, then put in years in an architect's office, to get certification.

If you're more interested in design, in general, you can probably get a job as a design associate in a larger firm, if you're determined and don't take no as an answer. If you think it's a good fit and like the people, but they're not hiring, volunteer, and get a night job at a restaurant or something. Once you show that you can be actually useful, a job may open up.

There's still a long education process to become a licensed interior designer, but it's easier to get into and shorter to get out of, and many state colleges have good programs, often with some night and online classes, which might be easier to get through around your work schedule.

Another whole way to go is to just do your own thing. If you don't use the words, you don't need a license. You can call yourself a "lifestyle surroundings consultant" or anything like that, and just help people. Or you can start designing housewares, textiles, etc., and sell them to people you know, do art fairs, etc., and see if you can make yourself a niche.

Similarly, you can get into architecture sideways if you want to do something slightly offbeat like designing "tiny house" RVs or container homes. Perhaps get a job in the field, or just a general job working for a contractor, maker of manufactured homes, etc. Learn about building materials and methods, and work your way back to designing.

Whichever route you take, remember, it's not about how old you are, or how old you'll be when you finish school, or qualify for a license, or build a clientele. It's about your passion and drive. If you're willing to give it your whole attention, like I'm sure you must as an aircraft controller, you can do anything.

What kind of "design"?

The designer who helped me with our master bath remodel went back to school in her 50's and got a certificate in interior design from our junior college. She had a BA and MA in something else so didn't see the need to get another BA in ID. Architecture I think would be a longer program of study.

Many architecture programs are 5 years. I believe architecture is the only building design (used loosely) related profession that is subject to licensure, aside from engineers. I think the word "designer" is a generic term.

Architecture combines the artistic aspects of building design along with a lot of the engineering/construction science. Some type of construction plans need to be signed off by a licensed architect or structural engineer for permitting, some don't. A designer isn't someone whose contribution is recognized in that regard.

Commercial work likely would use either an architect or a structural engineer for liability and insurance reasons rather than an unlicensed person, unless you're talking about something small. A decorator doesn't spec out anything that's structural or subject to building code rules.

Some small residential builders hire or contract with designers to work with customers, others work free lance

I'd check out the employment opportunities in your area before jumping in.

/ (fewer keystrokes than S-lash!) "Designer" is generic, but it gets sticky when used professionally around these fields. A lot depends on the locality, how it's used. A lot of wholesalers, for instance, may require proof, such as ASID membership, to work with an individual designer, and will black ball people who act as if they are and can't back it up. Some states also may have specifications on who may use the word. One way to get around the question is to have a retail store. Then your business identification is as a retailer, rather than designer, even if you do design work.

Wbdavis, if you want to design commercial spaces on any level other than mom and pop, go for the degree and certification.

p-log, I think you're talking about something very different. I'm not sure there's any connection between wholesalers and structural services of architects/structural engineers/"designers". I think you're thinking about buying furnishings, materials, maybe even furniture at discount prices and with a resale certificate to avoid sales tax. That's an unrelated topic.

As far as my username, I wasn't proposing slash but ess-lash. If you're looking for a short cut, I'd need to change my name to something with a one character symbol. Here's one:

I highly suggest you be extremely careful before following pillog's advice! Calling yourself a "lifestyle surroundings consultant" or whatever will not indemnify you from liability if a building falls down, killing people because of a defective design or an RV has insufficient brakes to stop it in an emergency. I'm shocked at that suggestion quite frankly!

Kudos to the OP for the initiative to seek out something new at this point in life. Quite an ambitious destination and I wish you well on it. I can't give you any advice to help, other than do some networking and see if you can find someone in the field who will sit down with you over lunch or an afternoon and talk to you about it, and maybe you can avoid some pitfalls and frustrations. Might not work but good luck in any case.

Cynic, I was not suggesting an untrained person design brakes or engineer buildings! But there are many design jobs that do not require ASID or AIA qualifications. RV makers already know all the technical stuff. When they hire designers, it's for new ideas for space planning and finishes that are functional and will sell well. Not that there are a lot of jobs open there--it was just an example of the kind of place where someone with great ideas can sometimes find a niche without formal qualifications. If you'd read thoroughly, I said get a job with, not do it yourself.

Okay, S-lash, no / for you! Architects--the kind who spec out projects rather than passing high concept drawings to others to finish--and interior designers, rather than "decorators" deal with wholesalers of everything from studs to stone to custom and stock windows to light switches to underwater speakers. I wasn't talking about furnishings.

An unlicensed, uncertified "lifestyles surrounds consultant" can take a design concept for a house to a structural engineer for plans that will pass plan check, and to a qualified general contractor to build. There's nothing illegal or dangerous about it. It still has to pass code, and has to be correctly drawn and built by the pros. What such a consultant lacks is the same thing that a newbie architect lacks--field experience to know that the others are doing their jobs correctly. Architects are not even required, unless by local ordinance, for houses and small business buildings, and people often go straight to the engineer. That's why I brought it up. It's a path that's possible if the OP is more interested in the creative process than the nuts and bolts.

If "construction" is being done - walls added, subtracted or moved, floor loads changed, ceilings/rooflines changed, electrical or plumbing added/subtracted or moved, windows/doors added/subtracted or moved, etc, etc, detailed plans need to be submitted to get a permit. The drawings need to contain ALL detailed specifications for foundations and dirt work, lumber sizes and lengths- loads- locations of features- wire sizes and routing plus any box changes needed- pipe sizes and routing, calcs for any of the preceding, etc etc etc and any other information needed to insure code compliance and to give the inspectors something to check that the actual work, as approved, is carried out as spec'd.

In my remodeling experience with 2 large and 1 smaller job, structural engineers are generally not conversant with the non-structural trades. This takes an architect or a "designer" working with a knowledgeable general contractor and often, even then, a structural eng to bless loads, a soils guy to address foundations in areas where ground is subject to movement or other issues, etc.

Many architects don't belong to AIA - it's an industry organization, not a credential or qualification. The qualification is a state license.

Yes, of course, you have to have complete plans. Many architects create unbuildable plans, and it's structural engineers who make them work. I was thinking build from scratch (the end of it I'm more familiar with), but it's the same in remodeling. You need a structural engineer and a general contractor. The electrician and plumber will also submit plans. Architects do beauty, but often don't do nuts and bolts--or do them so badly they get changed on the fly by the people who know what they're doing. Some architects do it all, and well. Frank Lloyd Wright's roofs leak.

We're not disagreeing in general. But just you try getting into AIA and see how not-qualification it is.

BTW, for the kitchen remodel here, there was no architect. A wall was moved. Windows were moved and sizes were changed, a completely new electrical installation and complicated lighting plan were installed, the foundation was trenched and new plumbing was added, the gas line was rerouted, the main sink was moved, besides what was added, a heating duct was moved, but the ceiling only changed in the change of lighting and in leveling it out. All was done with full permits and inspections.

"But just you try getting into AIA"

I'm not an architect. But having just checked the website, the only requirement to join AIA is to have a valid state architect license. So as I'd suggested before, AIA is an industry organization, not a credential.

When there's a need to sort out problems between plans and intended reality, my experience is that that's the domain of general (and/or trades) contractors.

We 'designed' our own kitchen. Dated and not appropriate for the way we live, we needed some serious upgrading. Interviewed three construction firms, each I provided a drawing (more than just a sketch) including measurements and such. $25,000 later we got what we wanted. We are not designers and I have no idea if the company that did the work needed or got a permit.

If the OP would like to do 'designing' like that, then getting to know local companies that do that kind of work might be good. A potential customer indicates that they want to redo their kitchen, but don't know how to proceed, a referral from the construction folks just might get something going with other referrals.