Season seven of HGTV's hit series Design Star, set to premiere Aug. 21, is calling on interior designers, design enthusiasts, builders, architects and artists to compete in design challenges for a chance to win their own show.

Castings will be held around the country in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Charlotte, Miami, New York City and Boston. Check the official casting website for details.

Editor at Large had a chance to chat with Jennifer Sullivan, the casting director for the show, about what it takes to make the cut.

EAL: What does it take to be a successful Design Star candidate?

JS: A successful Design Star candidate is someone who has a lot of talent in design, someone who is extremely creative and can work at a fast pace. This person will also have comfort in front of the camera. We are looking for people who are open and are looking to connect with an audience using their energy and enthusiasm for design.

This season, in addition to designers, you are looking for industry professionals with specific design-related skills such as upholsterers, seamsters and seamstresses, art directors, stylists, set dressers, lighting designers and textile designers in addition to actual designers and decorators.

EAL: How would they fit into a show which is usually strictly made up of designers and decorators?

JS: We are extremely open to all types of designers and artists because the show is about design talent and someone's eye for design in one area can be trancended into other areas of design. We are definitely looking at people who have an interesting portfolio and who really have a clear point of view on design and what they believe in.

EAL: What’s in it for the designers?

JS: Designers will win their own show on HGTV. It's all an experience of a lifetime participating in this type of competition.

EAL: Are there any challenges they should definitely be prepared for?

JS: Thousands of people apply so it is not an easy process. We need an application, we need to see designer portfolios and we need to see designers on camera!

EAL: How does a typical Design Star casting call go?

JS: Applicants will sign in upon arrival at the casting. When they are called, they will have a short 2-3 minute interview with a casting producer. In this time, they will be asked all about their life and design, where they live, why they want to be the Design Star. They will also be asked to show a few of their favorite pictures of their work. If there are chosen for a callback, they will hear over the next few days via phone.