Interior Designer School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Paradise Valley Arizona

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Paradise Valley AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each college you are looking at before you make your final selection it's crucial that you perform the appropriate research. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school? Some prospective students will launch their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The principal difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Paradise Valley AZ can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers normally focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Paradise Valley AZ interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training necessary to start your new career in Paradise Valley AZ. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Arizona vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Classes

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Paradise Valley AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Paradise Valley AZ residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Paradise Valley AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Paradise Valley AZ school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of Paradise Valley AZ business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Paradise Valley AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Paradise Valley AZ colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Paradise Valley home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Paradise Valley AZ, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Paradise Valley

Choose the Best Paradise Valley Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior design college is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Paradise Valley Arizona.

 

Paradise Valley Interior Design Degrees | Paradise Valley How To Become An Interior Designer