Interior Designer Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Phoenix AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's essential you perform the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school? A number of potential students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On many occasions they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Phoenix AZ may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. 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 can specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers normally focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Phoenix AZ interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in Phoenix AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Arizona vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Colleges

For students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Phoenix AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the school you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Phoenix AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Phoenix AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Phoenix AZ program you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Phoenix AZ business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Phoenix AZ schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Phoenix AZ colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Phoenix home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Phoenix AZ, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Phoenix

Enroll in the Right Phoenix Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design program is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Phoenix Arizona.

 

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