Interior Designer Course
How to Find the Right One Near Scottsdale Arizona

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Scottsdale AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. It's important that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's crucial you carry out the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. But just how do you undertake finding the right program? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary difference between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Scottsdale AZ can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers often focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over appearance as the main concern.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui concepts, Scottsdale AZ interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to start your new career in Scottsdale AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at many Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Classes

For students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Scottsdale AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Scottsdale AZ residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Scottsdale AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Scottsdale AZ program you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. 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 higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a large network of Scottsdale AZ business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Scottsdale AZ schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Scottsdale AZ colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Scottsdale home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Scottsdale AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Scottsdale

Enroll in the Right Scottsdale Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior designer program is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are many points to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still important that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

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