Interior Designer School
How to Select the Best One Near Sun City Arizona

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Sun City AZ, it's time to start the process of picking 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 because interior designers are licensed in several states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each program you are considering prior to making your final choice it's very important that you perform the appropriate research. But just how do you approach finding the right program? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking 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 available.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The key difference between them is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Sun City AZ may 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 can specialize in designing one specific room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers often focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui concepts, Sun City AZ interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training needed to start your new profession in Sun City AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at many Arizona vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer 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 their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Courses

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their Sun City AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. 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 sole alternative if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you select is accredited by a highly regarded 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 obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Sun City AZ residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Sun City AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Sun City AZ program you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of Sun City AZ business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Sun City AZ schools you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Sun City AZ schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Sun City home, visit the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Sun City AZ, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Sun City

Enroll in the Best Sun City Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior design program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are several points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Sun City Arizona.

 

Sun City Interior Design Schools Online | Sun City Interior Design Schools