Interior Designer Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Tempe Arizona

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Tempe AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's imperative that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each school you are reviewing before you make your final choice it's essential that you carry out the proper due diligence. But exactly where do you begin? Some potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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

Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The primary difference between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On many occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Tempe AZ can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Tempe AZ interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new career in Tempe AZ. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at many Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Classes

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Tempe AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Tempe AZ home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors 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 school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Tempe AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Tempe AZ program you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with 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 obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Tempe AZ business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Tempe AZ colleges you are looking at and ask what type of aid they provide. Many of interior design schools provide financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Tempe AZ colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Tempe home, visit the school and sit in on 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 philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Tempe AZ, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Tempe

Choose the Best Tempe Interior Design College

Picking the right interior designer program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Locating a college where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are several things to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college 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 properly review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Tempe Arizona.

 

Tempe Interior Design Classes Online | Tempe Interior Design Colleges