How to Select the Right Interior Designer Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Chandler AZ, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you get the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's essential that you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are considering before you make your final decision. But where do you start? A number of potential students will kick off their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key variables when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. We will cover those topics and other important 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 choices are offered.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The primary difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On many occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Chandler AZ can specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Chandler Arizona interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new profession in Chandler AZ. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Arizona vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student 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 acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Why Study to Become an Interior Designer?

There are many options available to you once you graduate and enter the field of interior design.  If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit you may become self-employed and open your own interior design shop. You might also work for a small or larger design firm. Designers have careers creating interiors for businesses, hospitals, government buildings, as well as private residences. Rarely is a design career a 9 to 5 job. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, and persistent to get your career off the ground. But you will have the opportunity to earn an attractive income as well as the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful living and working spaces.

What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Chandler AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Chandler Arizona employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Chandler AZ program you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy 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 obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a large network of Chandler AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Chandler AZ schools you are looking at and find out what type of support they provide. Many of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Chandler AZ programs you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Chandler home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Chandler AZ, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Designer College near Chandler Arizona

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are several things to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. But it is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Chandler Arizona.