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Schools Offering Interior Design Programs near Lake Havasu City AZ

How to Choose the Right Interior Design College

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Lake Havasu City AZ, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you get the right training to put your talents to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital that you perform the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are looking at before you make your ultimate choice. But just where do you start? Many future students will start their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

interior designed living room in Lake Havasu City AZ

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between them is the level of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Lake Havasu City AZ can specialize in:

  • Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
  • Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over appearance as the main concern.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Lake Havasu City Arizona interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training needed to launch your new profession in Lake Havasu City AZ. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

  • Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are offered 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 furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
  • Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
  • Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Lake Havasu City Arizona interior designer bathroomAfter you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Lake Havasu City AZ residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment 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 establish 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 available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Lake Havasu City Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get 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 calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Lake Havasu City AZ program you select should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Lake Havasu City AZ business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Lake Havasu City AZ colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. 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 ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lake Havasu City AZ schools you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Lake Havasu City home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lake Havasu City AZ, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near Lake Havasu City Arizona

interior designed kitchen in Lake Havasu City ArizonaChoosing the ideal interior designer school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many things to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Lake Havasu City Arizona.