How to Find the Best Interior Designer School

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near Phoenix AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you get the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's very important that you carry out the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. But exactly where do you start? Some prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into account as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The main distinction between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Phoenix AZ can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers normally focus 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 focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Phoenix Arizona interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training required to start your new profession in Phoenix 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 decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required 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. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at a number of Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors for such things 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 largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ 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 some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Phoenix AZ home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just make sure 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 college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Phoenix Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Phoenix AZ program you enroll in should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Phoenix AZ business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Phoenix AZ colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Phoenix AZ schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Phoenix home, visit the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak 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, verify that the interior designer program you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Phoenix AZ, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Phoenix Arizona

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the business. But it is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Phoenix Arizona.