How to Enroll in the Right Interior Design College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Queen Creek AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you receive the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you perform the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. But where do you begin? Some prospective students will launch their research by looking for interior design courses 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 should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The main distinction between the two 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 areas. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Queen Creek AZ may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public areas, 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 focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

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

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training required to launch your new profession in Queen Creek AZ. Your decision will no doubt be driven 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 decide to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation 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 a number of Arizona trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things 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 degrees are largely 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.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

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.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Queen Creek AZ residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Queen Creek Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Queen Creek AZ program you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Queen Creek AZ business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Queen Creek AZ colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Queen Creek AZ programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Queen Creek home, go to the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Queen Creek AZ, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near Queen Creek Arizona

Choosing the ideal interior design school is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many points to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. But it is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Queen Creek Arizona.