How to Choose the Right Interior Designer Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Surprise AZ, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents 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 essential that you do the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are looking at before you make your final decision. But just where do you begin? Some prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

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

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Surprise Arizona interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to launch your new profession in Surprise AZ. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous 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 provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives 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. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and use 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 professional experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Surprise AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design college and program that you select has been accredited by 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Surprise Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Surprise AZ school you choose should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet 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 probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Surprise AZ business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Surprise AZ schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential 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 Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Surprise AZ colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Surprise home, visit the college and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out 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 certain that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Surprise AZ, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Program near Surprise Arizona

Picking the right interior designer program is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents 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 points 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 field. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Surprise Arizona.