How to Choose the Right Interior Design School

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Tempe AZ, it's time to begin 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 get the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's very important that you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? Many future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key factors when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in 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 choices are available.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key difference between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Tempe AZ may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers often focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over looks as the primary consideration.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui concepts, Tempe Arizona interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in Tempe AZ. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous Arizona trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position 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 choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Tempe AZ residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Tempe Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate 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, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Tempe AZ school you enroll in should also provide the proper training 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 Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Tempe AZ business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Tempe AZ schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Tempe AZ colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Tempe home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Tempe AZ, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Designer Program near Tempe Arizona

Selecting the right interior designer program is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are several factors to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the design college and program 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 rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Tempe Arizona.