GCC INTERIOR DESIGN CAREERS

Glendale Community College
Interior Design and Home Furnishings
6000 West Olive Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85302

Susan Campbell,
Occupational Program Director
Tel: 623.845.3164
Fax: 623.845.3159
susan.campbell@gcmail.maricopa.edu

EXCITING CAREERS IN INTERIOR DESIGN

With increased demand for designers and the explosive growth in Arizona of new homes and businesses, Opportunities are everywhere... in residential and commercial design firms, hotel and restaurants, offices, department and furniture stores, hospitals, theaters, model homes, trade show exhibits and more.

Interior designers enhance the function, safety, and quality of interior spaces of private homes and public buildings, along with planning the interiors of room additions, renovations, and kitchen and bath remodels.

Designers prepare sketches, technical drawings, specifications, and presentations for interior construction, furnishings, lighting, and finishes. They design architectural details such as built-in bookshelves, niches, or cabinets, along with coordinating colors and selecting furniture, floor coverings, and window treatments. Designers also design space to conform to Federal, State, and local laws, including building codes.

Related Careers Include:
Furniture design: use knowledge of design trends, competitors' products, production costs and capability, to create home and office furniture that is both functional and attractive.

Visual merchandising: plan commercial displays for retail stores or trade exhibitions.

Commercial and industrial design: develop products such as furniture, home appliances, kitchen appliances, and medical, office, and recreational equipment.

Textile design: fabrics, upholstery, rugs, window treatments, etc.

Set, lighting, and costume design: create for movie, television, and theater productions and design to historical periods, fashions, and architectural styles.

Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People must have an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Designers need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage in most types of design.

Education, skill, creativity, and a portfolio (collection of a person's best work) is required to get into this exciting career field.

Glendale Community College can arm you with the knowledge needed to succeed and assist you in the development of a professional quality portfolio to enter this great and growing career field.

At GCC, you'll get hands-on training to develop solid design skills as well as the core knowledge of architectural history, building codes, drafting, CAD, space planning, interior materials, and business procedures.

GCC has programs to help you enter the design field or the home furnishings industry, and courses to improve your current skill level for advanced career opportunities.

Salaries and Growth:
Earnings vary by specialty and level of responsibility. Salaries range from $21,240 to $69,640 annually. The median range is $29,070 to $53,060.

Projections indicate a 22% increase in jobs through 2010. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Employment Projections and AZ Economic Security Research Administration)

According to the US Dept of Labor, opportunities are best for those with at least 2 years college training, strong technical and creative skills, and computer-aided drafting(CAD).

Some states register/license interior designers, which requires passing the NCIDQ exam. To be eligible, an applicant must have an Associate Degree from an accredited college in the field of Interior Design + industry experience.