Why Hire an ASID Designer?
How can I show the designers my incredible product / service?
What do I need to do to become and Interior Designer?
Where should I go to design school?
Where can I find an internship as a design assistant?
Where can I find a design job in Tucson?

Why Hire an ASID Designer?
ASID interior designers have the training and expertise to manage all the details of your project. They know the importance of listening to your ideas and understanding your needs. From consultation to planning to the finishing touches, they can help you every step of the way, explaining your choices and adding value to your budget. The oldest and largest professional organization for interior designers, ASID has some 20,000 interior design practitioner members. About 4,000 practice residential design; 6,400 practice commercial design; and 9,600 practice a combination of residential and commercial design. All ASID members agree to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Many have passed a professional qualifying examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. In addition to its many publications, ASID offers members continuing education opportunities through its ASID University Campus programs. This means that ASID designers receive the most current information on appropriate materials, technology, building codes, government regulations, health and safety standards, design psychology, and product performance. To locate a qualified ASID designer to help you with your project, contact our Worldwide Referral Service at 800-775-ASID for residential projects or 800-610-ASID for commercial projects.



How can I show the designers my incredible product / service?

	Join ASID as an Industry Partner (IP) this is the best way to present yourself, product/service to our designers. On the web, sign on to www.ASID.org and you will find all the necessary information to become an Industry Partner and the benefits from the National Society. Select Arizona South as your chapter. As a member of the Arizona South Chapter of ASID the following benefits will be provided to you: Annual directory Free Membership list (available e-mail, on disc or in label format) Monthly newsflash e-mailed to you Quarterly hard copy newsletter IP profiles in quarterly (hard copy) newsletter IP Profile or feature on the ASIDTucson.org website Listing on the ASIDTucson.org web page; to the trade or to the public Advertising on the chapter web site (Non ASID members can not advertise on web site) Advertising in the newsletter Discount pricing on all paid advertising * Table-tops at meetings, IP/per meeting (Non-ASID members are charged $75) Participate in IP sponsored event.
	Host a table top at a member meeting for $100.00. Contact Lisa Reeves talentsdesignstudio@cox.net *Table-top presentation is a single table at a member meeting displaying your product / service. You will have a chance to address the membership for 5 minutes during the meeting. The members will have time to stop by, to see what you are presenting, before and after the meeting.
	Purchase our mailing list for $125.00. It is available in: E-mail format ready to be printed on Avery labels for mailing; already printed on labels; on a disk. Updates are issued once during the year. Contact Sharmin Pool-Bak at Spoolbak@aol.com
	Host an ASID member meeting: Contact Amanda Wood at amanda@modelspaces.com. The responsibilities of the host are: Schedule date, time and location with programs committee * Provide area for approx 30 members to sit Provide refreshments and/or lunch or hors d 'ouves Present your business for approx. 20 minutes there will also be a business meeting * Allow board to meet 2 hours prior to meeting (optional) Coordinate educational presenter with programs committee *(If this is not possible, program committee will make other arrangements) There will be a charge for ASID members to attend your meeting.

What do I need to do to become and Interior Designer?

Depending on what aspect of design you want to be involved in dictates the type of education / credentials you will need. Arizona does not have any licensing requirements at this time. To do home decorating by working off a retail showroom floor requires a will to learn, experience in sales and a knack for design. Some retail showrooms will hire based on experience only, others require a design degree.

To truly do interior design in a more comprehensive approach, including floor plans, specifications, detail drawing, electrical and lighting plans you need a college education. To be competitive in today's market, passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam (NCIDQ) is necessary. This is a two-day intensive exam over everything listed above, and more. To sit for the exam the applicant must have a total of six years of design experience & education. Usually it is a four-year design degree and two years experience. The American Society of Interior Designers has two main levels of membership. Allied members must have six years of design experience or a two-year design degree. The professional members of ASID have passed NCIDQ. If you already have a background in design we encourage you to sit for the NCIDQ and join ASID soon. The criterion to become a member or to qualify to sit for the exam is becoming more and more stringent. In the 28 states that presently have licensing for interior designers NCIDQ is the qualifying exam.



Where should I go to design school?
Tucson presently has four programs for interior design. You will be able to find what you are looking for within one of these schools.

	Pima Community College offers an associate's degree in interior design in a two year program. The cost is comparable with other community colleges.
	Northern Arizona University in partnership with Pima Community College offers the second two years of Interior design to attain a bachelor's degree. This is a state institution and follows the guidelines and fee structure similar to other state universities.
	The Art Center Design College offers an associate's and a bachelor's degree in interior design. This is a private design college and the cost is comparable with other private design institutions.
	Tucson Design College offers certificate, Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Interior Design. They are ACICS accredited and are a private college whose tuition is comparable to other private colleges.

Financial aid is available. Visit the schools that you are interested, ask questions, look at the students work, speak with the teachers and advisors. Review the recommended courses and schedules. Some schools operate by semesters others by the quarter. Question policies; about absences, missed deadlines, expectations for projects. Design is a very visual field and the education requires numerous projects. The design time out of the classroom can be extensive. This time should be factored into your schedule. Be realistic in the number of hours you take in a semester or quarter. Evaluate your finances. Will you need to be working while in school? Most importantly talk with some of the students. Does the school offer any job placement after graduation? Check on line for more information about interior design at www.ASID.0rg. Evaluate your earning power, in the classifieds (www.asid.org.) based on the type of degree you plan on earning. Income varies tremendously based on location. Make your decision and get started on your new career as an interior designer!



Where can I find an internship as a design assistant?
We now have a classifieds section in our web site to aid you. The classified section is available to ASID South members. If you are an ASID South member or student member, login in to the members section and click on the classified tab. Good Luck

Where can I find a design job in Tucson?
We now have a classifieds section in our web site to aid you. The classified section is available to ASID South members. If you are an ASID South member or student member, login in to the members section and click on the classified tab. Or you can check with the firms listed in our directory. Go on line to www.ASID.org to see if there are any positions posted for the Tucson area. Good Luck!