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If you have always enjoyed arts, crafts, and decorating, you might have the chance to transfer those interests into a paying career.
Have you ever considered interior designing?
If so, take action as soon as possible toward making your dreams come true.
Article Table of Contents
Alaska Requirements for Interior Designers
The state of Alaska does not require interior designers to have a license to operate in this state.
They also do not offer registration for interior designers.
However, you might find the support you need from The Alaska Professional Design Council or the Designer Society of America.
In fact, having these two associations backing you provides you the confidence you need, so strongly consider those two resources.
5 Interior Design Schools in Alaska
You can train for your interior design career online and in person.
Some online offerings might provide you with the professional training you need to start working within a year or two.
The university-level degrees would provide you with broader concepts of art, in general, you can use when working as an interior designer or decorator whether you already found a job in this field or not.
Penn Foster Interior Design School
You would receive much of your training online at this school.
This reference site will also connect you with higher learning institutions where you can achieve an associate or bachelor’s degree.
To make sure you end up on the learning track that meets your needs, you will want to read the difference between interior design and decorating.
Then, you can decide if you want to focus on interior structures or the decoration aspects, both of which do require some special calculations.
The Interior Design Institute
This school also provides you a chance to learn online in case you cannot find an interior design school near you.
Instructors will guide you through practical applications of colors, space, and theory using “real world” examples that you would execute during your time in class.
New York Institute of Art & Design (Online)
Since Alaska does not have any specific licensing requirements for interior designers, you can take an out-of-state, online course.
You might want to check this one out because it offers specific training for instances you would encounter in “real life.”
It is ideal for you if you want to start learning relevant concepts without taking three to four years of textbook classes first.
The University of Alaska Anchorage
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design prepares you to design the insides of homes and buildings.
However, it takes you beyond creative basics.
Courses you would take include space planning, materials and finishes, color theory, and art history.
You will also learn the difference between two- and three-dimensional design for creating indoor spaces.
Alaska Pacific University
Become immersed in art, history, and culture.
If you do, you will have a frame of reference to apply when creative design schemes of different eras.
This school offers a Liberal Arts learning track, and you can earn a Bachelor’s or Masters of Arts here.
However, you may need to find out if they have the maths, science, and engineering or architecture courses related to interior design, which is more than just interior decorating.
Interior Design Schools in Alaska – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Penn Foster Interior Design School | 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 |
| The Interior Design Institute | 75 Broadway Suite 202 San Francisco, CA 94111 |
| New York Institute of Art & Design (Online) | 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 66 New York, New York 10003 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 3211 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508, |
| Alaska Pacific University | 4101 University Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508, |
Additional Training Resources
If you cannot find the interior design training that meets your needs, you may want to consult the Alaska Arts Education Consortium.
This organization works along with the National Endowment for The Arts and The Alaska State Council for The Arts.
In addition, you could contact the Alaska Professional Design Council, which reaches out to interior designers, engineers, landscapers, and land surveyors.
Salary
You can earn an annual salary of $54,670, with incomes ranging from $43,345-$59,965, depending on work location.
The amount of prior experience and years of training also may influence how much you make.
Places you might find jobs include Anchorage, Ketchikan Gateway, or Palmer.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage | $54,241 |
| Juneau | $53,758 |
| Fairbanks | $54,017 |
| Sitka | $53,027 |
| Ketchikan | $53,027 |
| Kenai | $53,509 |
| Kodiak | $53,509 |
| Bethel | $53,509 |
| Wasilla | $53,509 |
| Barrow | $53,285 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is interior design a competitive field?
It can be, depending on the type of interior design you pursue.
If you open yourself up to a variety of possibilities in industrial, commercial, and home design, you should not have too much of a problem finding work.
The job growth outlook is predicted to be “little to no change” from 2020 to 2030.
How long does it take to become an interior designer?
You may need to take at least a couple of years of schooling, but you also can seek on-the-job training opportunities.
If you already performed jobs for people on the side, it may help you acquire additional paid experience even before you complete formal training.
Are interior designers architects?
No, they are two different lines of work.
However, you will need to work with an architect as an interior designer to make sure the furnishings and decorations you want to display in the space will fit.
It may benefit you to take a few drafting classes, which normally architects would take, to fully understand how interior design works.
What issues do interior designers face?
If working on a team, everyone will have to agree on how to display a room.
It also might come as a challenge when your customers ask you for customizations you are not sure are possible.
For instance, buildings and homeowners might want you to add furnishings that do not come in the size and shape meant for a space, but your clients might still want them.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State