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Maybe you have had some chance to experience making people happy by helping them create a home they love.
This may have started out with setting up a room display and decorating it according to how it would suit that area.
If so, you may have potential as an Interior Designer.
It does require some determination on your part, but you can succeed if you have ambition.
Article Table of Contents
State Requirements for Interior Designers
To qualify for an Interior Design License in New Mexico, you must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least 60 semester hours of college-level coursework in interior design or a related field.
You must also have two years of experience working as a professional interior designer.
The state also forbids you from using the “Interior Designer” job title until you have passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam.
To make sure you receive the right education to pass your NM licensing example, acquire training from a school that has a Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
5 Interior Design Schools in New Mexico
Before you sign up for an online training program, make sure the institution has an affiliation with CIDA and understands the NCIDQ exam requirements.
If attending a local school, you may have the chance to meet with an advisor in person to make sure the training meets NM licensing criteria.
New Mexico University
New Mexico University offers quite a few options for interior designers.
You can start off with the Introduction to Interior Design class.
This will give you an idea of what to expect if you were to work in this field without committing to a full course load.
By the time you complete this introductory class, you probably will know if this occupation is for you or not.
You also can jump right into the full certificate track that takes about six months to complete if you are sure interior design is the career for you.
This certificate program includes an introductory course, too.
That is not all NMU offers, however.
You also can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of a variety of creative disciplines.
Broaden your interior design expertise with art history, education, ecology or experimental art, technology, and drawing.
Discuss opportunities with an academic advisor to find out what classes would most pertain to an interior design career.
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University prepares students for interior design careers in residential, commercial, or institutional settings.
You also can enter into the world of architecture.
In addition to classroom instruction, NMSU students gain hands-on experience working in the school’s own Design Center and in the community.
In addition, you can increase your artistic understanding of creative works in general by signing up for an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Fine Arts, Art History, and Studio Art.
Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe offers a variety of options for art and design majors.
Speak with an academic advisor for advice about how to best prepare yourself to become an interior designer.
You may have access to both certificate and degree programs.
During your training period, you will learn a variety of techniques in your classes that would assist you with architectural history, space planning, color theory, computerized drawing, and more.
Academy of Art University
This institution has training courses approved by CIDA.
The degree programs offered by the Academy of Art range from animation to fashion design, and they have an Interior Architecture and Design area of interest you can explore.
For instance, you might immerse yourself in designing furniture or fixtures later placed in spaces.
Otherwise, you maybe have an interest in preparing the interior display for commercial buildings or vacation hotels.
Speak to school advisors to refine your training path according to your goals.
Central New Mexico Community College
Central New Mexico Community College program provides students with the skills they need to become successful interior designers.
Learn color theory, space planning, and furniture design, for example.
In addition, take advantage of internship opportunities and gain real-world experience.
You also can sign up for the Environmental Planning and Design program, which teaches you how to create sustainable interior displays.
Graduates of the program are prepared for careers as interior designers or home stagers.
They can work for firms or businesses that specialize in residential or commercial interiors, or they can start their own company.
Upon completion of your CNMCC training, you also could move on to becoming an architect and design whole building interiors.
Interior Design Schools in New Hampshire – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| New Mexico University | Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 277-0111 |
| New Mexico State University | 1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003 |
| Santa Fe Community College | 6401 Richards Avenue Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508 |
| Academy of Art University | 180 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
Salary
An interior designer can make an average of $52,141 per year in New Mexico.
You may find several opportunities in Albuquerque, but you can also search job postings in Santa Fe, La Cruces, Roswell, Hobbes, Rio Rancho, and other cities.
Take advantage of as many paid and unpaid practical experiences while in school to increase your earnings over time.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $45,658 |
| Las Cruces | $41,454 |
| Santa Fe | $46,087 |
| Rio Rancho | $45,511 |
| Roswell | $42,770 |
| Farmington | $45,141 |
| Alamogordo | $43,502 |
| Clovis | $43,934 |
| Hobbs | $43,536 |
| Carlsbad | $42,770 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 70 | $58,220 | $27.99 | $82,080 | $39,720 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 40 | $54,190 | $26.06 | $66,070 | $34,360 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a New Mexico Interior Designer license cost?
Your NM Interior design application fee may cost you at least $100.
Additional considerations may apply, which you would add to your cost as you fill out the application.
Contact the state or ask your instructors for licensing guidance.
What happens if I do not get an Interior Designer license?
You may have to operate under a person who has the qualifying credentials before you can “officially” call yourself an Interior Designer.
This may or may not affect how much you get paid, and you may limit yourself to opportunities offered to other workers who have established themselves as credible provider in the state.
What services does an interior designer typically offer?
Interior designers typically spend their days planning the space, and this includes choosing the right colors, textures, lighting, and materials to use in space.
In addition, they might involve themselves in window placement as pertaining to how they will appear indoors.
Some designers may offer construction management or relocation coordination services and work alongside architects.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State