How to Choose the Best Interior Design Course

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Bentonville AR, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital that you carry out the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you begin? Many future students will start their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key issues when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The key difference between them is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Bentonville AR may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers often focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Bentonville Arkansas interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new profession in Bentonville AR. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Arkansas trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For anyone wishing to attend classes in the convenience of their Bentonville AR homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Bentonville AR residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and school that you select 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Bentonville Arkansas employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So besides providing an excellent education, the Bentonville AR school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a large network of Bentonville AR business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Bentonville AR colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Bentonville AR colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Bentonville home, go to the school and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bentonville AR, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Design Program near Bentonville Arkansas

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many points to think about before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. However it is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bentonville Arkansas.