How to Choose the Best Interior Designer School

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Pine Bluff AR, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's vital that you perform the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are considering prior to making your final selection. But where do you start? Some potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The key distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Pine Bluff AR can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Pine Bluff Arkansas interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Pine Bluff AR. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are offered at numerous Arkansas vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Pine Bluff AR home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Pine Bluff Arkansas employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Pine Bluff AR school you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Arkansas or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Pine Bluff AR business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Pine Bluff AR schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Pine Bluff AR colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Pine Bluff home, visit the school and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Pine Bluff AR, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Pine Bluff Arkansas

Choosing the right interior design school is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for 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 chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are many things to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. But it is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Pine Bluff Arkansas.