How to Select the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near Pine Bluff 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 appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital that you do the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are looking at before you make your final selection. But exactly where do you begin? Many future students will launch their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key variables when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key distinction between them is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Pine Bluff AR can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Pine Bluff Arkansas interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new profession in Pine Bluff AR. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Arkansas vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Pine Bluff AR home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Pine Bluff Arkansas employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Pine Bluff AR school you choose should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Pine Bluff AR business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Pine Bluff AR schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Pine Bluff AR programs you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Pine Bluff home, go to the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Pine Bluff AR, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College near Pine Bluff Arkansas

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are a number of points to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. However it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Pine Bluff Arkansas.