How to Choose the Right Interior Designer School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Antelope CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you do the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate decision. But just where do you begin? Many potential students will begin their research by looking for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key difference between the two is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Antelope CA may specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Antelope California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to start your new career in Antelope CA. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be addressed 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 level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt 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 required before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For students who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Antelope CA homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the program you pick is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Antelope CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected 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 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 requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Antelope California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate 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 school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the Antelope CA college you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Antelope CA business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Antelope CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Antelope CA schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Antelope home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Antelope CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Designer Program near Antelope California

Picking the ideal interior designer school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Antelope California.