How to Choose the Right Interior Designer Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Atascadero CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you obtain the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your final choice. But just where do you start? A number of future students will start their research by looking for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important variables when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key difference between the two is the level of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Atascadero CA can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Atascadero California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new profession in Atascadero CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide 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) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically obtain entry level jobs 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 degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Classes

For anyone wishing to study in the comfort of their Atascadero CA homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools 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 structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the perfect option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Atascadero CA home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Atascadero California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

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) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Atascadero CA school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out 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 graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a large network of Atascadero CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Atascadero CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Atascadero CA schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Atascadero home, visit the campus 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 Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Atascadero CA, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near Atascadero California

Picking the ideal interior design school is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest 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 superior training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Atascadero California.