How to Find the Right Interior Design Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Azusa CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing before you make your final selection. But where do you start? A number of future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing 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 alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business 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 trained to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Azusa CA can specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Azusa California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training needed to launch your new career in Azusa CA. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide 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) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at many California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide 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 graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty 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 the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Azusa CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for 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 ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Azusa California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Azusa CA school you select should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Azusa CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Azusa CA schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Azusa CA programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Azusa home, go to the campus and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Azusa CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer School near Azusa California

Picking the ideal interior design school is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. However it is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Azusa California.