How to Select the Best Interior Design Course

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Baldwin Park CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be 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 assess and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But where do you begin? Some prospective students will launch their research by looking for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary difference between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Baldwin Park CA can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Baldwin Park California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Baldwin Park CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs 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.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Baldwin Park CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Baldwin Park California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become 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 program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Baldwin Park CA program you enroll in should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask 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 profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Baldwin Park CA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Baldwin Park CA schools you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Baldwin Park CA colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Baldwin Park home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Baldwin Park CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Design School near Baldwin Park California

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are a number of things to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the business. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Baldwin Park California.