How to Pick the Right Interior Design Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Bellflower 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 interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you perform the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But just where do you begin? Many future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered 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 before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The primary difference between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Bellflower CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room 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 commercial or public spaces, designers often focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Bellflower California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new career in Bellflower CA. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at many California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive 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 2 year programs supply advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Bellflower CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you select 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). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Bellflower California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. So aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Bellflower CA college you choose should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing 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 school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Bellflower CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Bellflower CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Bellflower CA schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Bellflower home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bellflower CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Program near Bellflower California

Picking the right interior design program is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are several factors to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. But it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bellflower California.