How to Pick the Best Interior Designer Degree Program

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Boyle Heights CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you get the proper training to put your talents to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are considering before you make your ultimate selection. But just where do you start? Many prospective students will kick off their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important factors when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The primary distinction between them is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Boyle Heights CA may specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Boyle Heights California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training necessary to launch your new career in Boyle Heights CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the trade required 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 furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such 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 mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Boyle Heights CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design school and program 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 earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Boyle Heights California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Boyle Heights CA school you choose should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a sizable network of Boyle Heights CA business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Boyle Heights CA schools you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Boyle Heights CA programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Boyle Heights home, go to the college 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 styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your active 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 Boyle Heights CA, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design Program near Boyle Heights California

Selecting the right interior design college is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are many points to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. But it is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Boyle Heights California.