How to Find the Right Interior Designer College

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Canoga Park CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's crucial that you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But exactly where do you start? A number of future students will launch their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important factors when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The main difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Canoga Park CA may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on 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 emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. 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, Canoga Park California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training required to start your new profession in Canoga Park CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose 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) exam 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. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 supply advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Canoga Park CA residence. Of course 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 cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 education are excellent, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Canoga Park California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers become 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 some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Canoga Park CA college you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college 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 Canoga Park CA business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Canoga Park CA colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? 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 Canoga Park CA colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Canoga Park home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out 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 design school 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 Canoga Park CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design School near Canoga Park California

Choosing the right interior designer program is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are many factors to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Canoga Park California.