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Schools Offering Interior Design Programs near Castro Valley CA

How to Find the Right Interior Design Course

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Castro Valley 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 spaces, it's important that you obtain the proper 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 could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's essential that you perform the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your final decision. But just where do you begin? Some potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant variables when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking 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 class options are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

interior designed living room in Castro Valley CA

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main distinction between them is the level of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Castro Valley CA can specialize in:

  • Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
  • Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public areas, designers frequently focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Castro Valley California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training needed to launch your new career in Castro Valley CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

  • Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
  • Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish 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 minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
  • Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices 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 programs are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Why Become an Interior Designer?

Castro Valley CA student attending interior design school onlineThere are many options available to you once you graduate and enter the field of interior design.  If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit you may become self-employed and open your own interior design shop. You might also work for a small or larger design firm. Designers have careers creating interiors for businesses, hospitals, government buildings, as well as private residences. Rarely is a design career a 9 to 5 job. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, and persistent to get your career off the ground. But you will have the opportunity to earn an attractive income as well as the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful living and working spaces.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Castro Valley CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment 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 acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Castro Valley California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Castro Valley CA college you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Castro Valley CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Castro Valley CA schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small 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. Find out from the Castro Valley CA colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Castro Valley home, visit the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Castro Valley 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 due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near Castro Valley California

interior designed kitchen in Castro Valley CaliforniaPicking the right interior design college is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many points to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Castro Valley California.