How to Pick the Best Interior Designer Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near Castro Valley CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's essential that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Many future students will start their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important variables when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss 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 talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The key difference between the two is the level of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Castro Valley CA may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Castro Valley California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training required to start your new career in Castro Valley CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at many California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Colleges

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Castro Valley CA homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Attending classes online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Castro Valley CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional 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 gone through a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Castro Valley California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of 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, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the Castro Valley CA school you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of Castro Valley CA business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Castro Valley CA colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Castro Valley CA programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Castro Valley home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Castro Valley CA, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer School near Castro Valley California

Picking the ideal interior design program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. But it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Castro Valley California.