How to Find the Right Interior Design Course

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Cathedral City CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you obtain the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? Many potential students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics 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 training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between them is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business 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 taught to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Cathedral City CA may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over appearance as the main concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Cathedral City California interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training needed to launch your new career in Cathedral City CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to pick 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 covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt 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 required before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Cathedral City CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose 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 gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Cathedral City California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an excellent education, the Cathedral City CA college you choose should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Cathedral City CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Cathedral City CA schools you are reviewing and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Cathedral City CA schools you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Cathedral City home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Cathedral City CA, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Program near Cathedral City California

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Cathedral City California.