How to Pick the Right Interior Design Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Ceres 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 essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you do the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But exactly where do you begin? Some future students will kick off their research by searching for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone 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 formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On many occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Ceres CA may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers frequently focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Ceres California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new career in Ceres CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations 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 approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives 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 mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college has to be within driving distance from your Ceres CA residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you choose has been accredited by 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). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Ceres California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate 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, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the Ceres CA program you choose should also provide the suitable education 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 earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a significant network of Ceres CA business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Ceres CA schools you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Ceres CA programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Ceres home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Ceres CA, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Design School near Ceres California

Choosing the ideal interior designer college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Ceres California.