How to Choose the Right Interior Design College

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Chino Hills CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you get the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you carry out the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But exactly where do you start? Some future students will launch their research by searching for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key distinction 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 talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Chino Hills CA may specialize in:

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

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Chino Hills California interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training required to launch your new profession in Chino Hills CA. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level positions 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 technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college must be within driving distance from your Chino Hills CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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 a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Chino Hills California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become 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 program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Chino Hills CA college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement 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 regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of Chino Hills CA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Chino Hills CA schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Chino Hills CA schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Chino Hills home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design program you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Chino Hills CA, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design Program near Chino Hills California

Choosing the right interior designer college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still essential that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations 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 quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Chino Hills California.