How to Pick the Right Interior Design College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Corona CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial that you perform the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you start? Many potential students will begin their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration also. 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 first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary difference between them is the level of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Corona CA may specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Corona California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to receive the training needed to start your new career in Corona CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job 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 options 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 their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Corona CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. 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 rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Corona California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Corona CA program you select should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance 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 esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Corona CA business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Corona CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Corona CA schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Corona home, go to the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Corona CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College near Corona California

Picking the right interior design school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. But it is still important that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Corona California.