How to Choose the Best Interior Designer Degree Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Diamond Bar CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you get the proper training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's very important that you perform the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are considering before you make your final selection. But where do you begin? Some prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, working 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 educated to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Diamond Bar CA may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Diamond Bar California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training required to launch your new career in Diamond Bar CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level positions 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 technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a 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 enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees 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 three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Diamond Bar CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer school and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, 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 Diamond Bar California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Diamond Bar CA school you enroll in 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 College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Diamond Bar CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Diamond Bar CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Diamond Bar CA programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Diamond Bar home, visit the school and sit in on 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Diamond Bar 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 option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design School near Diamond Bar California

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. However it is still essential that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Diamond Bar California.