How to Choose the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Dublin CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your final decision. But exactly where do you begin? A number of prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design courses 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. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are available.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education 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 living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Dublin 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 can specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers frequently concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Dublin California interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new profession in Dublin CA. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide 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 mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 furnish advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

When you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Dublin CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions 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 select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design program and college that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Dublin California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require 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, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Dublin CA program you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill 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 undoubtedly want some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Dublin CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Dublin CA colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Dublin CA colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Dublin home, visit the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Dublin CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you 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 work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Dublin California

Choosing the ideal interior design college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many points to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. However it is still essential that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Dublin California.