How to Select the Right Interior Design Course

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near East Irvine CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you receive the right training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's very important that you carry out the proper research so that you can assess and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But where do you start? A number of potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. We will discuss 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 talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The main distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in East Irvine CA may specialize in:

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential 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 selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, East Irvine California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new career in East Irvine CA. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally obtain 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 deal with the creative and technical aspects 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 2 year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors in general areas such 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 largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

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

Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your East Irvine CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional 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 programs and instructors. 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many East Irvine California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an exceptional education, the East Irvine CA college you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of East Irvine CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the East Irvine CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they provide. Many of interior design schools provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the East Irvine CA colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your East Irvine home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near East Irvine CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Best Interior Design Program near East Irvine California

Selecting the right interior design school is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of points to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. However it is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in East Irvine California.