How to Pick the Best Interior Designer Course

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Fontana 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 interiors, it's important that you receive the proper training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital that you carry out the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each college that you are looking at before you make your final choice. But exactly where do you begin? Some future students will begin their research by looking for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The primary difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Fontana CA may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers normally concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Fontana California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new career in Fontana CA. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Online Interior Design Classes

For students who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Fontana CA homes, there are accredited online interior design classes. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just be sure that the college you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Fontana CA residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer school and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Fontana California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Fontana CA college you choose should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign 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 signify that the college has a significant network of Fontana CA business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Fontana CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fontana CA schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Fontana home, visit the college and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Fontana 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, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer Program near Fontana California

Selecting the right interior designer college is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of factors to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. However it is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fontana California.