How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design Course

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Foothill Farms CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's very important that you do the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But just where do you begin? Some potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 options are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The key distinction between them is the level of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Foothill Farms CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers frequently focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Foothill Farms California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in Foothill Farms CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose 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 some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are available at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Foothill Farms CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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 earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Foothill Farms California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare 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) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Foothill Farms CA college you select should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a substantial network of Foothill Farms CA business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Foothill Farms CA colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Foothill Farms CA programs you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Foothill Farms home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Foothill Farms CA, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Designer Program near Foothill Farms California

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several things to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. But it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Foothill Farms California.