How to Select the Right Interior Designer College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Fullerton CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you receive the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you carry out the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But just where do you start? Some potential students will start their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important factors when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking 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 Design compared to Interior Decoration

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

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers frequently focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to 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 main consideration.

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

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to begin your new career in Fullerton CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit 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) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are offered at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Why Study to Become an Interior Designer?

There are many options available to you once you graduate and enter the field of interior design.  If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit you may become self-employed and open your own interior design shop. You might also work for a small or larger design firm. Designers have careers creating interiors for businesses, hospitals, government buildings, as well as private residences. Rarely is a design career a 9 to 5 job. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, and persistent to get your career off the ground. But you will have the opportunity to earn an attractive income as well as the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful living and working spaces.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Fullerton CA residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Fullerton California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program 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) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Fullerton CA program you enroll in should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, 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 regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Fullerton CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Fullerton CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Fullerton CA colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Fullerton home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your busy 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 Fullerton CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design Program near Fullerton California

Picking the right interior designer school is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are many things to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fullerton California.