How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design Degree Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Gilroy CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you get the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's vital that you perform the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your final selection. But exactly where do you begin? A number of prospective students will kick off their research by looking for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account as well. We will cover those issues and other important 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 training alternatives are available.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Gilroy CA can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Gilroy California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training required to begin your new profession in Gilroy CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The 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 require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Gilroy CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national 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 gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Gilroy California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Gilroy CA school you enroll in should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy 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 obtained your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Gilroy CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Gilroy CA schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is imperative 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 assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Gilroy CA programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Gilroy home, visit the campus and monitor a few classes. While there speak with some 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Gilroy CA, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Design College near Gilroy California

Choosing the right interior design program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. However it is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Gilroy California.