How to Select the Best Interior Designer Course

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near Glendora 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 interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's crucial that you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each college that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? A number of future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other vital 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 choices are available.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between the two is the amount 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 requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Glendora CA may specialize in:

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

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

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training required to launch your new career in Glendora CA. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at a number of California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually 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, two or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Why 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.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Glendora CA residence. Of course 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 cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Glendora California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Glendora CA program you choose should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Glendora CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Glendora CA colleges you are looking at and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Glendora CA schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Glendora home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Glendora CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design School near Glendora California

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. But it is still important that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Glendora California.