How to Enroll in the Right Interior Design Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Irvine CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's essential that you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you begin? A number of potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key variables when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference 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 areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Irvine CA can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They 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, Irvine California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training required to start your new profession in Irvine CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure 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 discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions 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 approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at many California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical 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 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

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

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Irvine CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify 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 college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Irvine California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Irvine CA college you select should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill 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 earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly 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, 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 profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Irvine CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Irvine CA schools you are looking at and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Irvine CA programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Irvine home, go to the campus 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 approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Irvine CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design School near Irvine California

Choosing the right interior designer school is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program 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 suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Irvine California.