How to Select the Right Interior Designer School

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near La Canada Flintridge CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial that you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each college that you are looking at prior to making your final selection. But just where do you start? Many prospective students will launch their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, 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 spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in La Canada Flintridge CA can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They 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 incorporating Feng shui principles, La Canada Flintridge California interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to receive the training needed to begin your new profession in La Canada Flintridge CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions 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 facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• 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 as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your La Canada Flintridge CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many La Canada Flintridge California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the La Canada Flintridge CA college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training 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 College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of La Canada Flintridge CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the La Canada Flintridge CA colleges you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the La Canada Flintridge CA schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your La Canada Flintridge home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near La Canada Flintridge CA, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design School near La Canada Flintridge California

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are several things to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. However it is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in La Canada Flintridge California.