How to Enroll in the Best Interior Designer College

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near La Canada Flintridge CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate 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 training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are considering before you make your final choice. But where do you begin? Many potential students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration also. 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 first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The key distinction between them is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in La Canada Flintridge CA can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, La Canada Flintridge California interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training necessary to begin your new career in La Canada Flintridge CA. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the trade needed 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 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your La Canada Flintridge CA home. Naturally 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 expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best 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 looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and college 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 undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of La Canada Flintridge California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the La Canada Flintridge CA college you enroll in should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy 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 obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a large network of La Canada Flintridge CA business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the La Canada Flintridge CA schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the La Canada Flintridge CA schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your La Canada Flintridge home, visit the school and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near La Canada Flintridge CA, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Designer School near La Canada Flintridge California

Selecting the ideal interior design school is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are several factors to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in La Canada Flintridge California.