How to Choose the Best Interior Design Program

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near La Jolla CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you receive the right training to put your skills to work. And since several states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Many future students will begin their research by looking for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those topics 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 talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between them is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in La Jolla CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers often focus 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 hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, La Jolla California interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to get the training necessary to launch your new profession in La Jolla CA. Your choice 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 no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at numerous California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more extensive 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 job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your La Jolla CA residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable school 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 look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm 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 may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many La Jolla California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the La Jolla CA college you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a large network of La Jolla CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the La Jolla CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the La Jolla CA programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your La Jolla home, visit the college and attend a couple of classes. While there 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near La Jolla CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design College near La Jolla California

Selecting the ideal interior design school is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are many points to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review 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 La Jolla California.