How to Choose the Best Interior Design College

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Madera CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you get the right 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 appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision. But exactly where do you start? Many prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers 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 before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The main distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Madera CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers often concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

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

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new career in Madera CA. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Madera CA home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Madera California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Madera CA program you choose should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Madera CA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Madera CA schools you are looking at and ask what type of support they provide. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Madera CA colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Madera home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer program you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Madera CA, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Designer Program near Madera California

Selecting the ideal interior designer school is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Madera California.