How to Choose the Right Interior Design Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer degree program 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 receive the proper 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 may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital that you perform the proper research in order to assess and compare each college that you are considering before you make your ultimate decision. But where do you start? A number of prospective students will kick off their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The key difference between the two is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Madera CA may specialize in:

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

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Madera California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to begin your new career in Madera CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make 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 addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Degree Programs

For students who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Madera CA homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Attending classes online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Madera CA home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design program and college that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school 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, a number of Madera California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Madera CA program you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet 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 attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Madera CA business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Madera CA colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Madera CA schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Madera home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. While there talk 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 Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your active 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 Madera CA, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Best Interior Design Program near Madera California

Picking the right interior design college is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are many things to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. However 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 properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Madera California.