How to Pick the Best Interior Designer Course

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Montebello CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you perform the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice. But where do you begin? Many prospective students will start their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key variables when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

Start Your Interior Design Career By Requesting Free Info on Local Schools Below

Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires 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 work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Montebello CA may specialize in:

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

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

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Montebello CA. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many 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 degree programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Why Become an Interior Designer?

There are many options available to you once you graduate and enter the field of interior design.  If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit you may become self-employed and open your own interior design shop. You might also work for a small or larger design firm. Designers have careers creating interiors for businesses, hospitals, government buildings, as well as private residences. Rarely is a design career a 9 to 5 job. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, and persistent to get your career off the ground. But you will have the opportunity to earn an attractive income as well as the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful living and working spaces.

What to Ask Interior Design Programs

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Montebello CA home. Obviously 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 options also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. 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 a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Montebello California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Montebello CA school you enroll in should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing 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 design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Montebello CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Montebello CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Montebello CA schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Montebello home, visit the school and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few 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, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Montebello CA, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer Program near Montebello California

Picking the right interior design school is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are many points to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. However it is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Montebello California.