How to Find the Best Interior Designer School

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Napa CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital that you carry out the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But exactly where do you start? Many potential students will start their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between the two is the level of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing 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 spaces functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Napa CA can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui concepts, Napa California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new profession in Napa CA. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain 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 accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Napa CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you choose 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 earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure 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 college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Napa California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Napa CA program you enroll in should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher 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 may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Napa CA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Napa CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of support they provide. Many of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Napa CA programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Napa home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Napa CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design School near Napa California

Picking the ideal interior design school is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Finding a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are many things to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Napa California.