How to Choose the Right Interior Designer School

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near North Hollywood CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's essential that you perform the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each college that you are considering before you make your final choice. But where do you start? Some future students will start their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at 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

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between them is the level of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in North Hollywood CA may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, North Hollywood California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training necessary to start your new career in North Hollywood CA. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position 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 offer options in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Why Train to 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.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your North Hollywood CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning 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 agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many North Hollywood California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require 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, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the North Hollywood CA program you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam 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? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing 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 school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a large network of North Hollywood CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the North Hollywood CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the North Hollywood CA schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your North Hollywood home, visit the college and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near North Hollywood CA, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College near North Hollywood California

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are several points to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations 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 drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in North Hollywood California.