How to Choose the Best Interior Designer Course

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Oakley CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital that you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision. But exactly where do you start? Some 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 variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be considered as well. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The main distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Oakley CA may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Oakley California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to begin your new career in Oakley CA. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 furnish advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Colleges

For anyone wishing to study in the comfort of their Oakley CA homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Oakley CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the least expensive 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 also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design school and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Oakley California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an exceptional education, the Oakley CA college you select should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Oakley CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Oakley CA schools you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Oakley CA schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Oakley home, go to the school and attend 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 design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oakley CA, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design School near Oakley California

Picking the right interior designer program is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. But it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oakley California.