How to Select the Best Interior Designer School

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Oxnard CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's essential that you do the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each college that you are considering before you make your ultimate selection. But where do you start? Some potential students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are available.

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

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The main distinction between them is the level of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Oxnard CA may specialize in:

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

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

Interior Design Training Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training required to begin your new career in Oxnard CA. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take 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 short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree 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 acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Oxnard CA residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the cheapest 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 should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design program and college that you choose 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Oxnard California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Oxnard CA school you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out 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 field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a large network of Oxnard CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Oxnard CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Oxnard CA colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Oxnard home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oxnard CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College near Oxnard California

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are many points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oxnard California.