How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Palm Desert CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you receive the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your final selection. But where do you begin? A number of future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Palm Desert CA may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Palm Desert California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new profession in Palm Desert CA. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to 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 choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives 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 degrees 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.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

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.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Palm Desert CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Palm Desert California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Palm Desert CA program you enroll in should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill 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 received your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Palm Desert CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Palm Desert CA schools you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Palm Desert CA colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Palm Desert home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you choose provides 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 Palm Desert CA, make sure 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, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Palm Desert California

Selecting the ideal interior design school is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are many factors to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. But it is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Palm Desert California.