How to Choose the Best Interior Designer School

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Porterville CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your final selection. But exactly where do you start? A number of prospective students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant factors when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing 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 alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Porterville CA may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Porterville California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new profession in Porterville CA. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment 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 technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Why Study 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 Designer Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Porterville CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design school and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Porterville California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. So besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Porterville CA program you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a large network of Porterville CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Porterville CA schools you are reviewing and ask what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Porterville CA schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Porterville home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Porterville CA, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer School near Porterville California

Selecting the right interior designer program is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are many things to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still essential 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 programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Porterville California.