How to Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Riverside 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 interiors, it's imperative that you receive the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's vital that you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate decision. But just where do you start? A number of prospective students will kick off their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account 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 cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The key distinction between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Riverside CA can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Riverside 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 obtain the training needed to start your new profession in Riverside CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives 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 pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

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

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Riverside CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Riverside California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Riverside CA program you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools 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 sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Riverside CA business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Riverside CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of support they provide. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Riverside CA programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Riverside home, visit the school 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Riverside CA, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Right Interior Designer College near Riverside California

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many factors to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. However it is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Riverside California.