How to Find the Best Interior Design Course

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Rubidoux 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 essential that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's very important that you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Some future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important variables when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The key difference between the two is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Rubidoux CA may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any room of a house, 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 areas, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Rubidoux California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Rubidoux CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for 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 deal with the technical and creative facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Why 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.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Rubidoux CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to 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 looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive 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 school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Rubidoux California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 mandating licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Rubidoux CA school you choose should also provide the proper training 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 obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Rubidoux CA business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Rubidoux CA schools you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Rubidoux CA programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Rubidoux home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Rubidoux CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer Program near Rubidoux California

Choosing the right interior design program is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Rubidoux California.