How to Choose the Right Interior Design Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Sacramento 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 imperative that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But where do you start? A number of potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key factors when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between them is the amount of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Sacramento CA may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular 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 emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Sacramento California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are four degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to start your new career in Sacramento CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university 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 require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Sacramento CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program 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 education are excellent, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Sacramento California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of 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 some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Sacramento CA program you choose should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher 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 might also signify that the school has a significant network of Sacramento CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Sacramento CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Sacramento CA schools you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Sacramento home, visit the school 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 approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

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

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Sacramento California

Choosing the right interior designer program is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. But it is still essential that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Sacramento California.