How to Select the Best Interior Design Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near San Bernardino CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But exactly where do you begin? A number of potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial 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 choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, 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 work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in San Bernardino CA can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including 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 selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, San Bernardino California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training required to launch your new career in San Bernardino CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are offered at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Colleges

For students who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their San Bernardino CA homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your San Bernardino CA residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of 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 compare and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and school that you select has earned accreditation from 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of San Bernardino California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools 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) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the San Bernardino CA college you choose should also provide the suitable 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 Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a significant network of San Bernardino CA business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the San Bernardino CA colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they provide. Many of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the San Bernardino CA programs you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your San Bernardino home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near San Bernardino CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Designer Program near San Bernardino California

Selecting the right interior design program is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Bernardino California.