How to Pick the Best Interior Designer School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near San Jacinto CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you receive the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But just where do you start? Many future students will launch their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key issues when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking 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 and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between them is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two general areas that an interior designer in San Jacinto CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers frequently focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need 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, San Jacinto California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to begin your new profession in San Jacinto CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required 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 supply the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at many California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more extensive 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 graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance 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 college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your San Jacinto CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many San Jacinto California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the San Jacinto CA school you select should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements 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 support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a significant network of San Jacinto CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the San Jacinto CA schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the San Jacinto CA colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your San Jacinto home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near San Jacinto CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Program near San Jacinto California

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of things to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still essential that you carry out 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 ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Jacinto California.