How to Select the Best Interior Design College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Santa Clarita CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you carry out the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you begin? Some prospective students will launch their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 choices are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates 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 taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Santa Clarita CA can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers normally concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Santa Clarita California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new career in Santa Clarita CA. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Santa Clarita CA residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding 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 recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Santa Clarita California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Santa Clarita CA school you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate instruction 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 College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of Santa Clarita CA business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Santa Clarita CA schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Santa Clarita CA programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Santa Clarita home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few 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? Last, make sure that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Santa Clarita CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer School near Santa Clarita California

Picking the ideal interior designer school is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of points to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. However it is still important that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Santa Clarita California.