How to Enroll in the Right Interior Designer School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Santa Paula 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 spaces, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial that you perform the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection. But exactly where do you start? A number of prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education 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 work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Santa Paula CA may specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to 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 create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Santa Paula California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to begin your new career in Santa Paula CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Schools

For students who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Santa Paula CA homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Santa Paula CA home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Santa Paula California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Santa Paula CA school you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Santa Paula CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Santa Paula CA colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Santa Paula CA schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Santa Paula home, visit the school and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Santa Paula CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer School near Santa Paula California

Selecting the right interior design college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are several points to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Santa Paula California.