How to Pick the Best Interior Designer Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Santa Paula CA, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you receive the right training to put your natural abilities 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 vital that you carry out the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? Some prospective students will begin their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

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

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need 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 concepts, Santa Paula California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to begin your new career in Santa Paula CA. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree 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", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Santa Paula CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Santa Paula California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Santa Paula CA college you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with 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 probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Santa Paula CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Santa Paula CA schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Santa Paula CA colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Santa Paula home, go to the college and monitor a few 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you choose 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 in the evening or on weekends near Santa Paula CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Santa Paula California

Choosing the ideal interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are several things to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. But it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Santa Paula California.