How to Enroll in the Best Interior Designer School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Santa Rosa CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you get the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each school that you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice. But where do you begin? Many prospective students will kick off their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The primary difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Santa Rosa CA can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Santa Rosa California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are four degree options available in interior design to get the training needed to launch your new profession in Santa Rosa CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are offered at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment 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 aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors for such things 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 want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Santa Rosa CA home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. 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 evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Santa Rosa California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Santa Rosa CA program you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. 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 high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a large network of Santa Rosa CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Santa Rosa CA schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is essential 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 Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Santa Rosa CA programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Santa Rosa home, visit the school and attend a couple of classes. While there talk 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Santa Rosa CA, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near Santa Rosa California

Picking the ideal interior designer school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several things to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Santa Rosa California.