How to Choose the Right Interior Designer Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Sherman Oaks CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's vital that you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are considering before you make your final choice. But exactly where do you begin? Many future students will launch their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be considered also. 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 before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The key difference between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Sherman Oaks CA may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Sherman Oaks California interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training required to start your new career in Sherman Oaks CA. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the business needed 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 supply advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Sherman Oaks CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you select 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 exceptional, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Sherman Oaks California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become 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 some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Sherman Oaks CA school you select should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs 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 college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a large network of Sherman Oaks CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Sherman Oaks CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Sherman Oaks CA colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Sherman Oaks home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Sherman Oaks CA, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near Sherman Oaks California

Selecting the ideal interior design program is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of factors to think about before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. However it is still important that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Sherman Oaks California.