How to Select the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Sunnyvale CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's essential that you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But just where do you begin? A number of prospective students will kick off their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will address those topics and other important 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 training alternatives are available.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The main distinction between the two is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Sunnyvale CA can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Sunnyvale California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to receive the training required to begin your new profession in Sunnyvale CA. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Sunnyvale CA residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Sunnyvale California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require 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 several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Sunnyvale CA program you select 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 School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of Sunnyvale CA business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Sunnyvale CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Sunnyvale CA colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Sunnyvale home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Sunnyvale CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Sunnyvale California

Selecting the right interior designer program is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the business. However it is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Sunnyvale California.