How to Select the Best Interior Designer College

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Tustin CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you do the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But just where do you start? Many potential students will begin their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account as well. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in 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 offered.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates 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 living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Tustin CA can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Tustin California interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new career in Tustin CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of 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. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects 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 two year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Tustin CA home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program 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 outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Tustin California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get 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 school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Tustin CA school you select should also furnish the suitable instruction 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 obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a substantial network of Tustin CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Tustin CA schools you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Tustin CA programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Tustin home, visit the school and attend a few classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Tustin CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Designer Program near Tustin California

Choosing the ideal interior design college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. However it is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Tustin California.