How to Choose the Right Interior Design Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Universal City CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential that you perform the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are reviewing before you make your final selection. But just where do you start? Some prospective students will launch their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask 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 options are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Universal City CA may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers often focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be stressed 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, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Universal City California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree options available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new career in Universal City CA. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at many California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors for such things 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. Doctorate programs are mainly 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 as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Universal City CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Universal City California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Universal City CA school you choose should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Universal City CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Universal City CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Universal City CA schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Universal City home, go to the college and sit in on 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 Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Universal City CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer Program near Universal City California

Picking the right interior designer college is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. But it is still imperative 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 evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Universal City California.