How to Pick the Right Interior Designer School

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Victorville CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital that you do the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. But just where do you start? Some potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are relevant factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will address 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 talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between them is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. 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 Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Victorville CA can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui concepts, Victorville California interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are four degree options available in interior design to acquire the training needed to start your new career in Victorville CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are offered at a number of California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs 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 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Schools

For anyone wishing to attend classes in the convenience of their Victorville CA homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make sure that the college you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Victorville CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior design college and program 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Victorville California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several 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 school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Victorville CA college you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a significant network of Victorville CA business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Victorville CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Victorville CA schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Victorville home, visit the campus and monitor a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Victorville CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer School near Victorville California

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several things to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. However it is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Victorville California.