How to Choose the Best Interior Design Course

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer college near Commerce City CO, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you get the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's crucial that you do the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? Some future students will start their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

Start Your Interior Design Career By Requesting Free Info on Local Schools Below

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous 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 some occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Commerce City CO 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 bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally focus predominantly 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 focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example 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 wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Commerce City Colorado interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Commerce City CO. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose 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) exam required in some states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at numerous Colorado vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum 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 provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices 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 their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Commerce City CO home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college 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 exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Commerce City Colorado employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an excellent education, the Commerce City CO school you enroll in should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Colorado or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Commerce City CO business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Commerce City CO colleges you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior design colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Commerce City CO schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Commerce City home, go to the campus and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Commerce City CO, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Right Interior Designer College near Commerce City Colorado

Selecting the right interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are a number of points to think about before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. However it is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Commerce City Colorado.