How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Loveland CO, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's essential that you do the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each college that you are looking at prior to making your final decision. But exactly where do you begin? A number of prospective 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 issues when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between them is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates formal training 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 areas attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Loveland CO can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Loveland Colorado interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new career in Loveland CO. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at many Colorado trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for 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 graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized 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 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 three to five years.

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

Online Interior Design Classes

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Loveland CO homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the only option if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the program you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Loveland CO home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. 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 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 acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Loveland Colorado employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Loveland CO college you enroll in should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Colorado or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance 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 high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Loveland CO business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Loveland CO schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Loveland CO schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Loveland home, visit the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Loveland 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, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer School near Loveland Colorado

Selecting the right interior design program is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several factors to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Loveland Colorado.