How to Pick the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Southglenn CO, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you get the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's very important that you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Many potential students will start their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at 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 alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Southglenn CO may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Southglenn Colorado interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training needed to start your new profession in Southglenn CO. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose 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 addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at many Colorado community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Southglenn CO residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Southglenn Colorado employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Southglenn CO school you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing 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 design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Southglenn CO business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Southglenn CO colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Southglenn CO colleges you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Southglenn home, visit the campus and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been 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 plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Southglenn CO, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design College near Southglenn Colorado

Picking the right interior designer program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still important that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Southglenn Colorado.