How to Find the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Wheat Ridge CO, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital that you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are looking at before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you start? Some future students will begin their research by looking for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask 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 class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The primary distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Wheat Ridge CO may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui concepts, Wheat Ridge Colorado interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new profession in Wheat Ridge CO. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Colorado community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five 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 several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Why Become an Interior Designer?

There are many options available to you once you graduate and enter the field of interior design.  If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit you may become self-employed and open your own interior design shop. You might also work for a small or larger design firm. Designers have careers creating interiors for businesses, hospitals, government buildings, as well as private residences. Rarely is a design career a 9 to 5 job. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, and persistent to get your career off the ground. But you will have the opportunity to earn an attractive income as well as the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful living and working spaces.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Wheat Ridge CO home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify 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 school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Wheat Ridge Colorado employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Wheat Ridge CO school you select should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Colorado or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a significant network of Wheat Ridge CO business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Wheat Ridge CO colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Wheat Ridge CO colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Wheat Ridge home, go to the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Wheat Ridge CO, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College near Wheat Ridge Colorado

Picking the ideal interior designer college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. But it is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Wheat Ridge Colorado.