How to Pick the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near New Britain CT, 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 essential that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you do the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But just where do you start? Many future students will start their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between them is the level of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many 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 functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in New Britain CT may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers frequently concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality 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 focus more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, New Britain Connecticut interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree options available in interior design to obtain the training needed to launch your new career in New Britain CT. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Connecticut trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth 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 college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

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

Online Interior Design Degree Programs

For anyone wishing to study in the convenience of their New Britain CT homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the only option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you select is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your New Britain CT residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of New Britain Connecticut employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the New Britain CT school you select should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Connecticut or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of New Britain CT business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the New Britain CT schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? 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 New Britain CT programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your New Britain home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near New Britain CT, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near New Britain Connecticut

Choosing the ideal interior design school is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still essential that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in New Britain Connecticut.