How to Find the Best Interior Designer Course

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Wilmington DE, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you perform the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But just where do you start? A number of potential students will kick off their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key factors when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing 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 available.

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

Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Wilmington DE can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Wilmington Delaware interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training required to start your new career in Wilmington DE. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous Delaware community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential 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 design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty 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 largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Wilmington DE residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Wilmington Delaware employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Wilmington DE program you enroll in should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Delaware or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a sizable network of Wilmington DE business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Wilmington DE colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they provide. A number of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately 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 one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Wilmington DE colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Wilmington home, go to the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program 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 attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Wilmington DE, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Right Interior Designer College near Wilmington Delaware

Picking the right interior designer college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are several things to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. However it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Wilmington Delaware.