How to Choose the Best Interior Designer Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Beloit WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you get the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's essential that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? A number of prospective students will kick off their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important variables when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The key distinction between them is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Beloit WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. 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 can specialize in designing one specific room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers normally concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Beloit Wisconsin interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training required to start your new profession in Beloit WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at many Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin 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 Beloit WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the most affordable school 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 look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Beloit Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from providing an exceptional education, the Beloit WI college you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of Beloit WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Beloit WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Beloit WI programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Beloit home, go to the college and sit in on a few classes. While there speak 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 Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Beloit WI, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check 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 Right Interior Design College near Beloit Wisconsin

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still essential 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 evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Beloit Wisconsin.