How to Choose the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Eau Claire WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you receive the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital that you carry out the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each program that you are looking at prior to making your final selection. But where do you begin? A number of potential students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The main distinction between them is the level of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Eau Claire WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

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

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new career in Eau Claire WI. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally 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 components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum 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 furnish advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely 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 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt 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 professional experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Eau Claire WI homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Attending classes online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Eau Claire WI home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering 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 essential to make sure that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Eau Claire Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an excellent education, the Eau Claire WI school you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a substantial network of Eau Claire WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Eau Claire WI schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Eau Claire WI colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Eau Claire home, go to the school and attend a few classes. While there speak 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Designer Program near Eau Claire Wisconsin

Selecting the right interior designer program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are several points to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. However it is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Eau Claire Wisconsin.