How to Pick the Right Interior Design Course

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Eau Claire WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you get the right training to put your talents 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 exam as well. So it's crucial that you perform the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your ultimate choice. But just where do you start? Some future students will start their research by searching for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at 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 choices are available.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The key difference between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Eau Claire WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers often concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas 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 several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Eau Claire Wisconsin interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new career in Eau Claire WI. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short 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 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment 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 technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree 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 mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

When you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Eau Claire WI residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Eau Claire Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Eau Claire WI college you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin 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 position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a sizable network of Eau Claire WI business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Eau Claire WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they provide. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Eau Claire WI programs you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Eau Claire home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Eau Claire Wisconsin

Selecting the right interior designer school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. But it is still important that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Eau Claire Wisconsin.