How to Choose the Best Interior Design College

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Racine WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you get the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's crucial that you perform the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are looking at prior to making your final selection. But exactly where do you start? Many potential students will launch their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important issues when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account as well. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask 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 class choices are available.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can work 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 requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Racine WI can specialize in:

• Residential Design. 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 may specialize in designing one specific room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on public or commercial areas, designers normally concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the main concern.

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

Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new career in Racine WI. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. 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 technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Racine WI residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Racine Wisconsin employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Racine WI college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training 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 Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of Racine WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Racine WI schools you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer 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. Ask the Racine WI colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Racine home, visit the campus and attend a couple of 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Racine WI, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Designer College near Racine Wisconsin

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. However it is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Racine Wisconsin.