How to Find the Right Interior Design College

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Racine WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital that you perform the proper research in order to assess and compare each college that you are considering before you make your final decision. But where do you start? Many prospective students will launch their research by searching for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important variables when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account as well. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Racine WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often 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, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers normally concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Racine Wisconsin interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new career in Racine WI. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the business needed 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 two year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Racine WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer program and college that you choose 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 gone through a demanding assessment of their teachers 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Racine Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prep 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) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Racine WI school you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Racine WI business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Racine WI schools you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Racine WI programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Racine home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Racine WI, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design Program near Racine Wisconsin

Selecting the right interior designer college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are many things to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Racine Wisconsin.