How to Choose the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Racine WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you get the proper training to put your talents to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's essential that you perform the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Some future students will begin their research by searching for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask 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 offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Racine WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers normally focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus 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. They must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Racine Wisconsin interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Racine WI. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Classes

For anyone wishing to attend classes in the comfort of their Racine WI homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the right alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school has to be within driving distance from your Racine WI home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Racine Wisconsin employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require 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 some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Racine WI program you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of Racine WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Racine WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Racine WI schools you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Racine home, visit the campus and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Racine WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Best Interior Design Program near Racine Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal interior design college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. But it is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Racine Wisconsin.