How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Waukesha 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 spaces, it's essential that you receive the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you perform the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate decision. But just where do you begin? A number of potential students will start their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important factors when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. We will address 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 talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Waukesha WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public areas, designers often concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Waukesha Wisconsin interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Waukesha WI. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at many Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position 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 options in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Why Do You Want to Be an Interior Designer?

There are many options available to you once you graduate and enter the field of interior design.  If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit you may become self-employed and open your own interior design shop. You might also work for a small or larger design firm. Designers have careers creating interiors for businesses, hospitals, government buildings, as well as private residences. Rarely is a design career a 9 to 5 job. You’ll need to be flexible, patient, and persistent to get your career off the ground. But you will have the opportunity to earn an attractive income as well as the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful living and working spaces.

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college must be within driving distance from your Waukesha WI home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Waukesha Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Waukesha WI college you select should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet 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 received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Waukesha WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

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

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Waukesha WI colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Waukesha home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Waukesha WI, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Program near Waukesha Wisconsin

Choosing the right interior design college is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are many points to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. But it is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Waukesha Wisconsin.