How to Pick the Best Interior Design College

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Waukesha WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential that you carry out the proper research in order to assess and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your final choice. But just where do you start? Many future students will kick off their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation 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 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 class options are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main distinction between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Waukesha WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

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

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Waukesha WI. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the business required 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 two year programs supply advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ 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 sit for the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Waukesha WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design college and program that you enroll in 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 gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Waukesha Wisconsin employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Waukesha WI school you choose should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing 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 held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Waukesha WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Waukesha WI colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often 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 intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Waukesha WI programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Waukesha home, go to 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 approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Waukesha WI, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design College near Waukesha Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. However it is still essential that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Waukesha Wisconsin.