How to Pick the Best Interior Designer School

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near West Allis WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you get the right training to put your natural abilities 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 very important that you do the proper research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are reviewing before you make your final choice. But just where do you begin? Some future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important factors when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The primary distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires 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 taught to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in West Allis WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers normally concentrate 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 stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, West Allis Wisconsin interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training necessary to begin your new profession in West Allis WI. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate 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 exam.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your West Allis WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. 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 education are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many West Allis Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the West Allis WI college you enroll in should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a substantial network of West Allis WI business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the West Allis WI schools you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the West Allis WI programs you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your West Allis home, go to the college and sit in on a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West Allis WI, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Program near West Allis Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several things to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. But it is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in West Allis Wisconsin.