Interior Designer College
How to Find the Best One Near Princeton Alabama

So it’s time to begin the task of selecting an interior design school near Princeton AL once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each school you are looking at before you make your final decision it's crucial that you perform the proper due diligence. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues 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 class alternatives are offered.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary difference between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Princeton AL may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

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

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Princeton AL. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at a number of Alabama vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Classes

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Princeton AL homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Princeton AL home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field 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 instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college 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 might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Princeton AL employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Princeton AL school you select should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Alabama or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Princeton AL business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Princeton AL colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Princeton AL programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Princeton home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer school you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Princeton AL, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Princeton

Enroll in the Best Princeton Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior designer program is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of factors to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Princeton Alabama.

 

Princeton Interior Design Classes | Princeton Interior Design Courses Online