Interior Designer Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Vestavia Hills Alabama

So it’s time to start the process of picking an interior design school near Vestavia Hills AL once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you receive the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each program you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice it's vital that you do the appropriate due diligence. But where do you begin? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are key variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. 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 class choices are offered.

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

Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The primary difference between the two is the level of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous 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 spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Vestavia Hills AL may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Vestavia Hills AL interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to start your new career in Vestavia Hills AL. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt 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) exam required in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Alabama trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually 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 technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized 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 desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Degree Programs

For individuals who wish to study in the convenience of their Vestavia Hills AL homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a good alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the school you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Vestavia Hills AL residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns 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 ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone 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 college and the quality of the training 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 Vestavia Hills AL employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Vestavia Hills AL program you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Alabama or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Vestavia Hills AL business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Vestavia Hills AL colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior design schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Vestavia Hills AL colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Vestavia Hills home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Vestavia Hills AL, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Vestavia Hills

Choose the Right Vestavia Hills Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior designer school is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Vestavia Hills Alabama.

 

Vestavia Hills Interior Design Colleges | Vestavia Hills Interior Design Classes