Interior Designer Course
How to Find the Right One Near Bay Shore New York

So it’s time to start the task of selecting an interior design school near Bay Shore NY once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So in order to evaluate and compare each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice it's vital that you carry out the proper research. But just where do you start? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are key variables when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. We will cover those issues and other important 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 options are offered.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The key distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Bay Shore NY can specialize in:

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

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Bay Shore NY interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new profession in Bay Shore NY. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for 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 offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business needed 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 two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Schools

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the convenience of their Bay Shore NY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the school you choose is accredited by a highly regarded 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 learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Bay Shore NY home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Bay Shore NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Bay Shore NY school you select should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Bay Shore NY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Bay Shore NY schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Bay Shore NY programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bay Shore home, visit the school and attend a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask 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? Last, make sure that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bay Shore NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Bay Shore

Enroll in the Right Bay Shore Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer school is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are many factors to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bay Shore New York.

 

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