Interior Designer College
How to Choose the Right One Near Bayside New York

So it’s time to begin the process of selecting an interior design school near Bayside NY now that you have made a career decision to become 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 commercial or residential interiors. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's very important you carry out the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are considering before you make your final selection. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are key factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The key distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of 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 various projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Bayside NY may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers often 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 banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Bayside NY interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to start your new career in Bayside NY. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are offered at numerous New York 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 creative and technical facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. 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 university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Classes

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Bayside NY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also acquire 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 structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Bayside NY home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. 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 undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Bayside NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Bayside NY college you select should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. 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 higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Bayside NY business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Bayside NY colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Bayside NY colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Bayside home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk 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, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bayside NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Bayside

Choose the Right Bayside Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior design college is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Finding a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are many factors to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bayside New York.

 

Bayside Interior Design Degrees | Bayside How To Become An Interior Designer