Interior Designer College
How to Pick the Best One Near Bronx New York

So it’s time to begin the task of choosing an interior design school near Bronx NY now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital you do the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your final selection. But just how do you go about finding the right program? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, 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 Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The key distinction between them is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Bronx NY may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Bronx NY interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training required to launch your new profession in Bronx NY. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required 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 available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide 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 minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a 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 enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For those who wish to study in the comfort of their Bronx NY homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed 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 programs are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you select is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within driving distance from your Bronx NY residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. 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 securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Bronx NY 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 mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Bronx NY program you select should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs 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 school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Bronx NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Bronx NY colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Bronx NY colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bronx home, visit the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak 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, verify that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Bronx NY, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Bronx

Enroll in the Right Bronx Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are many factors 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 field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bronx New York.

 

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