Interior Designer Degree
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Douglaston New York

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Douglaston NY once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are considering before you make your final selection. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? Some prospective students will begin their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key factors when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The main difference between them is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, working as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On many occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Douglaston NY may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers normally focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They 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 incorporating Feng shui concepts, Douglaston 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 required to launch your new career in Douglaston NY. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at a number of New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Courses

For those who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Douglaston NY homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Studying online can be a good 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 a number of students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools 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 commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program 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 obtain 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 confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Douglaston NY home. Of course 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 expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Douglaston NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Douglaston NY program you enroll in should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask 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 students are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a substantial network of Douglaston NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Douglaston NY schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Douglaston NY programs you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Douglaston home, go to the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Douglaston NY, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Douglaston

Enroll in the Right Douglaston Interior Design College

Picking the right interior designer school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. 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 effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Douglaston New York.

 

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