Interior Designer School
How to Find the Right One Near Ozone Park New York

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Ozone Park NY, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you receive the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice it's crucial that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But just where do you start? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are key variables when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other important 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 options are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The principal distinction between them is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Ozone Park NY can specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Ozone Park NY interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training required to begin your new profession in Ozone Park NY. Your decision will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at many New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply 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 lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such 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. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Interior Design Online Courses

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Ozone Park NY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have busy 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 schools may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Ozone Park NY residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by 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 gone through an extensive assessment 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 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 offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Ozone Park NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Ozone Park NY college you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Ozone Park NY business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Ozone Park NY schools you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Ozone Park NY schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Ozone Park home, go to the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Ozone Park NY, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Ozone Park

Enroll in the Best Ozone Park Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. 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 programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Ozone Park New York.

 

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