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

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Pomfret NY now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's imperative 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 interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you do the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your final decision. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? Many potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The principal difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Pomfret NY can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Pomfret NY interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to launch your new career in Pomfret NY. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below 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 profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are offered at many New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance 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 usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Pomfret NY homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Attending classes online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Pomfret NY home. Naturally 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 limit your options as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should look at 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 obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Pomfret NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate 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 mandating licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Pomfret NY college you choose should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Pomfret NY business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Pomfret NY colleges you are looking at and ask what type of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Pomfret NY schools you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Pomfret home, visit the campus and monitor a few classes. While there speak with some 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, make certain that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Pomfret NY, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Pomfret

Choose the Right Pomfret Interior Design College

Choosing the right interior design program is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many points to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Pomfret New York.

 

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