Interior Designer Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Springfield Gardens New York

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Springfield Gardens NY once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's crucial you do the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate selection. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school? A number of prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key issues when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The main distinction between them is the amount of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Springfield Gardens 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, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers frequently focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Springfield Gardens NY interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new profession in Springfield Gardens NY. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at many New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential 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 offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Springfield Gardens NY homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the only option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you pick is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college has to be within driving distance from your Springfield Gardens NY home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer program and college that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Springfield Gardens NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Springfield Gardens NY college you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, 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 may also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Springfield Gardens NY business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Springfield Gardens NY colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Springfield Gardens NY programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Springfield Gardens home, go to the school and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few 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 Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Springfield Gardens NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Springfield Gardens

Enroll in the Best Springfield Gardens Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior designer program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Springfield Gardens New York.

 

Springfield Gardens Interior Design Classes Online | Springfield Gardens Interior Design Colleges