Interior Designer Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Cary North Carolina

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Cary NC, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection it's vital that you perform the appropriate research. But just where do you start? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are relevant factors when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The principal distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires 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 work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Cary NC may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers frequently 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 might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Cary NC interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new profession in Cary NC. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous North Carolina vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Classes

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Cary NC homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Cary NC home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 training are exceptional, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Cary NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require 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 program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Cary NC program you select should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Cary NC business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Cary NC colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Cary NC colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Cary home, visit the college and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Cary NC, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option 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 Cary

Choose the Best Cary Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several points to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. It is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Cary North Carolina.

 

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