Interior Designer College
How to Find the Best One Near Brookfield Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Brookfield WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. It's imperative that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. 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 it's vital you perform the proper research in order to assess and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are relevant variables when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary difference between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of 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 functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Brookfield WI may specialize in:

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

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

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to start your new career in Brookfield WI. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options 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 their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Degree Programs

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their Brookfield WI homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you enroll in is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school has to be within driving distance from your Brookfield WI home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Brookfield WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Brookfield WI school you select should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Brookfield WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Brookfield WI schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Brookfield WI programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Brookfield home, go to the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Brookfield WI, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Brookfield

Choose the Best Brookfield Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior designer school is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many points to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Brookfield Wisconsin.

 

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