Interior Designer School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Fond Du Lac Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of choosing an interior design school near Fond Du Lac WI once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So in order to assess and compare each program you are reviewing prior to making your final decision it's essential that you do the appropriate research. But just where do you start? When checking out interior design programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While location and cost are relevant factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be considered 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 before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The main difference between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Fond Du Lac WI may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Fond Du Lac WI interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training required to start your new profession in Fond Du Lac WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated 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 decide 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) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets 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 two year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized 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. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Schools

For students who to attend classes in the convenience of their Fond Du Lac WI homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a great option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the program you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Fond Du Lac WI residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. 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 requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Fond Du Lac WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Fond Du Lac WI school you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of Fond Du Lac WI business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Fond Du Lac WI schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Fond Du Lac WI schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Fond Du Lac home, go to the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fond Du Lac WI, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Fond Du Lac

Enroll in the Best Fond Du Lac Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer college is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are a number of points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin.

 

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