Interior Designer Course
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Fond Du Lac Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Fond Du Lac WI now that you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. It's important that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's very important you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in 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 available.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The key difference between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Fond Du Lac WI can specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Fond Du Lac WI interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new profession in Fond Du Lac WI. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such 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. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Colleges

For students who to attend classes in the convenience of their Fond Du Lac WI homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just be sure 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 earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Fond Du Lac WI home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. 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 need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Fond Du Lac WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Fond Du Lac WI school you choose should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Fond Du Lac WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Fond Du Lac WI schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Fond Du Lac WI programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Fond Du Lac home, visit the school and sit in on 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Fond Du Lac WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Fond Du Lac

Enroll in the Right Fond Du Lac Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. 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 ideal final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin.

 

Fond Du Lac Interior Design Degrees | Fond Du Lac How To Become An Interior Designer