Interior Designer Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Janesville Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the process of choosing an interior design school near Janesville WI now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's crucial you do the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate decision. But where do you start? Some potential students will start their research by looking for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. 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. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The key distinction between them is the amount 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. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On many occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Janesville WI can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers frequently focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality 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 banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

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

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new profession in Janesville WI. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Janesville WI homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are employed or have busy 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 colleges may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you pick 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 distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Janesville WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Janesville WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the Janesville WI school you enroll in should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first job. 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 a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Janesville WI business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Janesville WI colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Janesville WI schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Janesville home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design program you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Janesville WI, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Janesville

Choose the Best Janesville Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. 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 endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are many things to think about before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Janesville Wisconsin.

 

Janesville Interior Design Schools | Janesville Interior Design Programs