Interior Designer School
How to Select the Right One Near Manitowoc Wisconsin

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Manitowoc WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. It's imperative 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 interior designers are licensed in several states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you carry out the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision. But just how do you go about finding the right school? A number of potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The main distinction between them is the level of education required. Any person can do business 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 many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Manitowoc WI can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers often focus predominantly 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 emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Manitowoc WI interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training required to start your new career in Manitowoc WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Degree Programs

For those who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Manitowoc WI homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the only option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school 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 receive 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 school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Manitowoc WI residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. 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 assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Manitowoc WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require 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, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Manitowoc WI program you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at 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 college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of Manitowoc WI business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Manitowoc WI schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Manitowoc WI schools you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Manitowoc home, visit the college and sit in on 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? Last, make sure that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Manitowoc 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 work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Manitowoc

Choose the Right Manitowoc Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several points to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still imperative 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 evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Manitowoc Wisconsin.

 

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