Interior Designer Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Mequon Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the process of choosing an interior design school near Mequon WI once you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to evaluate and compare each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice it's very important that you carry out the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you go about finding the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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

Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The key distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic 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 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 work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Mequon WI can specialize in:

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

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

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training needed to start your new profession in Mequon WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted 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 mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at many Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

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

Interior Designer Online Schools

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Mequon WI homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are employed or have busy 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 some students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the school you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. 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 ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Mequon WI home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. 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 education are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Mequon WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Mequon WI college you choose should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Mequon WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Mequon WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small 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 Mequon WI schools you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Mequon home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Mequon WI, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Mequon

Enroll in the Right Mequon Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior design college is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are a number of points to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Mequon Wisconsin.

 

Mequon Interior Design Courses | Mequon Interior Design Degrees