Interior Designer School
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Mount Pleasant Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Mount Pleasant WI once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's vital you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When looking for interior design programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 available.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The principal difference between them is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Mount Pleasant WI may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to 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 concepts, Mount Pleasant WI interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new career in Mount Pleasant WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at many Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order 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 required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Schools

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Mount Pleasant WI homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Studying online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the only option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the school you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, 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 education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Mount Pleasant WI residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training 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 Mount Pleasant WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Mount Pleasant WI college you choose should also furnish the appropriate training 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 attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a sizable network of Mount Pleasant WI business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Mount Pleasant WI colleges you are looking at and ask what type of support they offer. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Mount Pleasant WI schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Mount Pleasant home, visit the campus and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with a few 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? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Mount Pleasant WI, make sure 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 because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Mount Pleasant

Enroll in the Right Mount Pleasant Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many things to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Mount Pleasant Wisconsin.

 

Mount Pleasant Interior Design Colleges | Mount Pleasant Interior Design Classes