Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Oak Creek Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near Oak Creek WI once 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 spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice it's very important that you perform the proper research. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program? Many future students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital 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 alternatives are offered.

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

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The principal difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Oak Creek WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers frequently focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Oak Creek WI interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their final designs.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training necessary to start your new career in Oak Creek WI. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have 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 required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum 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 provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

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 field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For those who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Oak Creek WI homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Oak Creek 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 options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Oak Creek WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready 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) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Oak Creek WI school you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask 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 profession and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a significant network of Oak Creek WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Oak Creek WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of support they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oak Creek WI programs you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Oak Creek home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Oak Creek WI, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Oak Creek

Enroll in the Best Oak Creek Interior Design College

Picking the right interior design program is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are several points to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oak Creek Wisconsin.

 

Oak Creek Interior Design Courses Online | Oak Creek Interior Design Degrees Online