Interior Designer School
How to Choose the Best One Near Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of picking an interior design school near Pleasant Prairie WI once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each school you are reviewing before you make your final decision it's essential that you do the proper due diligence. But where do you begin? Some future students will start their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing 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 reviewing 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 and Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The primary difference between them is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Pleasant Prairie WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For instance, 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 many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui concepts, Pleasant Prairie WI interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Pleasant Prairie WI. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Pleasant Prairie WI homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer 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. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the program you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, 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 discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the right alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After 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 an important issue, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Pleasant Prairie WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the most affordable 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 look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded 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 teachers and programs. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Pleasant Prairie WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Pleasant Prairie WI school you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Pleasant Prairie WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Pleasant Prairie WI schools you are looking at and find out what type of aid they provide. A number of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Pleasant Prairie WI schools you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Pleasant Prairie home, visit the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Pleasant Prairie WI, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Pleasant Prairie

Enroll in the Best Pleasant Prairie Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer program is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin.

 

Pleasant Prairie How To Become An Interior Designer | Pleasant Prairie Interior Design Classes Online