Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Waukesha Wisconsin

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Waukesha WI, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you get the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital you do the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover 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 options are available.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The key distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of 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 attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Waukesha WI can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Waukesha WI interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final designs.

Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training necessary to begin your new profession in Waukesha WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose 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) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are offered at many Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative 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 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who want 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 adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Classes

For those who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Waukesha WI homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also acquire 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 setting, then an online interior design program may be the right alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Waukesha WI home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer program and college 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. 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 college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Waukesha WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get 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 school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Waukesha WI college you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing 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 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 sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of Waukesha WI business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Waukesha WI schools you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they provide. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Waukesha WI programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Waukesha home, go to the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer program you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Waukesha WI, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Waukesha

Choose the Best Waukesha Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Waukesha Wisconsin.

 

Waukesha Interior Design Courses | Waukesha Interior Design Degrees