Interior Designer College
How to Pick the Best One Near West Allis Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near West Allis WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you get the proper training to put your talents to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's essential you carry out the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right school? When checking out interior design programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are key issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The key difference between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated 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 West Allis WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on public or commercial areas, designers frequently focus primarily 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 emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, West Allis WI interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new career in West Allis WI. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives 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 select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

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

Interior Design Online Colleges

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their West Allis WI homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 online or distance education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your West Allis WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining 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 recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many West Allis WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become 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 school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the West Allis WI program you select should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of West Allis WI business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the West Allis WI schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the West Allis WI schools you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your West Allis home, visit the college 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 styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near West Allis WI, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in West Allis

Enroll in the Best West Allis Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior designer program is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are several factors to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in West Allis Wisconsin.

 

West Allis How To Become An Interior Designer | West Allis Interior Design Classes Online