Interior Designer Course
How to Select the Right One Near West Bend Wisconsin

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near West Bend WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you get the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's crucial you perform the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary difference between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in West Bend WI may 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 can specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, West Bend WI interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new profession in West Bend WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically 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 deal with the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt 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 take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Classes

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their West Bend WI homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower 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 select is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your West Bend WI home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. 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 demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many West Bend WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the West Bend WI program you select should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance 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 sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a significant network of West Bend WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the West Bend WI colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the West Bend WI schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your West Bend home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West Bend WI, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in West Bend

Choose the Right West Bend Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many things to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in West Bend Wisconsin.

 

West Bend Interior Design Degrees | West Bend How To Become An Interior Designer