Interior Designer School
How to Select the Right One Near Whitewater Wisconsin

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Whitewater WI, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each college you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision it's essential that you do the appropriate research. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are key variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's cover 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

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The principal distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Whitewater WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers normally concentrate primarily 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 focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Whitewater WI interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final creations.

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training required to begin your new career in Whitewater WI. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide 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) exam mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly 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 cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options 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. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Courses

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Whitewater WI homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the program you enroll in 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 distance or online education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the ideal alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Whitewater WI residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Whitewater WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Whitewater WI school you select should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill 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 support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at 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 trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Whitewater WI business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Whitewater WI colleges you are looking at and ask what type of support they provide. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Whitewater WI schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Whitewater home, go to the school and attend a few classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Whitewater WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Whitewater

Choose the Best Whitewater Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior design program is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are many factors to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence analysis. 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 excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Whitewater Wisconsin.

 

Whitewater Interior Design Schools | Whitewater Interior Design Programs