Interior Designer Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Laramie Wyoming

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Laramie WY now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each college you are looking at prior to making your final choice it's crucial that you do the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you go about finding the right school? A number of potential students will launch their research by looking for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important factors when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. 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 training alternatives are available.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The main distinction between them is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Laramie WY can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers normally concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality 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 banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Laramie WY interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to begin your new career in Laramie WY. Your choice will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations 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 roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at a number of Wyoming 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 deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects 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 achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs 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.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Classes

For students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Laramie WY homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program you enroll in is accredited by a respected 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 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 school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Laramie WY residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Laramie WY employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Laramie WY college you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Wyoming or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of Laramie WY business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Laramie WY schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Laramie WY colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Laramie home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Laramie WY, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Laramie

Choose the Best Laramie Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are many points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Laramie Wyoming.

 

Laramie How To Become An Interior Designer | Laramie Interior Design Classes Online