Interior Designer Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Rock Springs Wyoming

So it’s time to begin the process of selecting an interior design school near Rock Springs WY once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's vital you do the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your final selection. But just where do you start? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important issues when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The key difference between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Rock Springs WY can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential 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 selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Rock Springs WY interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in Rock Springs WY. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation 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 required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Wyoming vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain 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 deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally 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 an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Courses

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Rock Springs WY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. 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 right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Rock Springs WY residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Rock Springs WY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become 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 requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Rock Springs WY program you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Wyoming or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Rock Springs WY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Rock Springs WY schools you are looking at and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Rock Springs WY programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Rock Springs home, visit the school and monitor a few classes. While there talk 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Rock Springs WY, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Rock Springs

Choose the Best Rock Springs Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior designer school is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of things to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Rock Springs Wyoming.

 

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