Interior Design Schools Tips
Read these 14 Interior Design Schools Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Interior Design Degree tips and hundreds of other topics.
School of Interior Design Rankings
A recent 2005 survey by Design Intelligence lists school of interior design rankings. The rankings consider the quality of the programs in preparing a student to practice professionally as well as the professional success rate of graduates practicing interior design. Here is a list of the top 10 school of interior design rankings:
1. University of Cincinnati
2. Pratt Institute
3. Kansas State University
4. Cornell University
5. Arizona State University
6. University of Oregon
7. Auburn University
8. University of Texas at Austin
9. Washington State University
10. California College of the Arts tied with University of Florida
Finding the Best Interior Design Schools
Trying to find the best interior design schools to send your applications to? A lot of factors make up the quality of an interior design program, but if you are interested in looking at interior design rankings, Design Intelligence Magazine, a monthly publication put forth by the Design Futures Council, has an annual list of top schools in the areas of architecture and interior design available to subscribing members. Design Intelligence also publishes America's Best Architecture & Design Schools, an in-depth look at top architecture schools and the best interior design schools as well as related design programs. Included in this book are interior design rankings and awards.
Getting the Most Out of Your Interior Design Education
An interior design education is your gateway into a promising career. In order to maximize the resources available to you while you are in school, get involved as much as you can.
• Be proactive and approach your faculty for advice on career guidance as well as feedback on your projects.
• Actively seek internships and ways to get real world experience while getting your interior design education.
• Make use of student competitions to push your design skills and become involved in the community.
• Join professional student organizations to start networking and gaining valuable educational and career resources.
Getting a Graduate Interior Design Education
For some, higher education is just another stepping stone in one's career path. For those seeking a specific program of study, a graduate interior design degree may be the perfect solution. A graduate interior design degree will be suitable for those seeking an interior design education in a number of situations. Perhaps, you have a degree in a different field and would like to make the change to interior design. Rather than seeking a certificate or another bachelor degree, you decide to get your master's degree in interior design instead. Or perhaps, you hope to use an advanced interior design education to explore a specialized field of interior design such as lighting design or sustainable design. Another reason one might get a graduate interior design degree is to pursue the teaching profession – an area that seeks instructors with advanced degrees. Whenever seeking an advanced degree in any field, always weigh the pros of the educational experience and credentials you receive against the ultimate time and expense it takes you to complete a program.
Getting Information on an Interior Design Program
So you want to learn more about the interior design program of a college? The best place to start is by browsing the Web page for the interior design department. You'll be able to find information about the interior design program such as curriculum, class descriptions, faculty credentials, and the requirements for the application process. The next step would be to contact the interior design department or admissions office for a copy of their brochure information and application packet for review. If you need additional information, seek out the contact person such as the interior design advisor or admissions counselor from the interior design program you are interested in.
Factors That Go Into Ranking an Interior Design Program
Currently, there is only one widely known source which ranks an interior design program. Design Intelligence, an architecture and interior design professional publication, puts out an annual list of top programs. Design Intelligence compiles its list based on a survey sent to hundreds of design firms and organizations, asking which schools best prepare an interior design graduate for professional practice. In addition, Design Intelligence looks at the continued performance and success of an interior design graduate as well to determine its interior design program rankings.
Getting the Most Out of Your Interior Design Education
An interior design education is your gateway into a promising career. In order to maximize the resources available to you while you are in school, get involved as much as you can.
• Be proactive and approach your faculty for advice on career guidance as well as feedback on your projects.
• Actively seek internships and ways to get real world experience while getting your interior design education.
• Make use of student competitions to push your design skills and become involved in the community.
• Join professional student organizations to start networking and gaining valuable educational and career resources.
The Difference Between Interior Design Colleges and Public Schools
There are hundreds of interior design programs available for a student to choose from. If you are debating between private interior design colleges or attending a public school with an interior design department, weighing the differences between the two will help you make your decision.
• Cost – Attending private interior design colleges will tend to cost you much more than attending a public school program with an interior design department.
• Reputation – The reputation of private interior design colleges and public interior design programs vary. You have to look at the individual program of each school and decide whether the faculty, program, and school culture matches your needs.
• Curriculum – A public interior design program tends to have a more well rounded curriculum with a choice of coursework in the humanities, sciences, history, and other topics. You'll be able to choose from a broader selection of general education.
A private interior design college tends to be more focused on the program of interior design itself. Both options will give you an excellent education, depending on what your personal tastes and goals are.
Applying to the Top Interior Design Schools
If you want to apply to the top interior design schools, you need to be thorough and do your research well ahead of the application process. Follow these guidelines to help you get through the interior design application process.
• Get information on the interior design application process early. Most of the top interior design programs require you meet a certain level of coursework in order to apply to their programs.
• Make a checklist of all the items you need to apply and get them in order, such as a portfolio, SAT scores, and letters of recommendation.
• Join in extracurricular activities, especially ones that foster a well rounded background or emphasize your interest in the interior design field.
• Turn your interior design application in early. Always check with the requirements of the interior design program you are applying for, but many of the top interior design schools give priority to applications received near the beginning of their decision making process.
What You Need For The Interior Design Application Process
The materials you need for the interior design application process varies depending on which school you apply to and the competitiveness of the program. However, in general, expect interior design schools to evaluate your grades, application and essay, resume, and a portfolio review. Some schools weigh some components of the interior design application process more heavily than others. Most interior design schools expect to conduct a portfolio review, but there are some that do not.
Get Up Close and Personal When Selecting an Interior Design School
Before you make a final decision on any interior design school, make sure you make arrangements to get a first hand look at your schools of choice. Always contact the interior design school you are interested in to make arrangements for a guided tour. You'll be able to get valuable inside information on the program, classes, and interior design faculty as well as a first hand look at the campus. That way, you can make the most informed decision on whether a program is right for you. Want to go one step further? Make an appointment to speak to an interior design faculty member or student ambassador if you can. A person who lives and breathes the daily routine of an interior design program can give you the best insight.
Inside a Top Interior Design Program
The most competitive and highly ranked interior design programs have a vigorous program of study. You can expect to attend a four year or even five year program packed with coursework in studio design, history of design, building construction and technology, professional career practices, as well as computer drafting. The top interior design programs are often intensive, requiring many hours logged in the studio working on projects late into the night. You'll have little time for outside social activities and leisure time, but you'll receive the benefit of an education to prepare you for a competitive professional career field.
Getting the Most Out of Your Interior Design Education
An interior design education is your gateway into a promising career. In order to maximize the resources available to you while you are in school, get involved as much as you can.
• Be proactive and approach your faculty for advice on career guidance as well as feedback on your projects.
• Actively seek internships and ways to get real world experience while getting your interior design education.
• Make use of student competitions to push your design skills and become involved in the community.
• Join professional student organizations to start networking and gaining valuable educational and career resources.
Getting the Most Out of Your Interior Design Education
An interior design education is your gateway into a promising career. In order to maximize the resources available to you while you are in school, get involved as much as you can.
• Be proactive and approach your faculty for advice on career guidance as well as feedback on your projects.
• Actively seek internships and ways to get real world experience while getting your interior design education.
• Make use of student competitions to push your design skills and become involved in the community.
• Join professional student organizations to start networking and gaining valuable educational and career resources.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Mary White |
