Are there some good colleges in Nashville or surrounding areas? (Franklin: credit, work)

[Autumn07]

Hi,

I was just wondering can anyone tell me if there are some good colleges in Nashville or surrounding areas that aren't known as party schools to get a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design?

Thank you.

[alleycat]

I'm not sure what's offer at the larger state or private universities in the area, but O'More School of Design in Franklin has a pretty good reputation (I'm not sure whether they actually give out a bachelor's degree or not). There is also Walkins (it used to be called Watkins Institute, it might be called Watkins Institute of Design now . . . I'm not sure).

My best friend is a partner in one of the largest architectural firms in town. They employ a number of interior designers. If I can remember, I'll ask her this weekend if she has any recommendations.

I know what I'd suggest if you were my daughter and wanting to pursue a career like this. I'd suggest she get her bachelor's degree at the best school she can, and her designer training as an "add on" either while she was going to a four-year college, or immediately afterwards. Or, go to some place like UT which has a degree in interior design (I think).

One question: Do you want to work for an architectural firm, or a interior design firm, or work for a store that employs interior designers?

[IngleDave]

This should give you some starting points:

O'More College of Design

The Art Institute of Tennessee — Nashville

Watkins College of Art & Design: Interior Design Department

MTSU Department of Human Sciences

[Autumn07]

Hi alleycat,

Thank you for your reponse.
That would be great if you could ask your friend about recommendations for schools for an Interior Design Degree, thanks.
I think I would prefer to work for an Architectural firm or an Interior Design firm. I have a great interest in re-modeling the interiors of homes, or doing the interiors of model homes.

Originally Posted by alleycat

I'm not sure what's offer at the larger state or private universities in the area, but O'More School of Design in Franklin has a pretty good reputation (I'm not sure whether they actually give out a bachelor's degree or not). There is also Walkins (it used to be called Watkins Institute, it might be called Watkins Institute of Design now . . . I'm not sure).

My best friend is a partner in one of the largest architectural firms in town. They employ a number of interior designers. If I can remember, I'll ask her this weekend if she has any recommendations.

I know what I'd suggest if you were my daughter and wanting to pursue a career like this. I'd suggest she get her bachelor's degree at the best school she can, and her designer training as an "add on" either while she was going to a four-year college, or immediately afterwards. Or, go to some place like UT which has a degree in interior design (I think).

One question: Do you want to work for an architectural firm, or a interior design firm, or work for a store that employs interior designers?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Autumn07

Hi alleycat,

Thank you for your reponse.
That would be great if you could ask your friend about recommendations for schools for an Interior Design Degree, thanks.
I think I would prefer to work for an Architectural firm or an Interior Design firm. I have a great interest in re-modeling the interiors of homes, or doing the interiors of model homes.

You'd want to work for an interior design firm then. Architectural firms rarely do houses anymore.

[IngleDave]

Am I invisible?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by IngleDave

Am I invisible?

Who said that?

;-)

[Autumn07]

Hi IngleDave,

Sorry, I had posted a reply thank you to you after I posted a reply to alleycat, I didn't know that it hadn't gone through So, Thank you for your reply it was very helpful.

Originally Posted by IngleDave

Am I invisible?

[IngleDave]

You're welcome Autumn. AC, too funny.

I discovered the Art Institutue (fairly new to town) and the fact that MTSU offered those degrees by accident. I have a dear friend who served as a dean at O'More for years. If I had a choice and the cash and Interior Design was my thing, I'd sure check into that one. The setting is unbelieveable and the accreditation is quite valuable. Good luck out there Autumn. I bet there are others we haven't found yet.

In a place like Nashville and its current growth in residential and business (as well as many other places), I'm guessing this would be an occupation in very high demand.

I expect to see you with your own show on HGTV someday.

[alleycat]

Be careful before signing up at Art Institute. Those schools are all over the country and from what I hear are fairly expensive. I'm not sure how their programs are valued in the marketplace.

O'More is expensive too, I believe, but it has a fine reputation.