Self-test: Is the "Nail Designer (Certified)" course the right one for me now?
Take our self-test to find out whether a job as a nail designer meets your expectations and whether you are on the right path with a corresponding nail design training course leading to a "school certificate".
What does the day-to-day work of a nail designer look like?
Nail designers care for and beautify the fingernails and toenails of their customers.
With a new customer, they first assess the health of the nails and skin and ask about their needs and wishes. In a relaxed conversation, they then explain the possible treatments and discuss the advantages and disadvantages with the customer. For the actual treatment, they first set up the workplace by preparing the necessary equipment, instruments and materials. They then clean and disinfect the client's hands or feet, after which the actual treatment can begin.
They clean cuticles and nails and cut or file them into shape. They then polish the surfaces, repair nail damage and apply gel or nail polish. For artificial nail treatments, they glue on the nail extensions, shape them and create natural transitions. Finally, the artificial nails are polished and sealed.
If desired, massage the hands or feet, apply exfoliating cream and finish with oil and a moisturizing cream.
Many customers like to buy the right care products from their nail designer and receive appropriate advice.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a nail designer?
Great! To the next question in the self-test...
If you don't like all nail design activities, think in detail about what exactly you would and wouldn't like about them. Possibilities are, for example: you would like to work on hands, but prefer to work in a medical context rather than cosmetics. Or you like cosmetics and filing, but prefer not to work on your feet. Or you would rather talk to customers and advise them on fashion, trends, colors, etc. than work on them with your hands. If you find out for yourself what you would like better, take a look at the following course examples to see if any of them might suit you better:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities within the healthcare or cosmetics and beauty sector. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Haven't found your calling yet? OurGuide "Finding your own calling"can support you in your search.
Target group and skills: Who is the nail designer training course suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The nail design course with the school's own certificate is aimed at people who want to become self-employed in a cosmetic profession or who want to expand their existing skills to include the care and design of hand and toenails. For example:
- Beauticians
- People in the manicure/manicure department
- Hairdressers
- Re-entrants in the beauty and cosmetics sector
The following qualities are required for a successful job as a nail designer:
- Interest in cosmetics and beauty
- Craftsmanship, no fear of contact
- Good eyes
- Sense of hygiene, cleanliness and order
- Sensitivity and precision
- Enjoy interacting with people
- Service orientation
- Sufficient start-up capital to start your own business
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! Continue with the self-test.
- Are you already self-employed and have in-depth knowledge of nail cosmetics? Would you like to provide therapeutic treatment to people who have complaints? Then you probably belong to the target group for the following qualifications:
- Branch certificate OdA KT "Reflexology"
- Cosmetician in medical cosmetics with federal certificate (BP)
- Medical masseur / medical masseuse with federal certificate (BP)
- Complementary therapist with federal diploma (HFP)
- Study at a higher technical college to become a podiatrist HF
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this role. Look out for training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are suited to such a job, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Prerequisites for admission to nail design / nail design training:
As a rule, no specific previous training or professional experience is required for admission to the nail cosmetics courses leading to a "school certificate".
However, the following points are advantageous:
- Manual dexterity and good eyesight
- Good knowledge of German (at least B1/B2)
In addition, some schools require students to bring a model for individual days. This must be organized independently by the participants.
Opportunities for recognition:
As there are no protected professional designations or titles, it is important to prove your own seriousness and professional competence accordingly. This can be done, for example, by becoming a member of an association, such as Swissnaildesign.ch (the professional association). You can find out which criteria you need to fulfill for admissionhere.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! Now for the next question...
- If you are not sure whether your German language skills are sufficient, take thePlacement test. Are your German skills not good enough? Then attend a German course.Hereyou will find schools with suitable offers.
- Are you worried that you have "two left hands"? Then talk to the course instructor. He/she will be able to give you an initial assessment and give you good advice.
- Don't have a model available? Don't worry, if you don't have anyone in your circle of friends and acquaintances who could model for you, the school will certainly be able to help you.
- If you are not sure whether your German language skills are sufficient, take thePlacement test.Is your knowledge of German not good enough? Then attend a German course.Hereyou will find schools with suitable offers.
- Are you worried that you have "two left hands"? Then talk to the course instructor. He/she will be able to give you an initial assessment and give you good advice.
- Don't have a model available? Don't worry, if you don't have anyone in your circle of friends and acquaintances who could model for you, the school will certainly be able to help you.
Subject matter and content of the training
Nail design training is not federally regulated, which means that the curriculum is put together independently by the respective schools and can therefore vary from school to school.
The following topics are often addressed:
- Basics of anatomy and nail science
- Hygiene training, cleaning and sterilization
- Knowledge and recognition of nail diseases
- Device and product theory
- Various nail shapes (oval, round, etc.)
- Filing and milling techniques
- Liftings
- Working with gel, gel polish, acrylic and acrylic gel
- Art nails (glue, stones, glitter, French, etc.)
- Manicure
- Hand massage
- Customer advice, presentation, sales and marketing training
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the nail design training, find out about similar further training courses, such as these:
Obviously the typical subject areas of the nail course are not your thing. Take a look at other training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs for a nail design course are set independently by the schools. The amount of the tuition fee therefore varies greatly depending on the provider and offer.
You can expect the following costs for in-service training:
- Course fees:
- For shorter courses (e.g. specific topic courses, one-day workshops/seminars etc.) between CHF 350 and CHF 1300.
- For longer courses (e.g. nail design course for beginners) between CHF 2700.- and CHF 3500.-
As a rule, theExamination feesalready included in the course fees.
- Some providers requireExtra costsfor
- Teaching aids
- Training documents
- Provision of models and devices
Please contact the provider of your choice directly for information on possible extra costs.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay for the course?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
- You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort
- Study structureNail design / nail design training is generally designed to be part-time and has a modular structure.
- Duration of studyThe duration of the courses varies greatly and depends on the provider and the offer. For example, there are one-day workshops/seminars and in-depth courses on specific topics that last a few days (between 1 and 4 days). Basic training takes longer: usually around 12 days, spread over several weeks.
- Training optionsThe timetables are compiled independently by the schools. They therefore vary from school to school. The courses often take place either on one working day per week or on Saturdays.
- Teaching formatThe nail course always takes place in face-to-face lessons. Depending on the situation, theory lessons can be offered in online lessons or hybrid lessons.
- Learning effortThanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the training over a longer period of time.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
As already mentioned, most nail design courses have a modular structure. Those who have successfully completed each module can take the final examination for the school's own certificate.
As a rule, the final examination consists of a theoretical and a practical part. A nail cosmetic treatment must be carried out in the practical part.
For shorter courses in particular, a course attendance of at least 80% is often sufficient to obtain the school's own certificate.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates receive a certificate / diploma from the respective school: "Nail Designer [name of school] (cert.)" or "Certified Nail Designer [name of school]".
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the nail course?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, nail design training doesn't suit you. What a pity? - Maybe not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Nail design training is probably not the right training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
That's a half-hearted result: the nail course doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't suit you or doesn't fit well in terms of organization?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The nail design course is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the information events organized by the providers. There you can find out more about further education and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
Great, this training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Ingenious! This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin