Master of Arts in
Interior Design
Course length
12 or 16 months
Start
January
Language
English
Where
Milan
Master of Arts in Interior Design with Advanced Practice
The architecture of inhabited space
The Master of Arts in Interior Design adopts a holistic perspective on contemporary interior design, paying great attention to sustainability, materials and production processes in contemporary design while respecting the environment.
The rich tradition of Italian interior design is confronted with new trends and technologies with a single objective: to design relational spaces, environments that foster human relationships and connections between people, living beings and objects.
Features
The Master of Arts uses a learning by doing approach and look into different aspects behind the realisation of an interior design project, such as the choice of materials to be used, lighting and colour, without forgetting the support of new trends and technologies applied to contemporary interior design.
Internships with partner companies and institutions are a fundamental step for our students in order to give them a real insight into the role of the interior designer in a real working context.
The aim is to ensure that students build a personal portfolio to present at the end of their studies.
The Masters, developed through different modules, will seek to address different aspects of contemporary interior design such as the elements of space-making, human perception in space using all senses, the use of artificial intelligence applied to interior design, the perception of space and the construction of an interior design project based on the surrounding space.
Method
The Master of Arts in Interior Design is based on a learning strategy aimed at nurturing creative talent through the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.
Its main objectives are:
- Equip the student with the essential knowledge, method, and skills needed to excel in interior design, placing a central emphasis on the collaboration with companies and customers.
- Enhance effective decision-making abilities in addressing complex creative challenges through hands-on practice.
- Provide a robust methodology, enabling the student to proficiently manage and implement the entire process of creating meaningful interior designs, while also actively contributing into the cultural debate and innovation within the field.
To be admitted into the Master of Arts course, students must have a second class (2.2) honours or higher in art, design, or other creative disciplines from any recognised ISCED level 6 programme. Graduates in scientific disciplines, social sciences, and humanities can also be selected, as well as candidates who have previously gained significant professional experience in the field of the Master selected.
SPD also considers other relevant experience and/or the attendance of SPD Preparatory Courses. In addition, international students need an IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5.
After the successful completion of the Master’s programme, eligible students can earn the Master of Arts degree, awarded with 180 UK credits (corresponding to 90 ECTS credits). The Master of Arts Courses are accredited by Teesside University, SPD’s Educational Partner. The standard programme (without Advanced Practice) awards a total of 180 UK credits (90 ECTS), while the version with Advanced Practice awards 240 UK credits (120 ECTS).
The Internship/Advanced Practice pathway offers numerous significant advantages, making it an ideal choice for those who wish to maximize their education and gain high-level practical experience. This programme includes not only an internship but also the Major Project.
The 15-week module is a unique opportunity to experience a first taste of the professional or academic life ahead of you and to test the knowledge and skills acquired in your studies. Only students enrolled in the 2-years programme can take this module.
During this semester, you have the option to choose from three opportunities:
- a professional experience in a real workplace environment (internship);
- an in-depth exploration of a particularly significant study topic through a research project within the school, in collaboration with a company (project work);
- an experience of personal and cultural growth through a period of study in a different institution (study abroad period).
The Major Project is the final individual research project that will allow you to investigate a specific topic at a high level, within a proposed research framework or project brief.
This project not only represents the culmination of your education but also marks the beginning of your professional career.
With the Major Project you will, indeed, have the opportunity to gain genuine project experience at the professional level, and when the project involves collaboration with companies, your ideas, if deemed of particular interest, may become the subject of further development that will make your resume competitive in the relevant industry.
After completion of the MA in Interior Design at SPD, you are ready to embark on a career in various fields, including:
- Interior Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Interior Design Consultant
- Sustainable Design Consultant
| YEAR | SUBJECTS | UK CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | Elements of Space-Making The first part, “Ordinary,” aims to teach students the standard elements for designing interior space, providing them with a basic grammar. The second part, “Extra-Ordinary”, aims to challenge the standard tools learned in the previous module, encouraging students to “go beyond” the predefined solutions. | 40 |
| Perceiving the Space The purpose of this module is to explore space using all senses, with a focus on light and materials. The final assignment centres on producing the physical model of an intimate space for themselves. | 20 | |
| Devices Through a combination of theoretical concepts and practical exercises, this module analyses the dimensional and ergonomic aspects of furniture. The final assignment focuses on the detailed design of a furniture piece, conceived as a living machine, with the production of technical drawings, physical models, and material palettes. | 20 | |
| Habitats The field of application is a real and tangible space located in Milan. Students can experiment with the relationship between existing space and new function, between pre-existing elements and contemporary integration. Collaborations and synergies with companies are activated, providing real project briefs to allow students to investigate and experiment with different typologies of interior design (food, living, hospitality, offices, etc.) and gain hands-on experience. | 40 | |
| Second Year | Advanced Practice Experience either a vocational internship with external institutions and companies, an internal research internship, or a period of study abroad. | 60 |
| Major Project Develop your own design research under the guidance of the Course Leader. | 60 |
*The study plans, including laboratory activities, may be subject to updates.
Partners
Faculty
See the projects realised during the course
