MA Interior Design

This introductory unit will equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle your studies with confidence. We’ll go over the course structure, research and academic standards, learning and assessment methods, project outcomes and expectations, and evidence-based design techniques.

We’ll investigate the different forms of interior design across various sectors, such as retail, hospitality, leisure, education, exhibition, and healthcare design. You’ll get to explore your own specialist practice interests and define a personal research focus for your studies.

With this unit, you’ll focus on how to implement a sustainable approach to domestic and commercial design projects. You’ll learn about identifying and sourcing materials, fixtures and fittings for sustainable wellbeing, plus concepts such as biophilic design and passivhaus approaches to deliver net-zero-ready new and existing buildings.

As its title suggests, the Collaboration unit focuses on developing a collaborative, practice-based approach to interior design. We’ll look at integrating interior design techniques with healthcare and lifestyle living, and what can be accomplished from collaborative usability.

This unit focuses on the interior design of commercial spaces – from the initial concept stages through to planning and interior detailing. You’ll study the principal aspects of commercial interior design including function, aesthetic, user requirements, and constraints of the building envelope.

Together, we’ll explore the meaning of reinvention within interior design and how designs can be enhanced by transforming old features into new ones. Through this unit, you’ll understand how to make creative, sustainable work by repurposing materials, styles, spaces, and structures.

Your lessons and coursework for this unit will introduce you to a different view about how we use the five senses - vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch - to enhance the user experience. Alongside this, we’ll explore complex theories around spatial awareness, premonition, intuition, and meanings of interiority, space and time.

During this unit, you’ll learn about designing for diverse occupancy within domestic, work, and educational environments. By examining cultures from across the world, we’ll also research how designers can create spaces that support multigenerational and community living.

The Research Methods unit will help you investigate and select a strong, original topic for your Master’s Project. You’ll be introduced to a range of approaches to research design and how to make effective links between theoretical frameworks and their practical application.

As the final part of the course, your Master’s Project will require you to work independently under supervision, to produce a research-informed project on a topic chosen by you. It’s your opportunity to further explore your specialism of interest and showcase all the knowledge you’ve gained.

MA Interior Design careers video transcript

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MA Interior Design

Careers and opportunities for graduates

The MA Interior Design programme is a fantastic platform to build the expertise you need to make strides in the interior design industry.

After graduation, you’ll be prepared to follow your interests into a variety of domestic or commercial design environments. Some examples include...

Spatial interior designer

This is a relatively new conceptual design discipline that crosses the boundaries of traditional design specialisms, such as interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, landscape design, and urban design. Spatial interior designers create interior and exterior spaces that enhance the user experience.

Exhibition designer

Make use of your skills in technical drawing and creative design to produce innovative display stands and captivating spaces. This could be for museums, galleries, libraries, private businesses, or for events or conferences.

Textile designer

Working in both industrial and non-industrial locations, textile designers create ideas for interiors and fashion. Your two-dimensional designs could be produced on knit, weave, printed, or textile products such as upholstery and clothing.

Set designer

Set or production designers develop spaces for films, TV, and theatre. You'll use your skills in visual aesthetics to create imaginative sets to fit a brief. The role could involve producing plans, models, and drawings as well as working with producers and directors.

Visual merchandiser

You could work within the retail industry as a creative ambassador in visual merchandising. You'll consider elements such as layouts, aesthetics, and colour to enhance the customer experience and maximise sales.

Interior product designer

As a product designer, you could pursue a career in areas including furniture or lighting design. You will have an eye for detail and may work with craftsmen and manufacturers. You’ll typically follow a brief to research ideas, prepare sketches, and produce and test prototypes.

Interior design specialisms

The Society of British and International Design (SIBD) identified its specialist disciplines of interior design, which show some areas you could choose to pursue. These include...

• Public space design
• Retail design
• Government design
• Workplace design
• Residential design
• Aeronautical design
• Marine design
• Transport design
• Healthcare design
• Hospitality design

Learn more: https://www.sbid.org/specialisms-in-interior-design/

We’re a creative community

Arts University Bournemouth Online is committed to helping students everywhere turn their talent into careers.

As one of the top ranked specialist art and design universities in the UK, you can trust that you’ll have us by your side as you head into this exciting new chapter.

Want to learn more?

We're here to help. If you have any questions about our online, part-time MA in Interior Design, get in touch with a course adviser.

• +44 1202 122 883
• info@studyonline.aub.ac.uk

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Hello, my name's Sarah Bax. I'm the Course Leader for the MA Interior Design online programme at Arts University Bournemouth.

Who is this course for?

Well, whether you're a graduate, a professional or an aspiring interior or architectural interior designer, the MA Interior Design online programme will help you make your mark on this exciting field. It provides opportunities for those interested in a variety of design disciplines, providing a broad spectrum of knowledge to take forward into future careers. Whether your interests lie in either commercial or domestic design, or whether it is interior design, architectural interior design, or interior spatial design, the curriculum will support you in establishing a career in your specialism of choice.

The course covers interiority as a whole and therefore aimed at those who are also interested in wanting to specialize in research within interior products, for example, or textiles materials and surface finishes. They can all be explored and integrated into your specialist practice.

What makes this course stand out?

This unique course is designed to blend research and practice with creative theory. The programme's varied curriculum considers interior design in its broader context, with a strong underpinning delivery of sustainability and design for wellbeing, including the benefits of biophilic design. This increases connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature plus space and place conditions. You have the opportunity to research design projects that contribute to a sustainable future and how designers need to be aware of the standards that contribute to new, sustainable, global and government goals.

What will students learn from this course?

The course will not only give you the theoretical understanding of how to analyze design related challenges, but also the ability to translate your knowledge into solutions. You will have the opportunity to explore collaboration, experience, transition, inclusivity and diversity. The multifaceted elements of the MA encourages new ways of creative thought. Each of its seven modules will look at existing problems and how you can respond to the changing needs of clients in a creative, experimental way.

What modules will students study?

Some of the modules include designing for inclusivity, community and multigenerational living in home work and learning environments. How a designer can make a positive change to education and schools. How learning can be enhanced through design and how the workplace can be a more productive place to want to be in combining interior design with well being and health care to promote accessibility, longevity and healthy living.