A modern art gallery hallway with colorful ceiling lights and artwork displayed on the walls.

(Mdes) Master In Interior Design

Interior Design with Purpose
Duration10 months
languageEnglish
locationMadrid
intakeSeptember
Mode of StudyFull-time
formatIn-person

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Master in Design (MDes) in Interior Design at IE School of Architecture and Design is an intensive 10-month, in-person program based in Madrid, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the field of interior design.

Statistically, people in the Western world spend a significant majority of their time indoors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the average American spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, which translates to about 21 hours per day.

This has implications for health and well-being, including exposure to indoor. air quality, which is often 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. The dominance of indoor living highlights the importance of designing spaces that promote health, natural light, and access to outdoor environments.

Interior design plays a pivotal role within the creative industries, driving innovation, fostering creativity, demonstrating resilience and making significant societal contributions.

Interior designers possess the power to transform spaces and elevate the human experience. Making an impact in interior design entails mastering sustainable practices, understanding ergonomic principles and leveraging technology.

It also involves understanding business dynamics, mastering client relationship management and aligning design solutions with overarching strategic objectives.

Our Master in Interior Design offers a distinctive educational journey. Students enhance their foundational design skills with knowledge in sustainability, business and craft specifically applied to the interior design field.

This comprehensive approach prepares them to lead and innovate, equipping them with the skills needed to excel as interior designers worldwide. Our program sets the stage for the next generation of interior design leaders, empowering them to make a significant impact.

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WANT TO KNOW MORE?

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR

  • IS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT...

    To lead the future of interior design, building a more sustainable, beautiful and just environment. We commit to sustainability, craft and entrepreneurship.

    We welcome candidates with a range of life experiences and academic backgrounds. The journey begins with designing spaces for living and expands progressively to larger environments.

    Students learn to address various scales meticulously, from the intimacy of individual rooms to the grandeur of communal areas across different contexts, encompassing both living spaces and spaces for social interaction and exchange.

  • LOOKING FOR…

    An immersive education that offers a rich design culture, preparing to excel in interior design with a broad exposure to design innovation tools and methods.

    Students seek a program that balances core design principles with specialized interior design topics, providing access to global networks, entrepreneurial training, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative teaching methodologies.

    The program explores the intersection of space, environment, and media, viewing spatial design as multidimensional and encompassing a range of scales—from material to virtual, local to global, and individual to collective.

  • TO BECOME…

    Interior designers equipped to make a significant impact in their field, ready to succeed wherever their creative career might take them. Graduates will be prepared to work in diverse areas such as residential and commercial interior design, hospitality and retail design, healthcare design, exhibition and event design or furniture and set design. Students will produce interior design work by mixing formats of diverse disciplines such as art, dance, film, photography, graphic and illustration, social media and communication.

    They will become leaders who prioritize not only human experience but also place the entire post-human ecosystem at the heart of their design practice, fostering harmony and interconnectedness among humans, plants, and animals.

    They will drive positive change, pioneer future trends and address complex challenges that require meaningful cultural, social and political approaches in corporate, private and public contexts.

    Graduated students will have the skills to collaborate closely with global design teams, delivering concept designs and 3D space planning, including visuals and computer-generated images. You will excel in developing comprehensive concept presentations, know how to manage FF&E procurement, maintain budgets and coordinate with suppliers to meet project deadlines.

Modern office space with large artworks, workstations, and a central staircase
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IE and JJL Design Wonder Award

5 REASONS TO STUDY THIS PROGRAM

  • Three people are discussing over architectural drawings displayed on panels in a busy workshop environment.
  • A person presenting at a conference with flags of Spain, the European Union, and another in the background.
  • A group of diverse people engaged in a discussion around a table with notes and a whiteboard in a bright room.
  • A group of people standing in front of a modern white building with a unique architectural design.
  • A woman browsing through fabric swatches in a modern textile store with other customers and staff in the background.
  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man wearing a suit and an unbuttoned white shirt.
    Saul Nuñez
    Senior Manager of Global Recruitment
    ANY DOUBTS?

    Please contact our program specialist for personalized advice on your specific case.

PROGRAM DRIVERS

The essence of the (MDes) Master in Interior Design

  • People examining and selecting fabrics in a modern textile shop.

    Comprehensive curriculum with specialization

    The Master in Interior Design offers a broad foundation in core design principles and specialized interior design topics. Program students will gain a solid grounding in creativity and design before delving deeply into industry specifics such as acoustics and thermal control, lighting, ergonomics, product and furniture design, interior landscaping, applied technology, space narrative and art curation. Beyond traditional boundaries, students will experiment by incorporating disciplines such as scenography, cinema, photography and music into their interior design projects. Culture and history also play a major role in spatial design, sparking intellectual conversations in the field and addressing complex social, political and environmental challenges. Students will develop a unique and innovative approach to their work through these discussions.

  • A group of people in an informal meeting space, one wearing a jacket with 'Plastic Free Oceans' written on the back.

    SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT

    IE School of Architecture and Design strongly emphasizes sustainable design practices and the transformative social impact of design. Students of the Master in Interior Design learn to use eco-friendly materials and design methodologies that promote sustainability, aligning with the growing global demand for environmentally and socially responsible design and fabrication solutions. Our approach equips students with both a profound understanding of these materials and practical experience of working with them to create designs that improve both human well-being and environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the program addresses interior design’s social, economic and environmental impact, prompting students to consider its potential as a game changer in these contexts. It encourages critical thinking and reflection on the implications of design decisions.

  • An elegant and modern restaurant interior featuring a bar with hanging lights and blue seating.

    ENTREPRENEURSHIP

    The curriculum integrates robust business skills, ensuring that students become outstanding designers and strategic and entrepreneurial thinkers. Through modules such as The Business of Design, students learn to approach the field with a strategic business focus, helping them cultivate a mindset for success in their own entrepreneurial ventures or within established organizations. Equipped with a well-rounded knowledge of market trends, client needs, project management and the demanding realities of the business aspect of the discipline, students emerge prepared for leadership and innovation in interior design. They will develop the contemporary behavioral and social skills demanded by the design industry, enhancing their communication, leadership and teamwork proficiency. They will learn to engage effectively with various stakeholders, hone their expertise in delivering presentations, negotiate effectively and manage their time efficiently.

  • FUTURE-FOCUSED DESIGN

    The program is forward-thinking, preparing students to be industry leaders. Students will engage with cutting-edge topics and technologies, ensuring they are well equipped to lead and innovate.

    Graduates emerge not only up-to-date with the current state of the industry but also as pioneers in this dynamic, highly creative, and rapidly evolving field. Particular attention is dedicated to the use of AI as a creative tool and beyond.

  • An open notebook containing detailed architectural sketches and notes, predominantly in blue ink.
  • A modern and futuristic news studio with vibrant LED screens and dynamic lighting.
  • Modern living room furniture and decor layout with neutral tones.
  • A modern, minimalist interior of a room with decorative shelves, large windows, and stylish furniture
  • Hands holding a tablet displaying a virtual interior design of a modern living room within a minimalist styled room.
  • A modern and elegant interior featuring a sweeping staircase with wooden accents and minimalistic decor.
  • A hand arranging various material samples like ceramic, metal, and concrete on a table.
  • A modern art gallery interior with abstract paintings displayed on white walls, under a curved ceiling with natural light coming through large windows.
  • 3D architectural floor plan of a modern house showing different rooms and interior layout.
  • A modern office space decorated with wall-mounted shelves displaying miniature vehicles, a floral arrangement, and inspirational quotes.
  • An outdoor display of various wooden furniture pieces including shelves and tables.
  • A modern dental office with a stylish interior design featuring a yellow dental chair and decorative circular mirrors on the wall.
  • The order of the image credits is from left to right.

    VIVA LA DIFERENCIA Madrid, Design Ciszak Dalmas

    MALABABA Madrid, Design Ciszak Dalmas Ferrari, Ph Asier Rua

    HISCOX London, Design Ciszak Dalmas Ferrari, Ph Stale Eriksen

    Design Ciszak Dalmas, Moodboards

    HISCOX London, Design Ciszak Dalmas Ferrari, Ph Stale Eriksen

    HISCOX London, Drawings

    HOFF Madrid, Design Ciszak Dalmas Ferrari, Ph. Asier Rua

    MAX&CO Milan, Design Ciszak Dalmas

UNSURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PROGRAM TO HELP YOU ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY?

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