Elisava School of Design
Interior Design Diploma

The Postgraduate Diplomas at Elisava are open to students and professionals wishing to spend one semester in Barcelona to broaden and refine their design skills at the graduate level. Interior Design Diploma students study alongside the Interior Design Master’s Degree students, completing one of the two terms, and receive a Postgraduate Diploma upon completion of the program. The Interior Design Master’s Degree is split into two distinct Postgraduate Diplomas: “Postgraduate in Interior Space Design: Work Spaces” in the Fall; and “Postgraduate in Interior Space Design: Private Perimeters” in the Spring. All students follow a predetermined set of coursework.


Postgraduate Diploma Options
Fall: Work Spaces
Spring: Private Perimeters

Application Requirements
Complete online application
Portfolio (4 pages max; PDF; 2MB size max)
Letter of motivation (1 page; PDF)
Curriculum Vitae (2 pages; PDF)
Official Bachelor’s Degree transcript
Passport scan (photo page; PDF)
EU privacy consent form

Application Deadline
Fall Diploma: May 1
Spring Diploma: November 1
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits

Program Dates
Fall Diploma: Early September – Early March
Spring Diploma: Early February – Early August


Eligibility Requirements

Age: 18+

Academic: Completed Bachelor’s degree

*contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements

Undergraduate GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)

English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit IELTS: 5+, or proof of attending school in English for 3+ years.



Coming soon

Program Description
The Master’s Degree in Interior Design is designed for students wishing to gain advanced knowledge on the theory and the practice of interior spaces, focusing on the changing social, economic, technological and environmental conditions that effect domestic and work spaces. The degree consists of two Postgraduate Diplomas, which can be taken individually:

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Work Spaces (fall term)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Private Perimeters (spring term)

This course of study develops students’ capacity to analyze, identify and create solutions to design problems in the built environment using critical thinking and spatial understanding. Elisava encourages and supports the application of technological innovation as an advanced method to design interior spaces and furniture.

The degree adheres to the following objectives, focused on strengthening students’ individual abilities:

  • Study in depth the specific production characteristics of various design methods in connection with work space.
  • Discover the requirements of corporate entities.
  • Value the impact of new technologies on the fitting out of physical space.
  • Assimilate emerging social and cultural values, which form the basis of implementation criteria, by studying the disciplines they consist of: ergonomics, ecology, economics, sociology, anthropology and their impact on the design process.
  • Use knowledge creatively.

Due After Acceptance
After acceptance, students must submit an Apostille-Certified Bachelor’s Degree of University Diploma. The Hague Apostille (Apostille Convention) is a method of validating a public document for use outside of its origin country. In the United States the Competent Authorities designated to issue Apostilles are the Secretaries of States. Students wishing to enroll in graduate level coursework at Elisava must receive an Apostille on their degree from the state of the degree’s issuance.

The Interior Design Master’s Degree is composed of two separate diplomas taught in block style. Postgraduate Diploma students enroll in either the Fall or Spring section of the program, and follow the Master’s degree curriculum, designed around collaborative problem-solving, hands-on experience and workforce preparedness.

Postgraduate in Interior Space Design: Private Perimeters (Fall)
Planning Guide of the Workspace

  • Basic measurements
  • Mechanization of the environment
  • Voice and data management
  • Introduction to resource management: facilities and project management
  • Maintenance and reinstatement; operating services

New Project Operators / New Performances

  • Space organization. Project operators related to new behaviors.
  • Architectural devices and work organization.
  • Historic development and recent office implementations.

Corporative Interior Design

  • Communication and Design.
  • Design for the company –design for the users.
  • Concept and space planning.

Basic Values for the Well-Being of the User

  • Ergonomics
  • Occupational health and safety
  • Sound, thermal, and lighting comfort
  • Acoustic

Fitting Out Work Space

  • System components: furniture
  • System components: lighting
  • Applied graphics; signage; and corporate image
  • Covering materials. Cataloguing and certifying products.
  • Production processes of fixtures and fittings

Perception of the Interior Space

  • Light as an asset in the conceptualization of space
  • New textures, new meanings
  • About color
  • Atmosphere

Project: the project consists of the implementation of an administrative or professional office in a pre-existent venue.

Other

  • Visits to the interior of buildings and corporations and visits to companies that produce specialized equipment for the work space.
  • Different lectures given by renowned professionals.
  • Each thematic module is related to one practical exercise or workshop.

Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Space Design: Private Perimeters (Spring)

Module: Criteria for Interior Space
Theoretical approach concerned with critical reflection upon professional practice and creative processes of interior design.

  • Methodologies and introduction to research
  • Design process: explore and analyze client/user requirements and brief, project development, budgeting, project management and project communication.
  • Theoretical reflections: houses today, spatial criteria, color, etc.

Views (of people with experience involved in or close to the process of interior design)

  • Builder’s view, client’s view, photographer’s view, editor’s view.

Lectures: Renowned interior designers, architects, designers and other professionals involved in interior design present their own work

Field Trips: Visits to examples that show the high value of the design process and an excellent result of a domestic interior design.

Module: Tools

Furniture and building materials for interior design

  • Selection of materials and their application systems for an interior space.
  • Knowledge of technical, practical and aesthetic functions.
  • Field trip to Materfad the materioteca of the FAD (Fostering Arts and Design) to learn about innovative materials and production.
  • Sustainable materials, products and systems for the health and air quality in an interior space.

Installations and comfort in a domestic interior. General implementation of installations.

  • Implementation of installations in the domestic interior design project, plumbing and sewer system, electrical installation and lighting, ventilation and gas, heating and air conditioning, home automation and telecommunications, energy efficient installations.

Module: Design of an Interior Space

Workshops

The several workshops promote a conceptual and experimental approach to design through a hands-on learning method. It usually begins with a presentation to provide the theoretical foundation that aims to deepen the comprehension of a specific subject. During the workshop, students will develop an intense quick draft resolution or a physical object:

  • Kitchen design
  • Furniture design
  • Experimental space

Module: Main Project
The project is based on the development of an interior design of a private domestic space. Special attention is given to the selection of a built environment that would allow a maximum degree of approximation to a real case. A free-thinking attitude is expectedly paired with a courageous deci- sion-making in order to generate powerful and innovative ideas where empathy and emotions are reflected in the results.

Perseverance, curiosity, motivation and risk-taking are determinant factors to achieve a high performance and exceptional results. Tutors will be attentive to the sensitivity of the students, guiding them through the design process and help them manage their personal cultural background. Throughout the years, we have addressed various interior design projects with very different themes and have succeeded to inspire students to transform their knowledge and skills into creative ideas, obtaining a variety of outstanding results.

SAI Program Fees* USD
Application Fee $120
Program Fee:
Includes tuition, postgraduate diploma and SAI Select Services (see What’s Included).
Contact SAI
Optional / Additional Fees:  
International Mailing Supplement
When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner.
$90

*prices are subject to change

Budget Low Est. High Est.
Airfare to/from Barcelona
$900 $1,100
Visa
Cost depends on travel to Consulate.
$160 $360
Books, Supplies & Course Fees $300 $500
Meals
Includes groceries and eating out.
$400 / month $800 / month
Housing
SAI can provide recommendations.
$1,000 / month $1,300 / month
Personal Expenses $350 / month $450 / month
Transportation within Barcelona
Public transportation with some taxi rides.
$100 / month $150 / month
Weekend Travel
Cost varies greatly by student.
$300 / month $1,000 / month

This is an SAI Select Services Program; it includes the important on-site services!

  • Postgraduate diploma awarded by Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering
  • Program tuition
  • Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
  • SAI orientation to the host city and school
  • SAI staff on-site providing assistance as needed and 24-hour emergency support

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

  • US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
  • Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
  • Assistance with student visa application
  • Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
  • SAI alumni network

Housing is not included in SAI Select Services Programs. However, your SAI Admissions Counselor will be happy to provide you with information and recommendations for housing agencies, dormitories, and rentals in Barcelona. Students who do not have prior housing arrangements should begin speaking with their Admissions Counselor as soon as possible. All students are required to submit to SAI information regarding their housing arrangements prior to program start.

Passports
Passports should be valid for 6 months after planned departure from Spain.

Student Visas
In accordance with Spanish law students studying in Spain for 6 months or more are required to obtain a long stay student visa. Those with Spanish/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for details on student visa requirements.