Elisava School of Design
Interior Design Master's Degree
One Year

The Master’s Degree in Interior Design is aimed at students who wish to specialize in architectural interior design. It focuses on enhancing interior space with a distinctive character and appropriate significance by underscoring its inherent sensitivities (light, color, materials, textures, etc.) and also providing it with suitable conditions of use.


Degree Length
One year; Fall and Spring Intake.

Application Requirements
Complete online application
Portfolio (4 pages / 2MB size max; PDF)
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 Intake: May 1
Spring Intake: November 1
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits

Program Dates
Fall Intake: Early September – Early August
Spring Intake: Mid February – Late February


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 a one-year program designed to help students develop their understanding of the theory and practice of designing interior spaces. The program focuses on the changing social, economic, technological, and environmental conditions that impact cultural expectations concerning domestic and professional spaces.

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

  • Knowledge of certain factors that may influence the interior design, such as: new technologies, new social models, changing patterns of behavior or specific programs.
  • The ability to give space a differentiating character, by mastering sensitive matter such as light, materials and color.
  • Ability to organize and plan a space.
  • Mastery of work phases and professional planning of projects.
  • Ability to work as a team and autonomously.
  • Ability to create functional and aesthetically interesting solutions to complex problems.
  • Mastery of good graphic and verbal communication in order to additionally emphasize the value of a project.

Student Profile
This degree is aimed at graduates in Design, Fine Arts, Architects, Architectural technicians, building engineers, and professionals with proven experience in this field.

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 semesters of study taught in block style. All students follow the same curriculum, designed around collaborative problem-solving, hands-on experience and workforce preparedness.

MODULE 1
GUIDELINES FOR LAYOUT DESIGN OF WORK SPACE

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

MODULE 2
NEW PROJECT OPERATORS RELATED TO NEW BEHAVIOURS

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

MODULE 3
CORPORATE INTERIOR DESIGN

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

MODULE 4
BASIC VALUES FOR USER WELFARE

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

MODULE 5
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.

MODULE 6
PERCEPTION OF THE INTERIOR SPACE

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

MODULE 7
INTERIOR DESIGN CRITERIA
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, colour, 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
Visit to exemplary built architecture and interior design examples that show the high value of the design process and an excellent result of a domestic interior design.

MODULE 8
TOOLS
Furniture and building materials for interior design.

  • Selection criteria for materials and their application systems.
  • Knowledge of technical, practical and aesthetic functions of materials and products.
  • 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 9
THE 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 10
MAIN PROJECT OF THE COURSE
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 decision-making in order to generate powerful and innovative ideas where empathy and emotions are reflected in the results.

SAI Program Fees* USD
Application Fee $140
Program Fee
Includes tuition, Master’s degree 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!

  • Master’s Degree awarded by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and 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.