A modern interior hallway with smooth walls and natural light.

Master in Interior Design (MDes)

Interior Design with Purpose

Duration
language
location
intake
Mode of Study
format
10 months
English
Madrid
September
Full-time
In-person

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Master in Interior Design (MDes) 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.

An interior space featuring light colors and abstract wall art.

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.

    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.

    The journey begins with designing spaces for living and expands progressively to larger environments.

  • 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.

5 REASONS TO STUDY THIS PROGRAM

  • 01.

    Vibrant studio culture: foster collaboration and innovation

    1. Students will collaborate closely with peers from diverse design disciplines, sharing spaces for working and prototyping, using state-of-the-art technology and resources in our Fab Lab (Digital Fabrications, Hand Work, and Biomaterials Lab). Students will immerse themselves in a culture dedicated to craft and creativity, where you’ll share your work in an innovative environment while engaging with the broader community through site visits at local and international manufacturers, showrooms, design fairs and events. Explore the diverse facets of the design industry and experience our commitment to craft through our facilities, with access to IE University’s shared workshops including wet-lab, printmaking, photography, film, moving image, digital, plastic, ceramics, wood and metalwork.
  • 02.

    Be part of a global network

    1. Tap into a vast network of academic alliances and industry partnerships that span the globe. Collaborate closely with seasoned faculty, industry leaders and a diverse alumni community. Attend regular guest lectures and workshops from leading sector figures, visit relevant design events and enjoy face-to-face meetings with international professionals, brands and suppliers. Gain practical experience and firsthand insights into important projects’ development, enriching your educational journey.
  • 03.

    Sharpen your entrepreneurial edge

    Cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset that’s so crucial to success in interior design. Through courses such as the Business of Design module for Interior Design, you will master not only the design skills essential in producing impactful work but also the strategic business insight to excel in delivering projects across diverse professional contexts.

  • 04.

    Experience excellence beyond the classroom

    Elevate your learning experience through practical, real-world engagement from day one. Take advantage of study trips, international visits to sector-leading organizations, internships, exchanges and field trips. Engage with our extensive global network across the public, private and third sectors, enhancing your professional development through conferences, events and direct interactions with thought leaders and sector luminaries.

  • 05.

    Learn through innovative teaching methodologies

    Integrate our "learning by doing" and "learning by relating" principles to navigate the sector’s interconnected and dynamic professional ecosystem. Benefit from expert mentorship while working on real projects for real communities, companies and organizations. You will gain invaluable practical experience, making an immediate positive impact and tackling the industry’s challenges confidently.

  • Saúl Nuñez Ibarra | IE School of Architecture and Design
    Saúl Núñez
    Senior Manager of Global Recruitment

    ANY DOUBTS?

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

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OPEN CALL: IE and JLL Design Wonder High Potential Award

This global initiative by JLL and IE School of Architecture and Design supports top talent with 9 fully funded places for IE's 10n-month Master in Interior Design.

Beyond financial support, awardees gain exclusive course content, real-world insights, and the chance to join JLL’s Design Solutions or Tétris Design and Build studios. Ready to shape the future of design? 

PROGRAM DRIVERS

The essence of the (MDes) Master in Interior Design

  • 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

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