Nyah Nassif

What has your experience been like studying Master's in Interior Design at IE so far?

I have truly had a wonderful experience studying a Master’s in Interior Design at IE thus far and despite  not knowing what my future holds, I can still say it is the best decision I could have made. Every single  day, I am learning, and each day is different than the last. I wanted to join this program specifically  because the faculty are all accomplished and practicing designers from a range of disciplines. They are  seeing first-hand how design is evolving around the world, and they are bringing their knowledge and  experience to us. Every class has an open dialogue between students and professors, which is different  to other educational environments but vital for a creative profession like ours. 

How has the program changed the way you think about space and design?

Before this program, my design experience was concentrated on aesthetics; colors, textures, trends,  forms, furniture sourcing, etc. Although these elements are undeniably important within the interior  design field, they are secondary to the ideal of designing with intention, coherence, and meaning. This  program teaches you how to think. Full stop. We can’t settle for our first idea or something that works  because we have seen it done several times before. We have to stretch our minds, be brave, and  explore new typologies of what space, design, and materiality could look like in the future.  

Can you tell us about a project you’re especially proud of?

What made it meaningful to you? The project I am currently working on is especially exciting to me. Our brief is to redesign Mercado  Anton Martin, which is a historic market located in the heart of Madrid, but has many issues  aesthetically and programmatically. Something I love about this program is how it focuses on the built  environment and how we, as interior designers, can propose new concepts, materials, and interventions  that revive a space. In urban environments, it is neither practical nor sustainable to build from the  ground up, so it is important to be creative within the ‘confines’ of a container. The redesign of Mercado  Anton Martin is a perfect exercise for that, because we don’t want to wipe out the historical heritage  and authentic Spanish culture of the market, but rather highlight these aspects in a contemporary way  to draw both locals and tourists.  

What role does sustainability or wellbeing play in your projects?

These days, if you are not designing for sustainability, longevity and wellbeing, then you are decades  behind. It is a non-negotiable. We have to be thinking about how our design will look 5, 10, 50, 100  years down the line. In my projects, I like to have a deep understanding about the materials, how they  wear over time and use, and how they respond to elements. Besides materiality, I also like to design not  based on trends but based on timeless and universal human needs such as wellbeing, belonging, and  transformation.  

What has been the biggest challenge for you in the program, and how have you handled it?

The workload is no joke and given that my background is mainly in business and sales, I had to work  even harder to learn the programs and keep up. As designers, we wear many hats. We are the  researchers, the creative directors, the architects, the drawers, and the saleswomen. In order to thrive  in all of these roles, it requires time and discipline, but it becomes all worth it when you produce  something you’re proud of and when you can reflect on it knowing you grew as an individual both  personally and professionally.  

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to the Master's in Interior Design?

This is an incredible opportunity to expand yourself. Not only professionally, but also personally. I have  made friends for life here, and we are each other’s family away from home. Madrid attracts cool people,  so my only advice would be to take the leap.