Degree Programme in Interior Architecture

Objectives

You will design the interiors of new homes and public spaces, as well as renovations to old buildings. We design residential buildings, restaurants, shops, offices, hotels, hospitals, schools, ships and offices. Furniture, fixtures and fittings and interior design products are an essential part of the architecture of a space.

Exterior architecture, interiors and furnishings form a whole. The design objectives are comfort, wellbeing, livability and successful business. To achieve these objectives, the interior designer needs to be supported by specialist designers. A successful interior design project requires an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the design brief and the ability to work as part of a team. Design, construction and manufacturing must be responsible and inclusive of all users.

A degree in interior design will enable you to develop your own competitiveness and skills in the field.

Degree programme description

High-quality interior and furniture design creates a sense of cosiness and well-being

Core competences and supplementary competences in interior architecture.

The studies in the core competences are common to all design educations. Supplementary knowledge consists of studies relevant to professional competence.

The core competences develop a wide range of basic skills and knowledge that every designer, whatever his or her specialisation, needs to practise his or her profession.

Common to all design education and training courses are the following core modules:

- Common studies (30 ECTS)
- Designer (15 ECTS)
- Application of art (15 ECTS)
- Visualisation (15 ECTS)
- Creative economy (15 ECTS)
- Practical training (30 ECTS)
- Bachelor’s thesis (15 ECTS)

Supplementary knowledge consists of studies chosen by the student. You can deepen or broaden your core competences and profile your own skills. You can tailor a package of individual courses or modules to suit your personal study and career plan. Your professional skills will be based on a mastery of design practices and a strong knowledge of the materials and methods used in the profession.


Supplementary skills modules include:

Spatial and interior design (15 ECTS)

After completing the module, you will understand the basics of spatial design and be able to communicate your design through sketches, simple 2D building drawings and 3D modelling.

Digital operating environment (15 ECTS)

On completion of the module, you will be able to use 3D modelling software as part of the design process. You will be able to create virtual representations of selected augmented reality methods and design functional, energy-efficient, user-friendly spaces that meet modern safety and comfort requirements.

Lighting and acoustics design (15 ECTS)

After completing the module, you will be able to use light sources in a variety of ways to create atmosphere, improve the efficiency and usability of a space, and consider spatial, structural and material solutions to control sound conditions. You will be aware of the importance of spaces in enabling people's physical and mental well-being and recovery. You are able to design a space as a whole of detail, with visual balance, harmony and contrasts.

Construction products and systems (15 ECTS)

After completing the module, you will understand a building as the sum of its parts and as a whole. You will be able to optimise space planning so that fixed furniture makes the most efficient and practical use of the available space. You will be able to identify and select materials suitable for different uses on the basis of their qualitative properties, usability and sustainable design.

RDI - Research, development and innovation (15 ECTS)

You understand the importance of project organisation and management, teamwork and key roles in the success of projects. You will be able to report and evaluate project management choices and use problem-solving techniques creatively and critically in a real-life project.

Other optional studies (15 ECTS) vary from one academic year to the next. Courses are common to all cultural studies, and you can choose the courses that suit your interests.

Implementation of studies

Flexible study opportunities

At the beginning of the studies, you prepare your personal study plan (PSP) which helps you make choices related to the studies, practical training, bachelor’s thesis and international activities. We make every effort to ensure that you can plan your studies in the best way possible, according to your own life situation.

The studies are implemented using various methods:

- lectures
- independent assignments
- teamwork
- online studies
- projects with companies and other organisations
- projects carried out at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
- examinations
- practical training.

Career opportunities

After graduation, you can work in architecture offices, interior design offices and various design offices providing interior design services.

As an interior architect, you can work with experts in the field in multidisciplinary teams, in project and development work in the private or public sector, or as an entrepreneur in your own design company. Starting your own business during your studies is possible and is supported by extensive entrepreneurial studies at Xamk.

The studies will give you options to pursue career paths that are relevant to your interests. The degree will also give you the skills to work in supervisory and teaching positions.

Interior designers have the opportunity to make a difference by making responsible and sustainable choices of materials for the future and by exploiting energy-efficient technological innovations. The key is to be involved in developments and to be sensitive to changes in the sector.


Is your dream work

- 3D visualiser
- residential interior designer
- customer service assistant in furniture and interior design stores
- hotel designer
- furniture designer
- real estate sales representative
- designer
- shop designer
- exhibition designer
- restaurant designer
- interior consultant
- interior architect
- business and office planner
- event planner
- space planner
- lighting designer
- colour and materials specialist

RDI and cooperation with world of work

The studies are carried out in cooperation with companies. During the studies, you participate in a variety of projects, which include assignments related to the theme of the study module, in cooperation with your student colleagues and actors of the field.

You can complete your practical training and/or Bachelor’s thesis in different R&D projects or as part of cooperation with companies/organizations.

Your task may be conducting preliminary studies and carrying out assignments as part of an expert group. In the final stages of studies, you could participate in a module, which forms a part of RDI activities, focusing on relevant subject matters and themes.

In interior architecture, there is cooperation between different education fields in Xamk, but also with partner institutions and companies in Finland and abroad. There are also regional partner agreements with companies and specialists making use of design.

Learning environments

The Kouvola campus has design spaces suitable for a variety of design assignments and you'll acquire professionally relevant skills in digital design. You will have access to modern computer labs equipped with the visualisation, 3D modelling and documentation software needed in the profession.

The various learning environments include equipment for creating augmented reality virtual reality presentations, 3D scanning, 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machining and traditional wood, plastic and metal workshop machines. During your studies, you can turn your ideas into miniatures and prototypes, from concepts to final products.