Spatial and Interior Design

Spatial and interior design is an expanding field for creatives who want to transform the spaces we live, work and socialise in.

Whether shaping retail environments, designing experiences for festivals and events, or pioneering co-living concepts and virtual landscapes - spatial and interior design will give you the skills to bring your visions to life.

In our creative studio environment, you'll collaborate with students in architecture, graphic design, film, media, and drama - expanding your perspective and developing your creative process.

You will learn through digital tools, hands-on making, and critical enquiry, gaining experience in 2D, 3D, and 4D (time-based media), as well as emerging technologies like AI.

The course integrates theory, design history, and critical reflection to help you develop an informed, thoughtful, and original approach to spatial design practice.

Through live projects with industry partners, research-led practice, and collaboration with other creatives and experts, you’ll develop a distinctive creative voice and a portfolio that sets you apart in the job market.

Year 2

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations:

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Adaptive Design

  In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, the ability to adapt existing buildings to new uses is more crucial than ever. This module takes a deep dive into major adaptation strategies in interior architecture and design, equipping you to address the fundamental challenge of reimagining existing spaces. You will be introduced to various adaptation strategies and assigned to focus on one, conducting thorough analyses of relevant precedents to gain nuanced insights. Throughout the course, you will share your findings with your peers, creating a rich pool of reference material to inform your project. You'll engage deeply with the history, theory, and broader context of your discipline, while also delving into specialised areas such as lighting and furniture layouts.

• Critical History

  Immerse yourself in the history and theory of your discipline, examining its conventions, social context, and broader cultural implications. By delving into these contexts, you'll enhance your studio practice with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping it.

• Design Intervention: Research and Exploration

  Following the previous design module focused on adaptation, this module introduces additional complexity by involving the reuse of a historic building. Located in the historic city of Canterbury, our university draws on its deep expertise in researching historic buildings.

  Here, you'll dive deeper into site-specific research and experimentation, setting the stage for your future design projects. Throughout the course, you'll work closely with real clients, applying your growing understanding of historical contexts and the challenges of blending new designs with old structures. This preparation phase is essential for developing innovative, sustainable solutions that respect historical integrity while meeting modern needs. The practical design project is shaped by lectures, seminars, tutorials, and your research, addressing technical, environmental, ergonomic, regulatory, historical, and theoretical aspects of architectural adaptation.

• Building Technology, Light and Material

  To turn your design dreams into reality, it's essential to have a solid foundation in construction. Through an in-depth examination of interior building construction materials and systems, this course develops your understanding of the diverse constructed assemblies that collectively form complete buildings, encompassing both structural and non-structural elements.

• Design Intervention: Design Implication

  Building on the solid foundation from previous modules, the Design Intervention module takes your skills to new heights. With a comprehensive understanding of historical contexts and materials from previous coursework, you'll push your design concepts further, using smart materials and the cutting-edge construction techniques you learnt during Term 2.

• Career Paths

  Beyond the new career paths available to you as an interior designer, new avenues are constantly emerging to be explored. In this module, led by seasoned industry experts, you'll embark on an enlightening journey through various interior design career paths. You'll explore both emerging opportunities and traditional paths, gaining invaluable insights into diverse trajectories through captivating lectures. Delve into the intricacies of current legislation governing interior design and construction practices, from Building Regulations to fire safety and sustainability considerations.

Please see the course page on our website for full module details.

Year 3

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations:

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• The Big Project (Research)

  Completing a major project is crucial to securing your future in the competitive field of interior design, whether you choose to pursue professional employment or advanced studies. The ‘Big Project’ module, which unfolds over the autumn, spring, and summer terms, synthesises all the knowledge and skills you have acquired during your studies.

  Starting with research based on your interests, you’ll tailor your project to meet professional standards and your own creative vision. During the autumn term, you’ll explore experimental spatial practices to develop an abstract model which serves as a foundation for your design development in the next term. This term concludes with you producing a concept video that articulates your design statement and documentation of your experimentation, paving the way for the next phase of your design journey.

• Interior Futures: Immersive Technologies

  New technologies are continuously reshaping out experiences in both physical and virtual spaces. The 'Interior Futures' module provides a deep dive into the innovative intersection of design and technology.

  You’ll explore Interactive Systems, Smart Materials, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR), analysing their transformative effects on user experience and interior spaces. Through engaging lectures, which include insights from industry experts and guest lecturers, you'll understand how these innovations push the boundaries of creativity and enable the production of dynamic environments. You'll also lead seminars focused on your specific areas of interest and present your research findings to the class. The key component of your assessment will be an illustrated essay on your research area, which will also feed into your subsequent design module.

• The Big Project (Experimentation)

  Building on the foundation of your previous research and experimentation aligned with your personal interests, the second term's Big Project (Experimentation) propels your ideas into deeper exploration through innovative and immersive technologies studied in Big Project (Research).

• Thesis Research

  This module acts as a critical complement to THE BIG PROJECT, deepening your engagement with specialised topics that resonate within the contemporary Interior and Spatial Design landscape.

  You'll explore key themes and the cultural and theoretical contexts relevant to your project through a series of lectures that connect historical and theoretical perspectives to modern practice, complemented by tailored seminars led by your designated tutor.

• The Big Project (Capstone)

  Building on the foundation of your previous research and experimentation aligned with your personal interests, the second term's 'Big Project (Experimentation)' propels your ideas into deeper exploration through innovative and immersive technologies studied earlier in the course. You will apply new media and animation tools to develop immersive concepts, testing them on an actual site that you have selected. By analysing the site at both micro and macro levels, you'll investigate its potential to embody and enhance your design concepts and speculate on new possibilities that emerge from applying your conceptual model developed in the first term.

• Dissertation

  As you near the end of your student journey and prepare to enter the dynamic world of interior design, this module offers an essential bridge between your academic achievements and professional ambitions. You will be equipped with essential skills to launch and manage a design-related business, covering key areas like business planning, branding, client relations, and marketplace strategies.

Please see the course page on our website for full module details.

Year Abroad (optional)

Go Abroad

Taking a year abroad – whether you study at one of our prestigious partner universities or do an internship – is an amazing opportunity. This can be added during your studies.

Any questions? We have the answers!

Is there any additional funding for the year abroad? You may be able to apply for funding; check with our Go abroad team.

Do I have to pay tuition fees for the year abroad? Yes, you’ll pay a substantially reduced fee. Fees for the current year (subject to changes) can be found on our tuition fees website. You don’t pay anything to the host uni.

Will I still get my maintenance loan? Yes.

When does the year abroad take place? Between your second and final year.

Do I have to learn a foreign language? You’re taught in English in many destinations, but you’ll get more out of your year if you learn the local language.

Does the University keep in touch? You have full access to all Kent’s support services as well as our dedicated Go abroad team.

Year 1

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Design Formation

  Design is an exciting journey, full of exploration and creativity. In this module, you'll dive deep into the iterative design process, gaining valuable insights into how ideas take shape. Through hands-on activities, you'll adopt a bottom-up approach, creating a small-scale artefact in a spatial setting that challenges traditional norms, all proposed for the campus.

• Fundamentals and Visual Communication

  How do you feel when you step into a room or any other space? Fundamental elements like colour, material, lighting, furniture, textures and form shape your experience. In this module, you’ll explore key interior design elements through weekly lectures intertwined with historical insights.

  Each week, you’ll focus on one element, identifying that element in the precedents you study and presenting your discoveries to the class. You’ll participate in an iterative design process, showcasing progression in exercises informed by your collective precedent studies. Throughout the module, you’ll receive tutorials on photography and image-editing software.

• Responsive Design

  How do contextual parameters influence what we design? In this module, you’ll uncover the significant impact of context on architectural and interior design, equipping you to make informed decisions that resonate with your surroundings.

  You'll delve into crafting a temporary installation for the vibrant city of Canterbury, engaging in detailed site visits to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. By employing analytical tools such as hand sketching, mapping, and diagramming, you’ll analyse and refine your design process. Weekly group discussions and individual tasks in the studio will deepen your understanding and allow for the sharing of ideas. You’ll also learn to produce orthographic drawings, crucial for effective communication in the design field.

• Digital Experimentation

  Digital tools are an essential part of any designer's toolkit, offering new possibilities and preparing you to excel in real-world professional environments after graduation.

  You’ll dive into digital modelling early on, learning basic rendering skills to effectively visualise and communicate your design ideas. You'll explore key interior elements, such as modern furniture, focusing on their geometric and material qualities, and you'll be tasked with designing your own pieces inspired by these examples. Using accessible 3D digital modelling tools, you’ll engage in hands-on design exercises from the start, enhancing your technical prowess.

• Sustainable Design

  The designs we create significantly influence the communities and environments we inhabit. This module unveils the intricate relationship between ethical considerations and design decisions, emphasising sustainability's essential role in crafting environmentally conscious and socially responsible spaces.

  You’ll explore these concepts through lectures and seminars introducing the theoretical underpinnings of ethics and sustainability and engaging you in discussions about case studies and current events that highlight sustainable practices in the design world.

• Time Based Media and Representation

  Digital visualisation is pivotal to interior design. It effectively conveys ideas, while the rapid growth of virtual environments creates new opportunities. In this module, you will start with the basics of digital visualisation, learning to use AI generative tools and principles through weekly tutorials and exercises.

Please see the course page on our website for full module details.