MA Interior Design Innovation

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge Campus

Program Overview

The MA Interior Design Innovation at Anglia Ruskin University is perfect for creative thinkers who want to reimagine how we experience and inhabit spaces. It’s designed for students who are curious, ambitious, and passionate about tackling social, environmental, and wellbeing challenges through interiors, giving you the skills to design spaces that truly make a difference.

Curriculum Structure

Exploring Future & Smart Cities

You’ll start by looking at interiors in the context of future cities — from housing and hospitality to transport and public spaces. This module encourages you to think big, exploring how spatial experiences can respond to changing urban lifestyles and emerging technologies.

Design Ethics

Here, you’ll examine the ethical impact of design decisions. You’ll learn to consider people, communities, and the planet, balancing creativity with responsibility — a vital skill for any forward-thinking interior designer.

Design Practices

Through Design Practices, you’ll experiment with prototypes, circular systems, and speculative interiors. This hands-on module allows you to test ideas and develop practical solutions while pushing the boundaries of traditional interior design.

Major Project

Finally, the Major Project lets you take the lead, creating a self-directed, future-focused design proposal. You’ll combine research, ethical considerations, and innovation to deliver a project that is both imaginative and feasible — a portfolio piece that stands out to employers or for further study.

Focus areas: “speculative spatial design, wellbeing through interiors, smart cities, design ethics, systemic innovation”

Learning outcomes: “develop critical and entrepreneurial design thinking; engage with ethical and social issues in spatial design; prototype future-oriented interior systems; and lead research-driven design projects”

Professional alignment (accreditation): The course is not formally accredited but closely mirrors the skills and practice needed for leadership and innovation in interior design.

Reputation (employability / rankings): Anglia Ruskin University is recognized for innovative design teaching, with the program led by Dr Idrees Rasouli, an expert in socially conscious and future-focused interiors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Anglia Ruskin University, the MA Interior Design Innovation isn’t just about theory — it’s about doing, making, and experimenting. From your first day, you’ll be working in studios and workshops where you can turn ideas into real, tangible designs, whether through models, prototypes, or digital simulations. The course encourages collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, giving you hands-on experience that mirrors real-world design practice.

Here’s how you’ll bring your designs to life:

Futures Lab & Digital Manufacturing: Access 3D printers, scanners, laser cutters, and other advanced equipment to create innovative, forward-thinking prototypes.
Workshops for Wood, Metal, Plastics, and Clay: Experiment with physical materials to test and refine your spatial ideas.
Printmaking Studio: Explore etching, screen-printing, and lithography to incorporate texture, pattern, and material storytelling into your designs.
Digital Design Labs: Work with Macs and PCs loaded with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite for modeling, visualization, and presentation.
Photography & Media Facilities: Capture, edit, and present your work using professional photography, video editing, and printing equipment.
Life Drawing Studio: Sharpen your ability to represent form, space, and human scale through sketching and drawing exercises.
Ruskin Gallery: Showcase your projects in a professional gallery environment, gaining valuable feedback and exposure.
Personal & Professional Development Support: Use ARU’s Employability Service and Personal Development Planning tools to reflect on your progress, build your portfolio, and prepare for your future career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from ARU’s MA Interior Design Innovation opens the door to an exciting variety of creative careers. Many students go on to become Spatial or Architectural Designers, Wellbeing or Healthcare Designers, Immersive Experience Designers, or Circularity and Systems Strategists. With a focus on forward-thinking, ethical, and socially conscious design, you’ll leave ready to make a real impact in both traditional design studios and innovative new sectors.

Here’s how ARU supports you in turning your skills into a successful career:

Tailored Career Support: ARU’s Careers and Employability Service offers one-on-one advice, portfolio and CV reviews, interview coaching, and access to internships and graduate schemes via the Handshake platform.
Personal Development Planning (PDP): Track your skills, progress, and achievements throughout your studies, and translate them into tangible outcomes that employers value.
Real-World Learning: The course includes live projects and guest lectures from industry experts, giving you hands-on experience and insight into the evolving role of designers.
Industry-Relevant Skills: You’ll graduate ready for roles in immersive design, sustainable interiors, urban interventions, or social regeneration projects — all reflecting ARU’s emphasis on innovation and impact.
Long-Term Career Value: The leadership, critical thinking, and ethical design approach you develop will set you apart in a competitive design industry.
Alumni Support: After graduation, ARU’s Alumni Hub keeps you connected with career guidance, networking opportunities, and continued professional development.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re passionate about pushing your design thinking further, this MA provides a strong foundation for PhD or MPhil study in design, spatial innovation, or systems-focused research — giving you the chance to build a specialist or academic career.