The Faculty of Interior Design of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.
Tradition of the present-day Faculty of Interior Design dates back to 1905, when the Chair of Applied Arts was established at the Warsaw School of Fine Arts. Since that time, with an exception of the Second World War period, we have continued teaching, artistic and research activities. Due to numerous mergers and divisions we have operated under several different names, „interior design”, however, has appeared there already in the early 1920s.
Interior design is a discipline that integrates elements of art, humanities, science and technology. It has always been acknowledged during development of curricula and the course of studies. The Faculty of Interior Design has always cared for prime quality education to equip its graduates with necessary professional designer skills. Until recently, only one-cycle master programmes were offered. Now, under the so-called European Qualifications Framework, studies are conducted in intra- and extramural programmes on two levels in accordance with European standards: the so-called level 6 qualification first-cycle or Bachelor’s degree studies and level 7 qualification second-cycle or Master’s degree studies.
Intramural studies are free and extramural studies, designed in the first place for active professionals, are paid. Although the Faculty has not conducted doctoral degree studies in a formalised manner, we are authorised to supervise doctoral programmes.
The first-cycle intramural studies programme lasts three years (six semesters) and is concluded with a professional diploma of Bachelor of Fine Arts. Extramural first-cycle studies programme lasts three and a half years (seven semesters) and is concluded with a professional diploma of Bachelor of Fine Arts.
First-cycle studies provide basic background for the profession of interior designer.
They enable further studies and professional development. They equip graduates with necessary basics of professional training while considering both creative and ethical aspects of design work. A graduate of the first-cycle studies is fully equipped artistically and technically to perform independent work, and their familiarity with specialised skill is appropriate. They can work alone or in a team. They should be familiar with specialist language associated with interior design.
The second-cycle intra- and extramural programmes majoring in interior design last two years (four semesters) and are concluded with an advanced professional degree of Master of Fine Arts.
Master’s programmes foster creative and ethical attitude, and prepare for the profession of interior designer. They enable further studies (third-cycle) and professional development.
A graduate of the second-cycle studies obtains advanced knowledge and skills in the field of interior design. They are capable of solving a variety of complex design tasks. Having obtained high-level artistic, professional and technical qualifications, they are fully prepared for design work in the field of interior design. This applies to both independent professional work as well as working in design and interdisciplinary teams.
A graduate can also undertake research in the field of art, and organisational activities aimed at dissemination of cultural values. They are comprehensively prepared for creative work in Poland and entire European Union. A diploma from the Faculty of Interior Design entitles to application for active membership in professional bodies and associations for interior designers.
Qualifications of a graduate of the Interior Design major depend on the pre-selected specialisation. In the case of the first-cycle studies, they include interior design and exhibition design, for the second-cycle studies there is interior design, exhibition design and furniture design.
The main focus at the Faculty is broadly understood design of space. We strive to seek balance between objectives of a project, visual measures applied, and functional and technical solutions in order to reach relevant results.
The curriculum of the Faculty of Interior Design has been focused on transmission of complex, interdisciplinary knowledge and development of technical skills necessary in the profession of interior designer. Students become acquainted with complexity of issues relevant for a designer who deals with interiors, furniture and exhibitions. We strive to individualise design tasks, so that creative development of each student is enabled. At the same time, we highlight importance of teamwork. We make sure that alongside observance of the historical achievements we show contemporary design trends, and opportunities provided by technology and materials.
Design projects are executed using a variety of means of expression, from traditional ones to digital and multimedia tools. An important part of the training is to raise awareness of the classical relationship between interior design and other art disciplines.
An important feature distinguishing our Faculty is general visual arts education conducted in parallel to design studies. It is continued from the first semester until the Master’s degree diploma.