From CAD Technician to Course Lead
When Olivia Godfrey enrolled on the Online BA (Hons) Heritage Interior Design Top -Up with the National Design Academy, she was working full-time as a CAD technician and soon to become a first-time mum. Despite the challenges, she completed her final project at 36 weeks pregnant, graduated with her baby in her arms, and hasn’t looked back since. Her journey has taken her from student to teacher, from graduate to mother of two; and now back to NDA to pursue her MA in Interior Design with Practice Management.
Today, Olivia is the Course Lead for HND Interior Design at the very college where she began her design journey. She’s since completed teaching and fellowship qualifications, become a mother of two, and is now preparing to return to NDA to pursue her MA in Interior Design with Practice Management. Her story is a testament to resilience, ambition, lifelong learning, and proof that you can study interior design online while working and raising a family. best online course best online degree
A Full-Circle Journey: From Student to Educator
Hi, I’m Liv,
I studied with the National Design Academy in 2020–2021. I gained my qualification by embarking on the BA (Hons) Top-Up in Heritage Interior Design, one of the most flexible online interior design degree UK options, while working as a CAD technician for a structural engineering firm during the pandemic.
While in my final year, I fell pregnant with my first son and thought it wasn’t going to be achievable. But with the ongoing support from the staff at the NDA, I managed to hand in my final submission and secure my grades at 36 weeks pregnant.
Nothing was too much trouble for the staff at the NDA, and in November 2021, with my 4-month-old by my side, I graduated from De Montfort University with a BA Honours in Heritage Design.
In December 2022, I secured a sessional lecturing role for BTEC Level 3 Interior Design at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College. This is where I began my studies, so I went completely full circle. In July 2023, I was appointed the Course Lead Academic Co-ordinator for the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Interior Design (Level 4 & 5) — a vocational qualification that’s equivalent to the first two years of a university degree and focused on practical, career-ready skills.
In 2024 I became a mummy of two and decided to undertake a specialist qualification from Coventry University. In July 2024 I applied for my AFHEA. AFHEA is a professional recognition for educators and staff in higher education who demonstrate effective teaching and support for student learning.
As of June 2025, I am now a fully qualified teacher for post-16, and I want to learn more. With that being said, I have decided in 2025/2026 to come back to the NDA to study the MA in Interior Design with Practice Management and I can’t wait for the journey.
Finding a Passion for Heritage Design
What made you choose the Heritage Interior Design Top-Up course specifically?
I have always had a keen interest in History. At A Level and HND level we did a unit on “Contextual” which really inspired me. Specifically in interiors and architecture. As part of my end of year showcase in my HND I redesigned a thatched museum which was where the bug for heritage design spanned from.
My final showcase at the NDA was to redesign a Victorian water tower into a historical information hub for the town of Hinckley in Leicestershire. This included, viewing gallery, interactive activities, the water cycle and the way the water tower was used. Along with means for accessibility all within keeping to the strains and challenges of working with a heritage building.
I loved the investigation into working respectfully with listed buildings. Almost every weekend I am now dragging my family around a National Trust property so I can just bask in the beauty that heritage properties have to offer
From Student to Teacher
How has your time at NDA helped shape your teaching career?
So, my teaching career wasn’t really influenced by anything as such, it actually fell into my lap in 2022. I never imagined I would teach. Before this I worked at a beam and block flooring company in Warwickshire, a high-end bespoke joinery company in South Leicestershire and a structural engineering firm here in Hinckley.
However, I always looked on the tutors with extreme passion for what they did by inspiring others with the knowledge they had picked up over the years. I now understand that it is a really tough job but a rewarding one too. I am really thankful for the time they spent with me as a student even though it was remote learning. That flexible online interior design course experience now informs how I support my own students.
Why I'm Coming Back to Study More
You mentioned coming back for the Online MA, what are you most looking forward to about it?
The reason I want to come back to complete my MA… Is because I love a challenge. I can’t really explain it but I think I want to do it for my own development.
My mum got her degree alongside looking after me and my brother and sister when she was 50 and she proved to us that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. That was 10 years ago. Fast forward and I am doing exactly the same thing, proving to my two little boys that they can do anything as long as they put their mind to it.
Of course, they are under 5 at this current moment and probably won’t understand a lot but the moment they see a photo of me, and they are stood by me, we can talk about those challenges and why it is important to go for something you love.
Although teaching is incredible and I don’t see myself leaving for a very long time, the thought of running my own practice does excite me. I have watched my father (Structural engineer) build his business from the ground up and I have never been prouder to see someone so enthusiastic about what they do and the pure passion for running his own company… that is one hardworking man.
I aspire to be like him. I believe that this postgraduate interior design with practice management module will help me to see that there’s more to interiors than just the designing.
Real Talk: Studying While Parenting
So, I am trying not to be bias, but I currently work with 18+ students who may have come from our in-house level 3 course here at college or for mature students who want to retrain. However, I can give the perspective of both.
I have sat where they have been, I have faced similar challenges. I can sympathise. Which I think sets up a really positive environment. If you can’t come in because of childcare, just communicate, there are avenues around it. You’ve got to work to pay the mortgage today… That’s ok check in with me later.
This kind of flexibility that the NDA gave me, I implement to a degree with my students.
But the advice I would give to someone, you are a long time in work doing something you don’t enjoy, so live to the fullest, change career, don’t look back. You won’t regret it. I think you know where your calling truly lies.
I had a terrible wobble in 2017. Going to university fulltime was a complete mistake. When I came back I decided to go and get a job, one that didn’t have many creative options, one that seemed stable with no risks. It was a dental nursing job, no correlation to interiors whatsoever! I did two days of shadowing and almost mourned the fact I may be leaving interiors altogether.
This is when I knew it wasn’t for me, and it was interiors all the way. I threw my heart and soul into it and was even more passionate when my children came along. Since becoming a mum of two not only have I finished my degree, I’ve completed an associate fellowship qualification for higher education and a degree in teaching for post 16, which I will graduate next January with my two children by my side.
Start Your Heritage Design Journey With Us
Inspired by Olivia’s story?
Explore our flexible BA (Hons) Heritage Interior Design Top-Up programme. Perfect for career changers, working parents, or anyone passionate about historic interiors. Find out how you can shape your future with a flexible online interior design course designed to work around your lifestyle.
