Discover how Jorge is building a future in interior design with the National Design Academy, using his creative background and passion for design to shape his next career steps.
Originally from Spain, Jorge’s journey into interior design has been driven by a passion for creativity and a desire to develop his skills within the industry. Wanting a flexible way to study while working towards his long-term goals, he chose to begin his journey with the National Design Academy’s Diploma in Interior Design.
Throughout the course, Jorge developed both his technical knowledge and creative confidence, exploring different aspects of interior design while refining his own personal style and interests. Studying online also allowed him to balance learning alongside everyday life, giving him the freedom to progress at his own pace.
Now looking ahead to the future, Jorge is focused on continuing to grow within the design industry and exploring where his creativity can take him next.
Read on to learn more about Jorge’s background, his experience studying with the NDA, and his ambitions for the future of his design career.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what you were doing before joining the National Design Academy?
Originally from Spain, I always held a long-term dream of moving to the UK. In 2017, I managed to make that a reality, relocating here to build a life and establish myself alongside my husband.
My connection to structure and spaces runs deep and goes back to my roots; my father was a bricklayer and I grew up in a humble family. Living with five people in a very small house was where my design instinct truly began.
From a young age, I found myself developing creative ideas to ensure that, despite our tight space and limited resources, our home could feel beautiful, harmonious, and pleasant for everyone.
Because I started working very young, I couldn’t initially pursue interior design, which was my true dream. Instead, my career developed within administration and management for major corporations, banks, and local government—focusing on helping others, which I believe is the essence of any meaningful role.
However, my creative passion never faded. Years later, while living in rented properties in London, I put those early instincts to the test again.
Through a process of trial and error, I constantly experimented with different materials and layout techniques to overcome tight budgets and the rigid limitations of city rentals.
I fell in love with the challenge of transforming places that felt small and neglected into a genuinely cozy haven—somewhere that offered a beautiful, comforting embrace after a long day of hard work.
What first sparked your interest in interior design?
My interest in interior design stems from my roots. Growing up in a humble family, with five of us sharing a very small house, I naturally developed a creative instinct early on. Out of pure love for my family,
I was always looking for resourceful ways to make our tight space feel beautiful, harmonious, and pleasant with the limited resources we had.
On top of that, my father was a bricklayer, so I was practically raised around construction sites and raw materials, which gave me a very bold, practical understanding of structures from a young age.
As I grew older, that fascination evolved, but the definitive spark—the exact moment I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to this—came after the pandemic, when my husband and I decided to move to Scotland to finally buy a house we could truly call our own.
We went to view dozens of properties, and I noticed something incredible happening every time I walked into an empty space. I possessed an innate, completely natural ability to instantly visualize the perfect layout for each room.
My mind would immediately map out where everything should go, what would work, what wouldn’t, and how different furniture sizes would fit. It was a massive revelation:
I discovered that over the years, I had developed a sort of natural scanner in my brain. Knowing I had this intuitive gift to completely transform an empty house and give it a whole new life was the true turning point that inspired me to pursue design professionally.
What made you decide to go and study interior design with the National Design Academy?
Ever since I arrived in the UK, the National Design Academy had always been a benchmark for me. I truly believe it is the most comprehensive institution for anyone wanting to dedicate their life to interior design, offering countless opportunities for professional development and a genuine care for each student’s education.
The turning point to finally enroll came during a brief break from work. I was in a period of transition—getting ready to get married, focusing on some personal medical check-ups, and spending a lot of time renovating our home.
For the first time, I had the space to reflect on what I truly wanted. For years, I had been completely self-taught, driven by passion, but because I started working so young, I never had the chance to pause and study.
Now, nearing my 30s, going back to a traditional classroom full-time wasn’t the option that best suited me at that moment.
That was when I discovered the NDA’s Fast-Track National Diploma. It was the perfect match. The online modality offered the absolute flexibility I needed to balance my life and focus on multiple priorities at once.
The prestige of the academy, combined with this flexibility, convinced me to finally give myself the chance to ground my creative instincts. I wanted to turn my abstract ideas into something tangible—to put real numbers, technical structure, and professional depth to what had only been a hobby.
Choosing the Fast-Track programme with the NDA was, without a doubt, the best decision to begin this new chapter.
What was your experience like studying the National Diploma in Interior Design?
Studying the diploma was an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience. Especially with my background, it didn’t feel like just learning theory; it was an intense journey for me that pushed me out of my comfort zone in a very positive way.
What I loved most was seeing my abstract ideas and creative instincts evolve into structured, professional design proposals.
The course taught me that design is a beautiful balance between aesthetics and technical rules.
I learned how to think critically about lighting, technical drawing, materials, and spatial planning, ensuring that every choice I made had a purpose and a solid ‘why’ behind it.
Balancing the intensive curriculum with my other daily priorities was definitely a challenge, but seeing the final renders and concepts of my projects come to life gave me an immense sense of pride.
It made me realize how much I had grown, not just as a student, but as someone who now possesses the real tools and technical confidence to transform any space professionally.”
Did studying online bring any unique experiences or challenges?
Studying online definitely brought a unique mix of freedom and intense responsibility. The biggest challenge was, without a doubt, time management and self-discipline. When you study online, you have to become your own project manager, balancing a demanding daily life while maintaining the high standards required by the academy.
However, navigating this journey was made so much brighter thanks to the incredible team at the NDA. The tutors, and especially Marc Hagerty, were remarkably flexible and truly understood the fast-paced world we live in. It was deeply comforting to know that while they expected our work to be delivered with absolute precision, there was always a profound level of flexibility, understanding, and constant support on their part.
This unique combination of high expectations and human empathy turned the challenge into a rewarding experience. Online learning allowed me to dive into my projects during my peak creative hours and develop a high level of autonomy. It didn’t just teach me interior design; it gave me the technical confidence and organizational skills to manage real-world projects from start to finish.
How did the course help develop your skills or confidence as a designer?
The course was fundamental in bridging the gap between my natural intuition and professional expertise. It completely elevated both my technical skills and my confidence.
In this process, working closely alongside my tutor was absolutely essential. Their guidance helped me pinpoint exactly which areas needed more focus and refinement. But beyond the technicalities, this collaborative relationship taught me something invaluable: to trust and embrace my own design criteria and decisions.
Learning how to translate my vision into technical plans, mood boards, and detailed layouts gave me the confidence to stand firmly behind my choices.
Furthermore, diving deep into technical measurements, project management, lighting design, and the legal processes required within a project was a true game-changer for me.
Gaining a solid grasp of these complex regulations and technicalities has provided me with powerful tools and a much broader, global picture. It has given me a comprehensive understanding of everything it truly takes to step up and successfully take charge of a real-world project from beginning to end.
Was there a particular part of the project or diploma that you enjoyed the most?
The part I enjoyed the most was undoubtedly the final design project. It was the moment where everything clicked, and I was able to bring together all the pieces of my journey. For the first time, I wasn’t just doing things by instinct; I was applying real technical skills to a comprehensive design.
I absolutely loved the process of developing the space planning and creating the technical lighting layouts. It gave me a unique opportunity to revisit, recycle, and refine earlier ideas that perhaps hadn’t been applied in the best way before.
I was able to turn them around, pour intense focus into the finest details, and truly push my mind to the absolute limit to find the perfect solutions.
There was an immense satisfaction not just in seeing the finished result, but in genuinely enjoying every single change, every creative decision, and every breakthrough along the way.
Crafting a cohesive final project that met absolutely all the client’s requirements and rigid limitations, while firmly protecting my own signature style and imprint, gave me an incredible rush of adrenaline. It made me realize that this is exactly what I am meant to do.
How would you describe your personal design style or creative influences?
I would describe my personal style as a thoughtful balance between functional honesty and a refined, fluid elegance. Being an androgynous person myself, I have discovered that my designs naturally reflect this duality.
I have learned to find a beautiful balance and a sense of peace precisely through the tension between elements. I love playing with materials typically associated with masculine and feminine energies—softening rustic or industrial features with delicate textures, or conversely, introducing a hard, solid material to create a powerful contrast against softer elements.
My philosophy is deeply rooted in finding the sweet spot between high quality and true affordability. I believe in creating timeless spaces that stand the test of time, rather than just chasing passing trends or repeating what has already been done. My focus is on resilient, high-quality finishes designed for everyday living.
Ultimately, I design practical solutions for real people. I want my clients to step into their homes after a long day of hard work and feel instantly comforted, rewarded, and embraced by a space that allows them to unwind and relax with genuine style.
What are your goals for the future and where do you see your career heading next?
Having recently completed my National Diploma, I am currently working in the banking sector, but this educational journey has opened an exciting new door for me. It has made me realize, with absolute certainty, that interior design is exactly what I am meant to be doing.
My immediate goal is to keep building on this foundation. I have every intention of continuing my professional training with the NDA, as I believe constant development is key.
In parallel, I am open to opportunities as an Interior Design Assistant, a role where I can gain hands-on experience within the industry and combine my strong background in project coordination and customer service with my new technical design skills.
Ultimately, I want to grow into a well-rounded professional, using my unique perspective to help real people transform their houses into beautiful, timeless sanctuaries. I am ready to absorb everything the industry has to teach me and truly make my mark.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying interior design with the NDA?
My main advice would be to keep an open mind and be ready to surprise yourself with new ways of approaching a project. The beauty of this journey is watching your own creative instincts evolve into structured, professional designs that you never thought you could create.
Embrace every stage of the learning process and don’t be afraid to experiment. It is incredibly rewarding to see how much you grow from one module to the next as you discover the technical tools that bring your vision to life.
Lastly, remember that while you build your own independence, the tutors are always there to support you whenever you need it. Knowing you have that reliable guidance and understanding is invaluable for helping you find your focus and, most importantly, teaching you to trust and stand firmly behind your own design criteria. Enjoy every single creative breakthrough
Thank you to Jorge for submitting his student spotlight! You can find his instagram where he posts all things interior and architecture by clicking the button below.
Explore our AI for Interior Design Course🎉
Thinking about upskilling in interior design? Discover our flexible, accredited AI for Interior Design course and start elevating your future in the design industry.
