Discover how Lebanon-based student Nader Soubra is developing his creative and professional practice through the MA Interior Design with Practice Management, while building an successful career.
Based in Lebanon, Nader Soubra has been steadily building a diverse career shaped by creativity, ambition and a strong interest in interior design. Alongside developing his professional experience, he has also established himself as an author, with his books reaching respected academic institutions including Harvard and Yale universities.
Looking to strengthen both his creative practice and his understanding of the business behind the industry, Nader chose to study the MA Interior Design with Practice Management with the National Design Academy. The course is helping him expand his design knowledge while developing the strategic and commercial skills needed to progress his career further.
Balancing postgraduate study with his existing professional and creative projects, Nader’s journey reflects the value of continuing to learn, evolve and explore new opportunities within the design industry.
Read on to discover more about Nader’s background, his experience studying the MA, the inspiration behind his books and where he hopes his career will take him next.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background before studying with the NDA?
My name is Nader Soubra, and I am a Lebanese interior designer, 3D visualizer, and author based in Lebanon. Creativity has always been at the center of everything I do. Over the years, I have worked on a wide range of projects, from residential and commercial interiors to branding, exhibitions, presentations, and architectural visualization for clients across the Middle East.
Alongside my design career, I discovered a passion for writing. What began as a personal challenge eventually grew into publishing books on design, architecture, and personal growth. Seeing my books reach readers around the world and be cataloged by institutions including Harvard, MIT, Yale, Columbia, RISD, SCAD, UCL, Princeton, the New York School of Interior Design, and the New York Public Library has been one of the proudest moments of my career.
Although I had already built a successful professional career, I strongly believe that learning never stops. I joined the National Design Academy because I wanted to deepen my knowledge, challenge my thinking, and continue growing as a designer. For me, the MA is not just about gaining another qualification. It is about becoming a better designer, developing fresh perspectives, and preparing myself for the future of the industry.
What first sparked your interest in interior design? Was it something you had always been drawn to?
My passion for design began when I was in Grade 9. I was always the student who loved to draw, sketch ideas, and imagine buildings that didn’t exist yet. From a young age, I knew architecture was my dream, and I was fascinated by how spaces could shape the way people live and feel.
I initially studied architecture for two years, but unfortunately, I had to step away due to health challenges. Although it was a difficult decision at the time, it led me to discover interior design at another university.
Looking back, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I quickly fell in love with the discipline, especially the creative process of transforming ideas into realistic 3D visualizations, the attention to detail, and the balance between functionality, aesthetics, and human experience.
Over the years, interior design has become much more than a profession. It has become part of who I am. Today, I have the privilege of combining my passion for design with my love for writing, while continuing to develop my knowledge through my Master’s at the National Design Academy. Being able to build a career around creativity while also pursuing postgraduate studies in the field I love truly feels like a dream come true.
What made you choose to study the MA Interior Design with the National Design Academy?
As someone who works on projects across different creative disciplines, flexibility was incredibly important to me. The National Design Academy offered exactly what I was looking for. The ability to study online while continuing my professional work allowed me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world projects.
The Academy’s strong reputation, positive student feedback, and specialist focus on interior design also gave me confidence that I was choosing the right place to continue my education. I wanted a program that would challenge me creatively while fitting around my career, and the MA offered the perfect balance.
On a lighter note, there was one funny coincidence that made me smile. My nickname has always been NAD, so when I first came across the National Design Academy (NDA), it almost felt like destiny.
I suppose you could say it was meant to be!
How have you found the experience of studying with the NDA so far? Has the flexibility of the course helped you balance your studies with your work, writing and other commitments?
My experience with the National Design Academy has been great. The course is well structured, the expectations are clear, and the flexibility has made it possible to balance my studies alongside working, writing books, and other professional commitments.
Being able to study at my own pace has been invaluable, especially when managing multiple creative projects at once. One of the biggest things I’ve gained from the MA is learning to look deeper into my work. Rather than simply creating designs that look good, I’ve developed a stronger understanding of the research, reasoning, and critical thinking behind every design decision.
It has also pushed me to become much better at presenting my work professionally, explaining my ideas with confidence, and communicating the story behind each project. Those are skills that have already had a positive impact on my career.
How have your tutors supported you throughout your MA journey so far?
I have been very fortunate to have Sarah Yazji as my tutor throughout my MA journey. She has been incredibly supportive, approachable, and generous with her time. Her feedback has always been constructive and detailed, encouraging me to think more critically about my work while helping me refine both my design concepts and presentations.
Her guidance has played an important role in my development as a designer. I was also honored to be one of the students nominated by Sarah to take part in the NDA Matrix assessment. It was a pleasure to contribute and share my experience as one of the participating students.
More recently, after I shared my latest professional milestones, including appearing on my first podcast and publishing two books, Sarah kindly suggested that I be considered for the Student Spotlight. I truly appreciated her confidence in me, and it means a great deal to know she thought my journey could inspire other students.
You have built an impressive creative profile through your podcast and published books. Can you tell us more about that work? What inspired you to start creating content and writing.
My writing journey began in January 2024, when I was 33 years old. It was a period of reflection, and I found myself asking what kind of legacy I wanted to leave behind. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that one of the most meaningful ways to share ideas and make a lasting impact was through writing a book.
My original plan was to write a memoir, but as I reflected on my career, another idea emerged naturally: The Future of Interior Design. It combined my passion for design with my curiosity about how technology, AI, and creativity are shaping the future of our profession.
Writing the book was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience, and it inspired me to continue writing. Since then, I have published books across both design and personal topics, each one allowing me to explore a different perspective and share it with readers around the world.
One of the most memorable moments came after publishing my third book, The Future of Architecture. Someone who had read the book reached out and invited me to be a guest on a podcast to discuss my work and creative journey. It was my first podcast appearance, and it felt like a very special milestone. It reminded me that sharing your ideas can create opportunities and meaningful connections that you never expect.
Your books have reached audiences across leading universities, including Harvard and Yale. How does it feel to know your work is being read, discussed or recognised internationally?
It honestly still feels surreal. If someone had told me a few years ago that my books would one day be cataloged by institutions such as Harvard and Yale, I would never have believed it.
What many people don’t see is the persistence behind it. Harvard was the first university to catalog one of my books, and it didn’t happen overnight. I spent around four months reaching out, following up, and believing in my work until they finally accepted it.
Once that first milestone happened, it gave me the confidence to keep going. The second book followed, and gradually more universities added my work to their collections.
For me, it has never been about collecting names. It’s about knowing that something I created in Lebanon has the opportunity to reach readers around the world. That feeling is incredibly humbling, and it motivates me to keep writing, keep improving, and continue doing the same with every book I publish in the future.
Has studying the MA changed the way you approach interior design? Are there any modules, projects or ideas from the course that have particularly challenged or inspired you?
Absolutely. Before starting the MA, I naturally focused on creating spaces that were visually appealing and functional. While those qualities remain important, the course has taught me to think much more deeply about the entire design process.
Every decision now has to be supported by research, user experience, material selection, sustainability, and a clear design rationale.
It has completely changed the way I approach projects. One module that had a particularly strong impact on me was Innovative Technology – Interior Design. It introduced me to advanced materials and encouraged me to push creative boundaries instead of relying on conventional solutions.
For my project, I designed a Lamborghini showroom, which had always been a dream of mine. Applying what I had learned throughout the module allowed me to experiment with innovative materials and create a concept that was far bolder than anything I would have attempted before. It became one of my favorite projects because it perfectly combined creativity, technology, and forward-thinking design.
What advice would you give to other international students who are thinking about studying interior design online? Is there anything you wish you had known before starting?
My advice would be to first understand exactly what you want to achieve from your studies. Take the time to research different universities, compare their programs, reputation, teaching approach, and flexibility, and choose the one that best aligns with your goals.
A Master’s is a significant commitment, so finding the right fit is just as important as the qualification itself. I also believe it’s important to choose an institution that genuinely cares about its students. Academic quality is essential, but so are the people behind it.
Looking back, I honestly don’t think I would have started my MA at the National Design Academy without the kindness and understanding of Andrea Bedworth-Cook.
She took the time to understand my personal circumstances, both financially and as someone living in Lebanon, and her encouragement gave me the confidence to begin this journey. That level of compassion made a lasting impression on me and reminded me that education is about people as much as it is about learning.
Finally, what's one thing you've learnt throughout your career.
One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that success rarely follows a straight path. Today, I work across several creative disciplines. Alongside building my own personal brand through NAD Design & Render and NAD Publishing, I’ve had the opportunity to work with international clients and organizations, including serving as a Creative Director for HP on seasonal projects and as a Senior Design Lead for Mexstur in Saudi Arabia, where I worked on branding, events, exhibitions, and creative experiences.
At the same time, I continue to work independently as an interior designer, 3D visualization specialist, and author. Balancing all of these roles has taught me to be adaptable.
Some opportunities come unexpectedly, others take years of persistence. There are always highs and lows, but I’ve learned that every experience teaches you something valuable. The key is to stay curious, keep learning, and never stop improving your craft.
Thank you to Nader for submitting his student spotlight! You can find all his books and social media by clicking below to find his Linktree!
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