Student Spotlight: Rae Vee Salido, AI for Interior Design

Read how NDA’s AI for Interior Design Course helped a new mum stay creative, upskill from home, and transform her design workflow.

Welcoming her first baby earlier this year was a beautiful new chapter, but it didn’t dampen her drive to keep learning, creating, and staying ahead in an industry rapidly being reshaped by technology. When the opportunity to join the very first pilot of NDA’s AI for Interior Designers course arrived in her inbox, she immediately recognised it as a chance to explore how AI is transforming interior design, from faster concept development to innovative visualisation tools.

With interior designers increasingly searching for ways to use AI to streamline their workflow, improve rendering speed, and boost creativity, she felt driven to future-proof her skills while balancing life at home with a newborn. What followed was a complete shift in how she works, thinks, and designs  proving that learning AI isn’t just a trend, but a vital evolution in modern design practice.

Read her story below and explore examples of her work from the course.

Rae Vee Salido
What made you decide to learn AI for Interior Design

Earlier this year, I welcomed my first baby, which meant taking a break from work and focusing on motherhood. But even with such a big life change, I didn’t want to pause my learning. Interior design has always been a passion, so I kept searching for ways to grow my skills while at home.

When I received an email about the pilot course AI for Interior Designers, it instantly caught my attention. AI is transforming creative industries, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity to stay updated and future-ready. The idea of learning how AI could elevate the design process felt both exciting and essential, so I enrolled without hesitation.

render combining two images using AI
What were your expectations about using AI in interior design before starting the course?

Going into the course, I expected AI to significantly improve the speed and efficiency of concept development. I also felt that staying informed about AI tools would be a huge advantage, especially as the industry evolves. I wanted to understand how AI could support designers and this course promised exactly that.

How did you find the learning experience as part of the first AI for Interior Designers pilot cohort?

 Being part of the very first pilot cohort felt like an exciting opportunity. The learning experience was engaging, inspiring, and full of fresh insights. Each lesson revealed new ways to integrate AI into the design workflow, and I enjoyed exploring the capabilities of each tool. It showed me that AI has so much potential within interior design, and when used well, it becomes a powerful extension of our creativity.

What AI design tools or techniques did you find most valuable during the course?

The Sketch Rendering tool was the biggest game-changer for me. 3D rendering used to be the part of the process I struggled with the most—it took so much time and often felt overwhelming. With Sketch Rendering, all I need to do is upload a basic sketch, add my prompt and references, and within seconds, I have beautifully rendered images.

What I love most is the ability to instantly switch between styles, materials, and atmospheres. It allows me to explore a much wider range of design possibilities in a fraction of the time. It’s efficient, intuitive, and truly enhances the creative process.

Image showing a building renovation using Prome Exterior Renovator

Was there a moment during the course when you realised AI was going to change the way you design?

Yes, definitely. As soon as Martin Nealon started showing us what each tool could achieve, I was blown away.

The speed, the clarity, and the freedom to explore ideas instantly made me rethink my entire process. That’s when I realised AI wouldn’t just support my workflow, it would redefine it.

How has learning AI improved your interior design workflow and creative process?

I no longer find the 3D rendering phase daunting. Now, if a client changes direction, I can produce new concepts in minutes instead of hours. It makes the design process more flexible, more responsive, and far more enjoyable.

AI has also boosted my creativity. Whenever I feel stuck or run out of ideas, exploring different tools in Prome AI instantly sparks inspiration. It’s like having a creative partner that helps unlock fresh ideas and new directions.

Will you continue using AI tools in your professional interior design workflow?

Absolutely. As a professional, I plan to integrate these AI techniques into my workflow moving forward. The industry is clearly moving toward faster, more agile design processes, and mastering AI now gives me a valuable advantage.

It allows me to produce clearer visuals, explore multiple design directions quickly, and deliver concepts with greater efficiency. These tools will definitely play a key role in how I approach future projects.

What would you say to another interior designer considering the course?

If you’re an interior designer looking to stay relevant, inspired, and efficient, this course is absolutely worth it. AI isn’t here to replace creativity, rather, it’s here to elevate it. The tools you’ll learn not only speed up your workflow but also open up new ways to visualize, explore, and communicate design ideas.

Whether you’re a student, a freelancer, or a seasoned designer, this course gives you skills that will future-proof your career and transform the way you approach design. It’s one of the best investments you can make for your creative growth.

Rae Vee’s journey shows how learning something new,even during one of life’s busiest moments  can open fresh possibilities in design. By studying flexibly from home, she discovered tools that helped her work faster, experiment more freely, and stay creative while navigating new motherhood.

If you’re curious about adding modern skills to your own workflow or simply want a quicker, more confident way to bring ideas to life, this course is a great place to start.

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.

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What is UK Government Funding?

UK students pay approximately 50% of the full course fee – the balance is funded by the UK Government’s Adult education budget (AEB).

The National Design Academy is the only design school to be able to offer this funding as our Diplomas are all fully accredited by AIM Qualifications.