NDA UK
NDA DUBAI
NDA UK
NDA DUBAI
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Online (via Zoom)
Fast-Track Diploma

Professional
Interior Design

Online (via Zoom)
Fast-Track Diploma

Professional
Interior Design

As a not-for-profit foundation, we are so confident in the price of our Diploma’s that if you can find the same level of education for less, we will match it!

Entry Requirements

No previous qualifications required, just an interest & enthusiasm for interior design

Course Duration

14 weeks of home study
including 20 x bi-weekly
online sessions (via Zoom)

Next Course Date

6th January - 18th April
6pm - 8.30pm UK Time
Tuesday & Friday

More Dates

Assessment

No exams!
Tutor assessment only

Course Summary

With twice weekly live Zoom classes, the Online Fast-Tracked Diploma combines the intensive pace of the ‘In-Studio Fast-Track’ Diploma and the convenience of the ‘Online Flexible’ Diploma. This 14 week course is ideal for those students wanting to study from home and speed up their learning in a live environment. 

The Level 3 Diploma in Professional Interior Design provides you with the skills and qualification to work professionally as an interior designer… without having to go back to school full-time allowing you to balance the demands of work and family life.

The skills you’ll learn can help you carry out design projects for yourself or for family and friends, prepare you for work as a designer, or enable you to pursue further studies in the subject.

This course is Ofqual Level 3 accredited and globally recognised, meaning you can work legally as an interior designer or gain enough educational credits to study a Bachelors Degree if you so choose.

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We have over 30 years of experience in teaching interior design and over 35,000 alumni, this course is a trusted way to help you pursue your passion and kick-start your career as an interior designer

Why Learn Online?

For students who want all the benefits of remote online learning, but are also looking for more structure and live interaction with tutors and peers, the ‘Online Fast-Track’ course offers an ideal mix.

Because the course is delivered fully online, it means students can study from anywhere in the world without the need to travel or commute and attend a full-time course. But it also adds the valuable element of live lectures online with tutors and other students, to cover key content and enable discussions.

  • Study part-time from anywhere in the world
  • Get a recognised professional UK qualification
  • Talk to and interact with tutors and peers
  • Feel motivated and part of a live learning community
  • Complete the course in as little as 14 weeks

What Will I Study?

You will study eight dedicated Units during this Professional Diploma

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

This unit introduces you to the fundamental elements and principles that are common within a successful design scheme and how they are adopted by Professional Interior Designers today. You’ll learn how and why interior design has changed over time and to identify key interior design trends. What you learn in this unit will provide an essential foundation to underpin your future designs. This unit also includes:-

  • The 7 design elements of good design
  • Interior Design history and contemporary practice
  • The role of an Interior Designer and different project types
  • Professional presentation boards
  • How to write a short design report

Using Colour in Interior Design

This unit will spark your creativity by giving you the opportunity to play with colour. You’ll explore practical colour theory to enable you to design both historical and contemporary colour schemes. This unit also includes:-

  • Basic colour principles and terminology
  • The impact of colour in a design scheme
  • The psychological importance of colour in an interior space
  • Historical and contemporary colour trends
  • Creating a successful interior design colour scheme

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

This unit covers the wide and exciting range of surface finishes now available to create fabulous interiors. You’ll explore the versatility and impact of materials for walls, floors and soft furnishings and how to use them to create an effective design scheme. This unit also includes:-

  • The characteristics and suitability of different materials
  • Sourcing and using materials to develop a design scheme
  • Practical skills to represent colour, pattern and texture
  • How to visually present your design ideas

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

This unit shows you how to plan the space for a room design. From initial sketches to final layouts, you will visualise and present design solutions to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-

  • Understanding the space and the client brief
  • Traffic flow and zoning of space
  • Developing floor plans
  • Creating elevations
  • Practical sketching and drawing techniques

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

This unit focusses on the limitless range of furniture and accessories available to the Interior Designer. You’ll learn to recognise key styles in furniture and accessory design and how to select and source appropriate furniture and accessories to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-

  • Understanding of different furniture and accessory styles, historical and contemporary
  • Influential practitioners and design movements
  • The characteristics and suitability of furniture and accessories
  • Choosing and sourcing items
  • Producing furniture layouts

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

This unit explores the potential of creative lighting in interiors and develops your knowledge of lighting design, including traditional and contemporary products. You’ll learn how to choose lighting for your schemes and how to deal with suppliers. This unit also includes:-

  • Understanding different lighting products and lamps
  • Task, ambient and decorative lighting
  • Lighting levels for room design
  • Cool and warm lighting
  • Creating a lighting scheme for a furniture layout
  • Applying symbols appropriate to industry lighting plans
  • Developing a lighting plan to meet a client brief

Professional Practice in Interior Design

This unit explores the diverse possibilities for a career in the Interior design industry and helps prepare you to work successfully in the professional environment, whether this be in an established practice or setting up an interior design business. With a focus on your personal and professional development, you will consider the steps you should take to achieve your own progression ambitions. This unit also includes:-

  • Being employed, self-employed and setting up an interior design service
  • Portfolio development
  • Working with others in a professional environment
  • Effective marketing and promotion
  • How to charge for your design service
  • Studying for a degree

Professional Interior Design Project

For this final unit of the course, you bring together all your newly learned skill by producing conceptual designs to create a wonderful interior design scheme for a new client. When complete, your work will form an asset to your developing portfolio to show future clients. This unit also includes:-

  • Developing a design concept
  • Creating a colour scheme
  • Selecting surface finishes
  • Space planning, including furniture and accessory arrangements
  • Creating a lighting plan
  • Professional presentation techniques
DOWNLOAD COURSE GUIDE

Interior Design & the Role of the Designer

This unit introduces you to the fundamental elements and principles that are common within a successful design scheme and how they are adopted by Professional Interior Designers today. You’ll learn how and why interior design has changed over time and to identify key interior design trends. What you learn in this unit will provide an essential foundation to underpin your future designs. This unit also includes:-

  • The 7 design elements of good design
  • Interior Design history and contemporary practice
  • The role of an Interior Designer and different project types
  • Professional presentation boards
  • How to write a short design report

Using Colour in Interior Design

This unit will spark your creativity by giving you the opportunity to play with colour. You’ll explore practical colour theory to enable you to design both historical and contemporary colour schemes. This unit also includes:-

  • Basic colour principles and terminology
  • The impact of colour in a design scheme
  • The psychological importance of colour in an interior space
  • Historical and contemporary colour trends
  • Creating a successful interior design colour scheme

Exploring Surface Finishes in Interior Design

This unit covers the wide and exciting range of surface finishes now available to create fabulous interiors. You’ll explore the versatility and impact of materials for walls, floors and soft furnishings and how to use them to create an effective design scheme. This unit also includes:-

  • The characteristics and suitability of different materials
  • Sourcing and using materials to develop a design scheme
  • Practical skills to represent colour, pattern and texture
  • How to visually present your design ideas

Plans and Space Planning in a Professional Context

This unit shows you how to plan the space for a room design. From initial sketches to final layouts, you will visualise and present design solutions to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-

  • Understanding the space and the client brief
  • Traffic flow and zoning of space
  • Developing floor plans
  • Creating elevations
  • Practical sketching and drawing techniques

Furniture & Accessories in Interior Design

This unit focusses on the limitless range of furniture and accessories available to the Interior Designer. You’ll learn to recognise key styles in furniture and accessory design and how to select and source appropriate furniture and accessories to meet a client brief. This unit also includes:-

  • Understanding of different furniture and accessory styles, historical and contemporary
  • Influential practitioners and design movements
  • The characteristics and suitability of furniture and accessories
  • Choosing and sourcing items
  • Producing furniture layouts

Creative Lighting in Interior Design

This unit explores the potential of creative lighting in interiors and develops your knowledge of lighting design, including traditional and contemporary products. You’ll learn how to choose lighting for your schemes and how to deal with suppliers. This unit also includes:-

  • Understanding different lighting products and lamps
  • Task, ambient and decorative lighting
  • Lighting levels for room design
  • Cool and warm lighting
  • Creating a lighting scheme for a furniture layout
  • Applying symbols appropriate to industry lighting plans
  • Developing a lighting plan to meet a client brief

Professional Practice in Interior Design

This unit explores the diverse possibilities for a career in the Interior design industry and helps prepare you to work successfully in the professional environment, whether this be in an established practice or setting up an interior design business. With a focus on your personal and professional development, you will consider the steps you should take to achieve your own progression ambitions. This unit also includes:-

  • Being employed, self-employed and setting up an interior design service
  • Portfolio development
  • Working with others in a professional environment
  • Effective marketing and promotion
  • How to charge for your design service
  • Studying for a degree

Professional Interior Design Project

For this final unit of the course, you bring together all your newly learned skill by producing conceptual designs to create a wonderful interior design scheme for a new client. When complete, your work will form an asset to your developing portfolio to show future clients. This unit also includes:-

  • Developing a design concept
  • Creating a colour scheme
  • Selecting surface finishes
  • Space planning, including furniture and accessory arrangements
  • Creating a lighting plan
  • Professional presentation techniques
DOWNLOAD COURSE GUIDE

Student Gallery

A sample of work completed by our talented interior design students

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How Is The Course Run?

The 14 week course consists of a 8-week study period that covers each of the 8 subject units in the Diploma course, one unit per week. Also upto 4 ‘Independent Study’ weeks within the duration to allow students to complete assignments.

Study Week Course Schedule

  • At the start of each study week, students are provided access to course content for the relevant subject unit
  • A 2.5 hour live lecture is held by the tutor to cover key points in the unit
  • Students are given 2 to 3 days to go through the unit content and start their assignments in their own time
  • A 2.5 hour live lecture is held towards the middle of the week to allow time for discussions, questions and a review of progress made on assignments
  • All assignments relating to the unit are completed by end of the week or a following 'Independent Study' week
  • 1hr live zoom induction to the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS) and to meet your course Tutor before study weeks begin.
  • 2.5hr live zoom lectures are organised two days per week for an 8 week study period.
  • 2.5hr live zoom Q&A sessions are organised two days per week for the final 2 weeks.
  • Up to 4 'Independent Study' weeks within the duration of your course to complete any unfinished assignments.
Please Note: This is an intensive, fast-track course. If you are unable to commit to the course schedule, other study options are available.
MORE STUDY OPTIONS

Available Course Dates

International students (non-UK) – Please check the timings of each course in your country, using our handy Timezone Converter below. All courses are listed in UK (London) Timezone.

  • 6th January - 18th April
    6pm - 8.30pm UK Time
    Tuesday & Friday
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Evening
  • 26th January - 8th May
    10am - 12.30pm UK Time
    Monday & Thursday
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Morning
  • 9th February - 29th May
    10am - 12.30pm UK Time
    Monday & Thursday
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Morning
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A Recognised Qualification

Accreditation

At the National Design Academy, we fully believe in the importance of accreditation. After all, what value is there in investing time and money into a course if it doesn’t offer a recognized qualification? The Diploma course is accredited by AIM Qualifications, an independent accrediting body for UK courses, and is recognised globally. It offers a level-3 UK qualification that allows to you work as a professional interior designer or start your own design business.

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  • UK Government Funding (Diploma)
UK residents pay approximately 50% course fees and funding from the UK government will pay the rest.
  • UK Government Student Loan (Diploma)
No upfront course fees to find. If you are aged 19+ and have lived in England for 3+ years you are eligible.

Online Fast-Track Diploma Course Fees

UK Students

Non-Funded
Course Fee £1,800
Less
UK Government Funding
NDA Funded Course Fee £1,200

There are three ways for UK students to pay for their Online Fast-Track Diploma:

One Payment

£ 1,200 On Enrolment
  •  
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3 x Monthly Payments

£ 450 Per Month*
  • £1,350 in total
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UK Student Loan

COVERS FULL COURSE FEE
£ 50 ADMIN FEE
  • refunded on completion
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* Monthly payments include admin fee.

International Students

There are two ways for International students to pay for their Online Fast-Track Diploma:

One Payment

$ 2,425 ON ENROLMENT
  • Save $250 by paying in full
  • Limited spaces available!!
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3 x Monthly Payments

$ 2,675 IN TOTAL*
  • $1,125 on enrolment
  • + 2 x $775 monthly payments
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* Monthly payments include admin fee.

All International fees in US Dollars.

What Will I Need To Study?

Alongside a computer and an internet connection, there is also essential and recommended design equipment and resources required to complete your NDA Course, the majority are available through the online NDA Art Shop at student prices!

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What's Next?

Higher Education
You can choose to continue your studies and enrol onto our Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design (BA Hons) this is studied online in the same way as your Diploma. As a Diploma graduate, you are also automatically eligible to join this course. The Bachelor’s Degree equips you with a higher skill level and a more in-depth understanding of the interior design industry, while adding an impressive qualification to your CV.
Careers

The Diploma course provides you with the practical skills needed to start working as a designer. With a professional qualification in hand, you can look for internship or employment opportunities to launch your design career and build industry experience.

Alternatively, you can look at starting your own interior design business and building your own client base.

Student Success Stories...

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Ready to pursue your passion for Interior Design?

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What Our Students Say...

Hear what past and present students have to say about studying at the NDA

It has been so enjoyable and informative, I have gained a world of information with regards to Interior Design. Yes it was a bit challenging at times with my busy schedule but all in all it was a fantastic experience. The amount of information supplied by the NDA for every unit was very informative, enlightening and more than sufficient for the subject at hand. My Tutor's conduct, experience, humor, unbiased views and superb teaching was excellent in every sphere of Interior Design.
Jade Persaud-Kanick Diploma - Professional Interior Design
Because it was my first experience in Interior Design, I was very surprised of how many factors and Interior Designer has to take in consideration to plan and do a good Interior. In my opinion the course was well organized. I think that the course was very good, the tutors always motivated us and they created a sense of community. Everything was perfect.
Fast-Track StudentDiploma - Professional Interior Design
NDA has projected a superb and comprehensive layout for the Diploma course. The VLS is very user friendly and the resources and gallery sections are very detailed and informative. The front desk staff of the NDA have also been very helpful and friendly - overall the NDA has really proven to be an all round superior learning institution for the world of Interior Design.
Jade Persaud-Kanick Diploma - Professional Interior Design
I chose to study the Interior Design Diploma at the NDA primarily because of its AIM Awards accreditation. The distance learning was of great importance because of my other commitments and meant that I could achieve a good balance between work, personal life and study.
Anita BrownDiploma - Professional Interior Design
It was an easy decision to study with the NDA. One of the things that made the whole process so much easier was the VLS platform. It's a great method of communication between student and tutor but also in terms of receiving work and submitting feedback.
John NivenDiploma - Professional Interior Design
I would recommend anybody with a willingness to study Interior Design to consider the National Design Academy. The tutor support is fantastic and it is a great way to gain qualifications without having to put the rest of your life on hold.
Amy JohnsonDiploma - Professional Interior Design
It is an amazing course which exceeded my expectations as I thought it would be less informative instead I learned more than I expected to learn and the assignments were more challenging than I imagined. Thanks for the amazing course!
Lolowa Al MazroueiDiploma - Professional Interior Design
I have enjoyed the course immensely. Not only have I gained some knowledge into the interior design world but my main gain is in my confidence which has really grown during the course, which has been noticed by friends and colleagues…
Linda AstonDiploma - Professional Interior Design
I chose to study Interior Design because I’ve always thought that I’d be good at it. I started by doing the Diploma course at the NDA just to see if I had ‘it’ and if I enjoyed the subject, and I loved it! So much so that I jumped straight from that course to the Degree.
Damian MayhewDiploma - Professional Interior Design
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Course Schedule

  • Induction Session (1 hr)

    Friday 6th January @ 6pm

  • Unit 1 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 10th January @ 6pm

  • Unit 1 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 13th January @ 6pm

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 16th January

  • Unit 2 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 24th January @ 6pm

  • Unit 2 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 27th January @ 6pm

  • Unit 3 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 31st January @ 6pm

  • Unit 3 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 3rd February @ 6pm

  • Unit 4 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 7th February @ 6pm

  • Unit 4 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 10th February @ 6pm

  • Unit 5 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 14th February @ 6pm

  • Unit 5 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 17th February @ 6pm

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 20th February

  • Unit 6 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 28th February @ 6pm

  • Unit 6 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 3rd March @ 6pm

  • Unit 7 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 7th March @ 6pm

  • Unit 7 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 10th March @ 6pm

  • Unit 8 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 14th March @ 6pm

  • Unit 8 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 17th March @ 6pm

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 20th March

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 28th March @ 6pm

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 31st March @ 6pm

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 3rd April

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Tuesday 11th April @ 6pm

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Friday 14th April @ 6pm

  • Completion Date (Hand-in)

    Tuesday 18th April

DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE
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Course Schedule

  • Induction Session (1 hr)

    Thursday 26th January @ 10am

  • Unit 1 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 30th January @ 10am

  • Unit 1 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 2nd February @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 6th February

  • Unit 2 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 13th February @ 10am

  • Unit 2 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 16th February @ 10am

  • Unit 3 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 20th February @ 10am

  • Unit 3 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 23rd February @ 10am

  • Unit 4 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 27th February @ 10am

  • Unit 4 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 2nd March @ 10am

  • Unit 5 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 6th March @ 10am

  • Unit 5 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 9th March @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 13th March

  • Unit 6 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 20th March @ 10am

  • Unit 6 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 23rd March @ 10am

  • Unit 7 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 27th March @ 10am

  • Unit 7 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 30th March @ 10am

  • Unit 8 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 3rd April @ 10am

  • Unit 8 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 6th April @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 10th April

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 17th April @ 10am

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 20th April @ 10am

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 24th April @ 10am

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 27th April @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 1st May

  • Completion Date (Hand-in)

    Monday 8th May

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Course Schedule

  • Induction Session (1 hr)

    Thursday 9th February @ 10am

  • Unit 1 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 13th February @ 10am

  • Unit 1 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 16th February @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 20th February

  • Unit 2 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 27th February @ 10am

  • Unit 2 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 2nd March @ 10am

  • Unit 3 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 6th March @ 10am

  • Unit 3 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 9th March @ 10am

  • Unit 4 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 13th March @ 10am

  • Unit 4 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 16th March @ 10am

  • Unit 5 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 20th March @ 10am

  • Unit 5 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 23rd March @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 27th March

  • Unit 6 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 3rd April @ 10am

  • Unit 6 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 6th April @ 10am

  • Independent Study (1 week)

    W/C Monday 10th April

  • Unit 7 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 17th April @ 10am

  • Unit 7 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 20th April @ 10am

  • Unit 8 - Live Lecture (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 24th April @ 10am

  • Unit 8 - Q&A (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 27th April @ 10am

  • Independent Study (2 weeks)

    W/C Monday 1st May

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 15th May @ 10am

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 18th May @ 10am

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Monday 22nd May @ 10am

  • Q&A Session (2.5 hrs)

    Thursday 25th May @ 10am

  • Completion Date (Hand-in)

    Monday 29th May

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Study Now, Pay Later!

Limited Funding Available – Enrol Now & Don’t Miss Out! 

NDA Professional Interior Design Diploma Courses are eligible for UK Student Loans because they are fully accredited. They are called Advanced Learner Loans (ALL) and if you will be aged 19+ when you start your course, you will be eligible. The loan will cover the entire cost of your non-funded course fee—with no tuition fees to find.

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