How do you study interior design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk? Aleksandra Świąder tells the story

28 of May '26

#Education of Architecture in Poland_Faculties of Architecture.

Where to study interior architecture in Poland? Which university to choose? We ask students and young graduates of Polish universities about what it's like to study in this field - what works, what is a challenge, and what would be worth improving. Aleksandra Swiąder told us about how to study interior design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk.

Aleksandra ŚWIĄDER - Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Faculty of Architecture, majoring in Interior Design, graduated 2025. Art has accompanied me from an early age. My first steps in the world of aesthetics and discipline are associated with ballroom dancing, which shaped my sensitivity. I graduated with honors with a degree in Interior Design from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk. I am currently working as an interior architect in a design studio in Gdansk. In architecture, I am fascinated by neuroarchitecture and biophilic design. I strive to create spaces that support mental well-being and strengthen the connection with nature. I pay special attention to inclusivity and the needs of people with disabilities, which I base on personal experience.

My studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk were an extremely valuable, albeit very intense, stage of my life. To a large extent, they defined my creative identity and style, which I have consistently developed after graduation. When joining the recruitment process, I didn't fully realize the versatility that studying at an art academy offers. The academy turned out to be a space for exploration, experimentation and conscious construction of my own design language.

During my studies, I had the opportunity to develop in many fields: from photography, painting and drawing, to sculpture and ceramics, to graphic design, animation, 3D design and interior architecture, including furniture design. Such diversity allowed me to look at design in an interdisciplinary and flexible way. Completing a degree in interior architecture has made me think about further development in other design areas as well

One of the most important aspects of the study was the individual approach to the student. Throughout the five years of study, I felt that the instructors were very familiar with both my style and previous projects. This significantly influenced the quality of work and the development of subsequent concepts. Particularly valuable was the experience of working in a small, three-person diploma studio, where I was able to take full advantage of the supervisor's time. I received from her not only substantive support, but also motivation and constructive criticism, which had a real impact on the development of the diploma project. Relationships with lecturers in many cases continue even after graduation, which confirms that we were treated with great attention and commitment.

Contact with the international student community was also an important part of my academic experience. Although I opted out of going on a foreign internship and did it in a studio in Gdansk, as an Erasmus Buddy tutor I had the opportunity to get to know many foreign students and their approach to design. At the academy, I also participated in international design workshops, which allowed me to observe the different approaches to conceptual work presented by lecturers from other foreign universities.

Although studying at an art academy has its own characteristics and requires a great deal of commitment, I am extremely grateful for the fact that it taught me to accept constructive criticism, and at the same time to openly and courageously express my own opinions and defend my ideas.

Once I entered the workforce, however, I noticed some areas that could have been more strongly emphasized in the curriculum. I missed an in-depth knowledge of materials and a greater emphasis on executive drawing. It would also have been valuable to have had the opportunity to go through the entire project process in a hands-on way, along with dealing with contractors, working on cost estimates, and the trade-offs that arise in the later stages of design work.

My studies gave me a solid creative foundation, taught me how to work with a concept and make informed design decisions. However, it was only the market that verified these skills and showed me how to turn them into real and responsible professional practice.