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Master'sDesign, HMI & Product Applications open

Master’s in Interior Vehicle Design & Packaging Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in interior vehicle design and packaging: 12 modules covering the interior design process, cabin architecture, packaging for designers, digital modelling, interior components, CMF, ambient lighting, on-board experience, manufacturability and regulations under UNECE Regulations No. 21 and No. 121 and ISO 3795, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Develop interior design themes from briefing to freeze.

02

Propose cabin layouts consistent with the platform and the user.

03

Design on real hardpoints while respecting packaging constraints.

04

Model interiors with digital tools and virtual reality.

05

Define colour, materials, finish and lighting proposals.

06

Ensure the manufacturability and regulatory compliance of parts.

07

Design interiors for autonomous and shared mobility.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Vehicle interior designers.
  • Digital interior designers and modellers.
  • Interior packaging engineers who work alongside design studios.
  • CMF designers.
  • On-board experience designers.
  • Interior feasibility engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • UNECE Regulation No. 21 (interior fittings)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 121 (location and identification of hand controls, tell-tales and indicators)
  • ISO 3795 (burning behaviour of interior materials)
  • FMVSS 302 (flammability of interior materials)
  • Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) (chemical substances)
  • VDA 278 (thermal desorption analysis of organic emissions)
  • ISO 12219-1 (interior air of road vehicles)
  • SAE J1100 (motor vehicle dimensions)
  • Autodesk Alias
  • Gravity Sketch
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Autodesk VRED
  • Figma
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Briefing, theme and freeze phases
  2. 1.2User research and personas
  3. 1.3Benchmarking of segment interiors
  4. 1.4Moodboards and brand narrative
  5. 1.5Cabin ideation sketches
  6. 1.62D renders with Photoshop and Sketchbook
  7. 1.7Theme selection in committee
  8. 1.8From sketch to first 3D volume
  9. 1.9Roles in a design studio
  10. 1.10Workshop: three interior themes for a compact car
  1. 2.1Two-row, three-row and lounge layouts
  2. 2.2Horizontal versus vertical architecture
  3. 2.3Displays as an architectural element
  4. 2.4Floating console on a flat floor
  5. 2.5Zoning for driver and passengers
  6. 2.6Perceived space versus real space
  7. 2.7Sense of spaciousness and brightness
  8. 2.8Roof integration and natural light
  9. 2.9Layouts for MPVs and vans
  10. 2.10Practical: layout of a seven-seat SUV
  1. 3.1Interior hardpoints and design H-point
  2. 3.2Head and knee envelopes
  3. 3.3Reach and control zones
  4. 3.4Vision and obstruction zones
  5. 3.5Volumes reserved for airbags
  6. 3.6Clearances for moving parts
  7. 3.7HVAC and duct constraints
  8. 3.8Reading packaging sheets
  9. 3.9Negotiation with the engineering team
  10. 3.10Lab: design theme on real hardpoints
  1. 4.1Conceptual modelling with Gravity Sketch
  2. 4.2Interior surface modelling in Alias
  3. 4.3Immersive design in virtual reality
  4. 4.4Proposal data for review
  5. 4.5Digital textures and grains
  6. 4.6Data preparation for model milling
  7. 4.7Rapid iteration of variants
  8. 4.8Digital review of the model
  9. 4.9Optimisation of models for real time
  10. 4.10Workshop: interior door modelled in VR
  1. 5.1Dashboard and instrument cowl
  2. 5.2The steering wheel and its formal language
  3. 5.3Door panels and handles
  4. 5.4Seats as design objects
  5. 5.5Centre console and stowage spaces
  6. 5.6Pillar and roof trims
  7. 5.7Air vents and diffusers
  8. 5.8Speakers and acoustic grilles
  9. 5.9Floor mats and footwells
  10. 5.10Case study: steering wheel for an electric vehicle
  1. 6.1Interior colour palettes
  2. 6.2Leathers, microfibres and technical textiles
  3. 6.3Grained and painted plastics
  4. 6.4Wood, metal and natural stone
  5. 6.5Recycled and bio-based materials
  6. 6.6Stitching and upholstery techniques
  7. 6.7Durability and scratch resistance
  8. 6.8UV radiation ageing
  9. 6.9Collaboration with CMF suppliers
  10. 6.10Practical: CMF proposal for three trim levels
  1. 7.1Functional and reading lighting
  2. 7.2Ambient light with RGB LEDs
  3. 7.3Light guides and diffusers
  4. 7.4Light as interface and alert
  5. 7.5Circadian rhythms and wellbeing
  6. 7.6Integration of light with displays
  7. 7.7Ambient light reflections in glazing
  8. 7.8Night-time glare control
  9. 7.9Lighting scenarios by driving mode
  10. 7.10Lab: ambient lighting mock-up
  1. 8.1Display size, location and shape
  2. 8.2Physical, touch and haptic controls
  3. 8.3Information architecture in the cabin
  4. 8.4On-board voice assistants
  5. 8.5User profile personalisation
  6. 8.6The rear-passenger experience
  7. 8.7Entertainment and connectivity
  8. 8.8Distraction and safety criteria
  9. 8.9Interface prototyping in Figma
  10. 8.10Workshop: charging experience in an electric vehicle
  1. 9.1Plastic injection moulding and parting lines
  2. 9.2Foaming and slush moulding
  3. 9.3Wrapping and covering of parts
  4. 9.4Interior tolerances and gap and flush
  5. 9.5Assembly on the interior line
  6. 9.6Clips, fasteners and ease of disassembly
  7. 9.7Tooling and part costs
  8. 9.8Perceived quality and squeak and rattle
  9. 9.9Commonality strategies between versions
  10. 9.10Case study: door panel with three variants
  1. 10.1Interior fittings requirements UNECE 21
  2. 10.2Radii and edges in impact zones
  3. 10.3Material flammability according to ISO 3795
  4. 10.4Material emissions and odour
  5. 10.5Tear lines in airbag covers
  6. 10.6Controls and indicators according to UNECE 121
  7. 10.7Child safety and child seats
  8. 10.8Universal accessibility of the cabin
  9. 10.9REACH chemical restrictions
  10. 10.10Practical: regulatory check of a dashboard
  1. 11.1Interiors for Level 4 autonomy
  2. 11.2Swivel seats and social configurations
  3. 11.3Robotaxi and fleet cabins
  4. 11.4Wellbeing and health on board
  5. 11.5Modular and upgradeable interiors
  6. 11.6Circular and dismountable interiors
  7. 11.7Design for an ageing population
  8. 11.8Luxury interiors and craftsmanship
  9. 11.9Electric truck cabins
  10. 11.10Case study: lounge interior for an autonomous shuttle
  1. 12.1Briefing and user research
  2. 12.2Concepts and theme selection
  3. 12.3Packaging and cabin architecture
  4. 12.43D modelling of the interior
  5. 12.5CMF and lighting proposal
  6. 12.6Validation in virtual reality
  7. 12.7Verification of technical feasibility
  8. 12.8Final presentation to the committee
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Alias, Gravity Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk VRED and Figma, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: design-theme reviews in virtual reality, ambient lighting and materials mock-ups and user clinics with interior proposals. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: UNECE Regulation No. 21, UNECE Regulation No. 121, ISO 3795, FMVSS 302, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), VDA 278, ISO 12219-1, SAE J1100.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of UNECE Regulations No. 21 and No. 121 and ISO 3795 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Autodesk Alias, Gravity Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk VRED and Figma, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete vehicle interior design, from user research to CMF, lighting and validation in virtual reality, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Interior themes
Develop three interior themes for a compact car from briefing to sketch.
Design on real hardpoints
Adapt a design theme to real interior hardpoints and packaging constraints.
VR interior modelling
Model an interior door in virtual reality and refine it in Alias.
CMF proposal
Define colour, materials and finish for three trim levels.
Master's Thesis
Design, model and validate a complete vehicle interior, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Vehicle Interior DesignerDigital Interior DesignerInterior Packaging EngineerCMF DesignerOn-Board Experience DesignerInterior Feasibility Engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Autodesk Alias, Gravity Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk VRED and Figma, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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