TALENT CONTEST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AD ITALIA - ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST FOR THE SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, in collaboration with AD Italia, Architectural Digest’s Italian edition – a leading voice in design, interiors and contemporary culture, launches an international scholarship contest dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate courses starting in January 2026.
This initiative invites aspiring designers to explore the connection between design, aesthetics and visual storytelling, reflecting on how spaces and objects can become key protagonists in the contemporary narratives of television series.

THE CONTEST

In the world of television series, design is an integral part of storytelling: from the spaces where characters move – whether physical, metaphorical or virtual – to the objects they interact with, as well as typography and graphic animation, everything contributes to the visual narrative.
Graphic, narrative and symbolic elements are carefully orchestrated to create a coherent and immersive experience.

Think of the visual language of Black Mirror, where minimalist environments and cool tones communicate unease and dystopia; the regal and romantic settings of Bridgerton and The Crown; the urban and dramatic interiors of Gomorra; or the iconic Sacco armchair by Zanotta taking centre stage in Les Papillons Noirs, a true symbol of its era.

Many set designs are real masterpieces, capable of telling stories through the design of spaces and objects. The pastoral atmosphere of Bridgerton, the royal backdrops of The Crown, the opulent interiors of Gomorra, or the unmistakable presence of the Sacco armchair in Les Papillons Noirs are just a few examples of how design defines narrative identity.

Such impactful aesthetic choices often influence people’s personal tastes and even generate interior design trends – from the return of Y2K aesthetics to the growing fascination with luxury outdoor spaces inspired by The White Lotus.

With “Design and TV Series: When Aesthetics Become Narrative”, AD Italia and Istituto Marangoni Milano Design invite aspiring designers from around the world to reinterpret this dialogue between design and visual culture, giving shape to their own idea of narrative aesthetics.

THE SCHOLARSHIP

Istituto Marangoni offers top talents the opportunity to receive a tuition fee reduction (the enrolment fee remains due) for courses starting in January 2026 at the School of Design in Milan, according to the following criteria:

• Up to €15,000 (€5,000 per academic year) for undergraduate three-year courses
• Up to €10,000 for One-Year Intensive and Master’s courses
• Up to €5,000 for Foundation courses

Application deadline: 15 December 2025