Short courses cover a variety of subjects, levels and duration to suit all preferences, and are also the perfect ‘taster’ or introduction to design programmes, useful when considering more intensive study, or for future career path development.
This exciting short course explores the contemporary design field. The lifestyle and client demands of today’s market signify a greater need for products that serve a specific function but which are, at the same time, aesthetically seductive and contemporary in feel. This course gives participants insight into and experience of what product design is today, offering an overview of the stages and activities involved. They will have the opportunity to understand the main processes of a new product from concept design through to manufacturing, prototyping and marketing. This course will allow the participants to gain ability and knowledge of how to transform an idea into a product.
Week 1 Milano is an international centre of design and each year the world gravitates towards the anticipated events of the Salone del Mobile and Fuori Salone. An examination of the latest products presented in the past Milan Design Week will be the starting point for the participants to gain a familiarity with the importance of Made in Italy, its language and context. The culture of design is, however, a global phenomenon, and the course also aims to inform participants of other aesthetic design languages that inform and influence the contemporary landscape of design. The course introduces participants to an approach of critical analysis of international design, in order to support professional activities in the design field or simply to satisfy the curiosity about the way we live and how designers work today.
Week 2 The participants will be introduced to the beginning stages of the design process through the techniques and practical methods commonly used in design research. Participants will learn how to structure and analyse a design brief, identify the needs of end-users, and create a product proposal. Participants will begin the creative design process by analyizing existing conditions and products that will form the foundation of their concepts and then will proceed to understanding the development phase.
Week 3 The final week looks at the development and definition of the concept design of the product. Analysis of the main stages of the design process as well as production criteria and considerations will be addressed. This deepens understanding of the activities necessary to define a number of different viable conceptual schemes that meet the needs of the product. Participants will also be able to identify appropriate manufacturing processes and materials to their own designs.
The student activity programme in Milan is designed to showcase the many facets of this vibrant and dynamic city—from its rich classical heritage to its cutting-edge contemporary art scene.
The weekly schedule includes guided walking tours, visits to iconic landmarks and lesserknown sites, as well as museum visits and cultural experiences that highlight Milan’s unique blend of tradition and innovation. Each weekend, students will enjoy a full-day excursion to nearby destinations, offering the chance to explore more of northern Italy’s cultural and natural treasures. The activity programme is carefully planned to complement students' lesson schedules and may vary accordingly. Activities are available with a minimum of 4–5 participants, with three activities scheduled per week, in addition to the weekend trip.