Applause, emotion and new beginnings set the tone for the Graduation Ceremony 2026 at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, bringing together Bachelor's and Master's graduates for an evening celebrating talent, creativity and the completion of an important academic journey. Hosted at the historic Teatro Manzoni, one of Milan's most renowned cultural venues, the ceremony marked not only the end of a chapter but also the beginning of an exciting new professional adventure.

This year's ceremony held an even deeper significance. Before the institutional speeches, a commemorative video paid tribute to the school's historic campus, celebrating the spaces that have shaped generations of designers and creatives. A heartfelt farewell that symbolically accompanied Istituto Marangoni Milano Design towards a new phase of growth and innovation.

The evening opened with speeches by Barbara Toscano, School Director, and Sergio Nava, Academic Director, who reflected on an academic year distinguished by outstanding achievements, international awards and ambitious design projects. They highlighted how the school's continuous growth is driven by a vibrant community of students, faculty and staff united by a shared commitment to research, experimentation and design excellence. They also looked ahead to the new campus, conceived as an innovative environment designed to support the future of design education and strengthen connections with the international creative industry.

One of the most inspiring moments of the evening was the address by Giulio Cappellini, Brand Ambassador & Art Director of Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, who encouraged graduates to embrace the next stage of their journey with curiosity, responsibility and the confidence to see design as a powerful driver of innovation and positive change.

The students' voices, however, truly captured the spirit of the ceremony.

Camilla Ferreira, graduate of the Master's programme in Product Design for Human-Robot Interaction, reflected on the role of design in a rapidly evolving technological world. She spoke about the importance of creating projects that go beyond aesthetics or functionality—projects capable of leaving a lasting impression, placing people, emotion and meaningful human experiences at the centre of the design process.

A complementary perspective came from Valentina Carignani, graduate of the Bachelor's programme in Interior Design, who reflected on the transformative journey shared by her classmates. Studying in Milan, she explained, meant far more than learning how to design spaces: it was an experience that taught them to observe, listen and transform emotions, memories and identities into meaningful projects. Above all, it shaped them not only as designers, but as individuals.

Together, their speeches perfectly embodied the values that define Istituto Marangoni Milano Design: curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration and a vision of design capable of generating cultural, social and creative impact. These are the principles that guide students throughout their academic journey, preparing them to navigate an ever-evolving professional landscape.

The evening concluded with a celebratory toast in the foyer of Teatro Manzoni, where graduates, families, faculty members and alumni came together to celebrate an important milestone and look ahead to the future.

More than the conclusion of an academic programme, the Graduation Ceremony 2026 marked the beginning of a new chapter for a generation of designers ready to bring creativity, vision and purpose into the world, contributing to shaping the future of design.