Istituto Marangoni Milano • The School of Design is enhancing its academic program again this year by bringing in well-known designers to mentor Postgraduate and Undergraduate students throughout their journey at the School. 

The Mentorship Programmes offer students the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts on practical, hands-on projects. Each Mentor is assigned to a course to work with students on projects commissioned by top companies in the industry, making the transition from studying to working seamless. 

At Istituto Marangoni, learning emphasises practical design and hands-on experiences, with students working on numerous projects that allow them to apply what they learn in the classroom and refine their skills.

This year’s project will involve five experts: Odo Fioravanti, Designer & Founder of Odo Fioravanti Design Studio; Carlo Colombo, Architect, CEO & Founder of Studio A++; Vincenzo Gasbarro, Chief Creative Officer of Mcsaatchi.eu; Francesco Bernabei, CEO & Founder of Monogrid and, finally, Elena Salmistraro, Product Designer, Artist & I'M Mentor.

Odo Fioravanti will collaborate with Product & Furniture Design Master's students on innovative projects paying special attention to products and furnishing accessories. Carlo Colombo will join the students of the Master's in Interior Contract Design to focus on luxury residential and retail interior spaces. Vincenzo Gasbarro will lead students from the Digital Art Direction Master's programme, which aims to train future Digital Art Directors specialising in Digital Communication. Thanks to the experience gained in his company, Monogrid, Francesco Bernabei will Mentor the students specialising in Digital Design for Immersive Experiences, who will learn how to connect the physical and digital worlds through immersive installations.

Elena Salmistraro, recognised by Forbes as one of the 100 most influential women of 2023, has decided to renew her partnership with Istituto Marangoni. She will mentor the Interior Design Master's programme, and for the first time, extend her mentorship to first-year students from the three-year programmes in Product Design, Interior Design or Visual Design.