Language

English

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

9 Months

Activate your creativity and discover multiple design disciplines through a learning approach that integrates theory, practice, and experimentation.

The Foundation in Global Design is an English-taught programme that allows you to explore design through hands-on experience and an interdisciplinary perspective. You will work on different projects across three key areas: service design (where you will create your own app), product design (where you will design and prototype a lamp), and interior design (where you will develop a pop-up store concept).

These projects are complemented by introductory modules that provide the foundations of design, along with a transversal module that examines its historical, cultural, and social context.

With a curriculum that combines research, analysis, material and tool experimentation, and audiovisual communication, you will build a robust portfolio to support your progression into higher education.

Information to decide

A practical and interdisciplinary programme that introduces you to the design ecosystem and enables you to start developing your portfolio through projects in different fields.

The programme blends hands-on learning, project-based work, and material exploration. Graphic and audiovisual tools are used to support the design process.

The training is organised into two semesters and five modules. It begins with the fundamentals of design and continues with a module on historical, cultural, and social context. You will then progress to three complete projects in service design, product design, and interior design.

This structure enables you to experience different areas of design and build your portfolio step by step.

This programme is aimed both at those seeking an initial introduction to the world of design and at those who wish to explore different creative fields before choosing a specialisation.

It is also an ideal option for international students looking to broaden their academic background in a multidisciplinary and multicultural city like Barcelona.

If you are interested in design and want to explore its main disciplines while developing your creative skills, this programme will help you confidently prepare for your next academic step.

The Foundation in Global Design offers an immersive introduction to design across several key disciplines, through hands-on learning that combines material experimentation, visual techniques, and digital tools.

The experience is enriched by professional lecturers, a transversal approach, and direct engagement with Barcelona’s creative ecosystem, including workshops and activities with local designers and makers. From day one, you will gain a broad understanding of design, develop essential skills, and build a strong portfolio that will open the door to higher-education pathways and future academic and creative opportunities.

Syllabus

What will you learn?

The course introduces you to the fundamentals of design with an interdisciplinary approach, and you’ll also delve into marketing applied to design, as well as the analysis and communication tools you’ll use in a design project. Last but not least, you’ll finish the course by presenting a project to put everything you’ve learnt into practice. 



Subjects

Foundations of Design 

Drawing and Color 

Volume 

Materiality 

External Visits: exploring the world of design 

Design Contexts: History, Culture, and Society 

History of Design 

Sociology 

Applied History 

Applied Sociology 

Service Design: Designing an App   

Project research & development 

Applied representation & communication 

Product Design: Designing and Prototyping a Lamp   

Project research & development 

Applied materiality 

Applied representation & communication 

Interior Design: Designing a Pop-up Store  

Project research & development 

Applied materiality 

Applied representation & communication 

News

01 December 2025

AQU Catalunya and IED Barcelona begin a mass survey to gauge the satisfaction of recent graduates

More than 60,000 people who finished their university and artistic studies last year will receive the survey, which will serve to improve the degrees currently being taught. Participants will be entered into a prize draw for the latest generation iPhone.

Tres premios a Alumni y estudiantes IED Madrid durante el mes de noviembre: Premio Nacional de Innovacion, Frame Awards & Premio Antalia Decora

28 November 2025

Three awards for IED Madrid alumni and students in November: National Innovation Award, Frame Awards & Antalia Decora

Federico Sáinz de Robles wins the National Innovation Award with his brand Sepiia, while Lucas Muñoz receives the FRAME Editor's Pick mention for his COLAB project for Sancal and Jacobo López del Hierro Llopis wins third prize at Antalia Decora

28 November 2025

Talent Days at IED Torino: a bridge between creativity and the world of work

Two days of meetings and interviews between students and companies to foster networking, dialogue, and early professional opportunities in the fields of yacht design and communication.

27 November 2025

Paula Garrote, IED Madrid Alumni. The experience of being the winner of a Francesco Morelli scholarship

Paula Garrote has been awarded with this scholarship to continue developing her final degree project, Órtesis Urbanas

25 November 2025

DARD Vietnam 2025 : an immersive thesis experience in adaptive reuse and sustainable innovation with RMIT

DARD Vietnam 2025: Eighteen IED Milano BA students involved in the Second Edition of the Immersive Thesis Program in partnership with RMIT Vietnam

Tercer Premio Antalia Decora y mención especial a la funcionalidad y diseño para Matriz, del estudiante Jacobo López del Hierro del IED Madrid

25 November 2025

Third Prize Antalia Decora and special mention for functionality and design for Matriz, by student Jacobo López del Hierro from IED Madrid

In addition to this award, student Lilia Cherradi was one of the finalists in the V edition of these awards

24 November 2025

Rodrigo Triana, Special Mention in Young Design at the 2025 Catalonia Ecodesign Award

The Product Design alumnus from IED Barcelona was also selected to present his winning project, “Tonah” —a parasol with an integrated natural cooling system— at ADI Making of… event.

21 November 2025

FRAME Editor's Pick Award for COLAB by Sancal, a project by IED Madrid alumnus Lucas Muñoz

An award that seeks to recognise the project that best represents the values of innovation, sustainability and critical thinking.

14 November 2025

From all over the world to Turin: IED welcomes its new international students

Two days between campus spaces and the city center, where new international students, guided by a treasure hunt, started to find their way, meet each other, and grow as a group

Don't miss it

Exhibitions and Festival

04 December 2025 - 07 January 2026

Barcelona

“Christmas lights illuminate commerce 2025”

From 4 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, two shop window projects designed by fourth-year Interior Design students will take part in a new edition of this campaign aiming to innovate in the city’s commerce through design.