Language

English

Start date

October 2027

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

02 October 2026

AQU Catalunya grants favourable accreditation to IED Barcelona’s Bachelor of Arts in Design

Once again, IED Barcelona has received a favourable report from the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU Catalunya), certifying the quality of the Bachelor of Arts in Design (Título de Grado en Enseñanzas Artísticas Superiores de Diseño) delivered by the centre.

01 October 2026

Marco Rainò is the new Scientific Leader of the Master of Arts in Interior Design

IED Torino welcomes Marco Rainò, architect, designer and independent curator, who takes on the role of Scientific Leader of the Master of Arts in Interior Design.

01 October 2026

The Word for Border is Water

IED participates for the third time at the Class of 26 exhibition during Dutch Design Week

30 September 2026

Two IED Barcelona projects to be exhibited in "Matter Matters" at the Museu del Disseny-Dhub

During the 2026/27 academic year, “The Beetle Bottle” by Product Design alumnus Abdelaziz Moustafa will be featured in the Autumn/Winter exhibition, while “Mis queridos Ascos” by Fashion Design graduate Violeta Mata will be exhibited in the Spring/Summer edition.

18 September 2026

Inclusion, equity and diversity: the journey continues

One year after achieving the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an increasingly inclusive, equitable workplace culture that values diversity.

Crowded stalls of an auditorium

15 September 2026

More than 200 students from 52 nationalities open the 2026-2027 academic year of the IED Barcelona

On 14 September, the Welcome Event welcomed a new generation of creatives and designers joining the undergraduate programmes.

11 September 2026

Issue 4: Material World - Plural Intelligences

What happens when we recognize the intelligence of materials and learn to work with it responsibly, collectively, and collaboratively?

11 September 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao temporarily transforms Doña Casilda Park with ‘Sareak’

A cross-disciplinary project bringing together nearly 200 members of the community to reflect on contemporary communication through design.

07 September 2026

Fashion show and festival: the IED Public Programme is back

In September, IED's Public Program returns with a calendar of events across its campuses in Italy and Spain, offering opportunities for dialogue, exchange and discovery open to the community and the wider public.

Don't miss it

01 October 2026 - 05 October 2026

Barcelona

IED Barcelona 2026 Postgraduate and Foundation Welcome Event

The opening of the 2026–2027 Academic Year for students on the Master’s, Postgraduate and Foundation programmes will take place on 1, 2 and 5 October.

Two reusable bottles, one green and one yellow respectively.
Exhibitions and Festival

06 October 2026 - 01 September 2027

Barcelona

“The Beetle Bottle” and “Mis queridos Ascos” at “Matter Matters. Designing with the World”

The projects created by IED Barcelona alumni Abdelaziz Moustafa (Product Design) and Violeta Mata (Fashion Design) have been selected to be part of this exhibition at the Museu del Disseny-DHub.

Exhibitions and Festival

08 October 2026 - 31 October 2026

Turin

IED Torino x Torino Design City

From October 8 to 31, 2026, IED Torino will take part with three student projects exploring ecological and environmental transition, as part of a programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops focused on design and innovation.

Workshop

14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026

Barcelona

Service Design Disrupted - Satellite Workshops

IED Barcelona hosts one Satellite Workshop ahead of the international conference organised by Service Design Disrupted as part of Barcelona Design Week.

Medium shot of a middle-aged man looking at the camera with his arms crossed
Lecture and Panel discussion

14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026

Barcelona

"Future life positions through Food Design"

An online masterclass in which renowned designer Martí Guixé will explore creative perspectives and innovative ideas for rethinking how we design, produce and experience food for a more sustainable future.

Workshop

15 October 2026 - 15 October 2026

Multiple

IED Creative Workshop

Come and discover IED’s Creative Workshops — a unique experience that will let you immerse yourself in the world of design in a fun and creative way!

Illustration of a person holding various drawing tools, set against a yellow background.
Exhibitions and Festival

17 October 2026 - 17 October 2026

Barcelona

Barcelona Dibuixa 2026: “The Power of Hand Drawing”

IED Barcelona is offering this workshop, where participants will discover, guided by architect and lecturer Gianfranco La Cognata – Laco 2, how design takes shape through illustration.