Language

English

Start date

July 2026

Frequency

Part-time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Weeks

Learn to align strategy, impact and communication in a new brand model.

Sustainability is no longer an option, it’s a necessity. In this context, brands have the power to drive significant change that has a real, positive impact. Use branding with purpose to create authentic narratives, connect with communities and transform business models. 

The Summer course in Branding for Sustainable Futures gives you a strategic, innovative and practical vision to build and manage brands that can meet the social, environmental and economic challenges of today and the future. You’ll learn to use innovation, systemic thinking, and sustainability tools to develop resilient and responsible brands. 

For three weeks in Barcelona, ​​you’ll work on real projects and reflect on the role you can play as a professional in the world of branding, a world in which commitment, transparency and transformation are essential. 

Information to decide

A strategic and creative course to learn how to build brands with purpose, design authentic narratives and combine sustainability, innovation and business value.

A dynamic, practical course based on the development of real projects and collaborative learning. You’ll gain experience in theoretical sessions, creative workshops, case study analysis and group activities. 

The course covers four key areas: 

  • Foundations and strategy: Introduction to sustainable branding, triple impact (people, planet, benefit), case study analysis and project launch. 
  • Strategic brand development: Value proposal, stakeholder mapping, brand positioning, green marketing vs greenwashing. 
  • Narratives and communication: Storytelling for sustainable brands, digital content, social networks, authentic communication. 
  • Implementation and future: Impact and measurement, innovation, planning future scenarios, concluding the project. 

You’ll also participate in collective presentations, debate sessions and problem-solving workshops, in a creative and professional setting. 

If you have basic knowledge of graphic design, visual communication or brand identity and want to apply that experience to developing sustainable brands that have a positive impact, this is the course for you. 

Ideal for people: 

  • Who have studied design, the fine arts, communication, advertising or photography. 
  • People who want to develop strategic design or branding projects. 

Entrepreneurs interested in branding with a critical and transformative outlook.

The Summer Course in Branding for Sustainable Futures gives you the tools you need to design brands that make their mark, brands that embrace the values ​​and meet the expectations of a new generation of conscientious consumers. 

Learn to combine strategy, creativity and sustainability to build brands that are solid, significant and committed. Explore trends, success stories and applied tools. Develop projects with purpose, innovation and real value. 

Study in Barcelona, ​​a creative, vibrant and open city where people from all over the world rub shoulders with professionals taking the initiative and working with institutions committed to use design as a driver of change. 

Syllabus

MODULE 1: FOUNDATIONS & STRATEGY

Sustainable Branding Fundamentals   

• Introduction to sustainable branding principles 
• Triple impact approach to branding (people, planet and benefit) 
• Current panorama of sustainable brands 
• Case study analysis 
• Project launch 

Strategic Brand Development  

• Creating sustainable value proposals 
• Stakeholder mapping and participation  
• Brand positioning for sustainability 
• Green marketing vs greenwashing 



MODULE 2: NARRATIVES & COMMUNICATION

Brand Storytelling  

• Creating authentic sustainable narratives 
• Digital storytelling techniques 
• Content creation for sustainable brands 
• Social network strategy 

Innovation & Implementation  

• Circular economy applied to branding 
• Sustainable technology and solutions 
• Community involvement strategies 
• Intercultural considerations 



MODULE 3: IMPLEMENTATION & FUTURE

Impact & Measurement  

• Measuring brand sustainability impact 
• Building long-term brand value 
• Future sustainable branding trends 
• Innovation in sustainable practices 

Integration & Application  

• Project completion 
• Implementation strategies 
• Problem solving workshops 
• Planning future scenarios 

News

Overhead view of a labyrinth of fabric panels and light

10 February 2026

IED Barcelona bathes Llum BCN 26 in warm light

The lighting design installation “Fabric Maze”, a labyrinth of fabrics, lights and shadows inspired by the textile past of the Poblenou neighbourhood, created warm visual compositions with each visitor’s passage.

09 February 2026

Creativity, design and architecture at the Workshop Week 2026

From 2 to 6 February, 430 students at IED Barcelona took part in this annual multidisciplinary academic activity, which offered 25 multidisciplinary workshops inspired by the Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026 event. And, for the first time, it included mobility between campuses.

04 February 2026

punto—trama LAB: workshops for young designers

After its first edition, punto—trama continues its journey as a space for dialogue and experimentation dedicated to young designers.

Poster for the Saló Ensenyament 2026 showing two cheerful young people against a blue background

03 February 2026

IED Barcelona at Saló de l’Ensenyament 2026

From 18 to 22 March, attendees at this event focused on educational guidance will have the opportunity to explore the school’s design training programmes at stand D-453, located at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc venue.

A table with various posters and images from graphic design campaigns

30 January 2026

Portfolio Review Day Visual Arts 2026

The third edition of the annual exhibition showcasing the best work by fourth-year students from the Visual Arts School at IED Barcelona brought together the personal perspectives of a new generation of creative talent.

29 January 2026

An exhibition on the value of resources and collective action

A group exhibition exploring the value of environmental resources and the role of collective action in shaping a sustainable future. The project stems from a collaboration between IED Firenze and Gruppo Plures.

26 January 2026

IED’s campuses in Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona are hosting Valor Ancestral, the travelling exhibition by Latam Creative Talent.

The exhibition will debut in Madrid on February 17 as part of the Madrid Design Festival.

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) University of Westminster and IED Madrid

22 January 2026

IED Madrid launches two University of Westminster BA (Hons) degrees

The first intake of Creative Media Arts and Fashion Marketing and Promotion begins in September 2026

General plan of a design project exhibition

12 January 2026

Portfolio Review Design 2026

The annual showcase of standout projects by final-year students in Interior, Product, Transportation and Business Design at IED Barcelona presented innovative proposals that envision the companies, objects, homes and vehicles of the future.

Don't miss it

Lecture and Panel discussion

25 February 2026 - 25 February 2026

Barcelona

IED MUSES Talks: Omar Sosa

The co-founder of ‘Apartamento Magazine’ will be the second guest of the second season of the IED’s inspirational talk series. The event will take place on 25 February 2026 at 6:30 pm at IED Barcelona.

Lecture and Panel discussion

05 March 2026 - 05 March 2026

Bilbao

IED MUSES Talks: Albert Folch

Creative director Albert Folch, currently working as an independent creative, headlines a new IED MUSES Talks session on March 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm at IED Kunsthal Bilbao.

Exhibitions and Festival

18 March 2026 - 22 March 2026

Barcelona

Saló de l’Ensenyament 2026

From 18 to 22 March, we look forward to welcoming you at stand D-453 at the Montjuïc venue of Fira de Barcelona, where you will be able to discover our educational offer in Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, Marketing and Communication. Come and visit us!