Food Design

Language

Spanish

Start date

October 2027

Frequency

Afternoons and Saturdays

Duration

9 Months

Creation of innovative design products and experiences at a centre of excellence in this discipline.

The Master in Food Design at IED Kunsthal Bilbao was the first programme in Spain to address the creation and management of innovative projects for the food industry and gastronomy-related sectors through design thinking.

Through experimentation and a critical approach, you will learn how to design or reinvent products and experiences in an efficient and sustainable way to meet the challenges of a sector that needs to move towards responsible consumption and requires specialised professional profiles.

Along the way, you will discover specific techniques, processes, skills and methodologies to promote innovation in the food sector, using tools such as research, creativity and communication. Finally, during the development of the Food Experience Event Design project, students will take part in an international collaboration with IED Firenze, including an academic stay in Florence focused on creative exchange, research, and project development within an international context.

Information to decide

Advanced training designed by one of the largest educational groups in design, integrating this discipline into the field of gastronomy to drive innovation.

In this master´s degree you’ll study theory and gain experience to give you the mindset you need to set up and implement an effective research process. 

You’ll discover how to analyse information to prepare work plans and propose viable concepts, using conceptualisation strategies to develop sustainable, feasible, innovative ideas. 

The program is based on face-to-face classes with visits to companies, laboratories, research centres and Food Design spaces.

The Master’s Degree in Food Design is a cross-disciplinary program for students and graduates in different fields of design (graphic design, product design, interior design, etc.). 

Managers and/or directors of companies operating in the food sector who want to update their vision of the gastronomic and food world from a creative perspective will also find this program particularly interesting and useful.

It’s also ideal for professionals working in architecture, professionals working in marketing or communication and people who work directly or indirectly in the food sector and the culinary arts.

This is the first master’s programme in Spain to combine gastronomy and design thinking to promote innovation. It is therefore a pioneering programme in its field, as it introduces the design perspective to promote new professional profiles in high demand.

The only private center for higher education in design in the Basque Country, IED Kunsthal Bilbao is also part of an international network, with 11 campuses in Italy, Spain and Brazil, which boasts over 50 years of history in design education.

Studying in Bilbao is an advantage, because you will develop your education in an area of international gastronomic prestige, coming into contact with leading companies and building a solid networking.

At the end of your training, you will have acquired the profile of a food designer capable of working on your own or holding positions in the research and development, communication and marketing departments of food companies.

 

Syllabus

MODULE 1 THEORY AND KNOWLEDGE

Nutrition and food technology
Cutting-edge technology and food tech.
Hospitality, industry, and the avant-garde
Food art
Consumer goods and business management
Biomaterials and sustainability



MODULE 2 MARKETING, COMMUNICATION, AUDIOVISUALS, AND DESIGN:

Gastronomic and consumer marketing
Branding and packaging
Gastronomic photography
Communication and audiovisual tools, 3D design, and prototyping



MODULE 3 LOCAL PROJECT

Product identification and seasonality (Sustainability and consumer habits)
Manual and mechanical harvesting and production processes
The evolution of foodstuffs and returning to an ancestral diet
The colour range, shape and texture of food
Designations of Origin, regulations and regulatory bodies



MODULE 4 FOOD EVENT

Event organization
Project management
Interior design for gastronomic spaces
Social trends in food
Project 2
Utensil and support design



MODULE 4: TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES

Food Tech. Science and nutrition
Cereals and bread
Fruit and vegetables
Meat and fish
Design and extra virgin olive oil
Design and sweet things
Drinks and food pairing



Master's Thesis

Research
Economic viability
Communication
Mentoring
Brainstorming



MODULE 6: FINAL PROJECT

Art Direction and briefing
Project development, feasibility and execution
Coordination and implementation
Communication Strategies and Public Speaking 

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Maddalen Arrecubieta

Teacher

Elsa Yranzo

Teacher

Iván Merino

Teacher

Víctor Caleya

Teacher

Carlos Hurtado

Teacher

Santos Bregaña

Teacher

Marta Arrecubieta

Teacher

Aitor Buendía

Teacher

Virginia Matesanz Riaño

Teacher

Cesc Grau

Teacher

Pablo García San Gines

Teacher

Adele Orcajada

Teacher

Idoia García de Cortázar

Teacher

Eli Pérez Pagola

Teacher

Jonathan García

Teacher

Martí Guixe

Teacher

Teresa De Juan Estelrich

Projects

Product and Service Design

Bilbao

Final projects / thesis projects
Caldo de Ojo

Product and Service Design

Bilbao

Final projects / thesis projects
Cafés Fortaleza for the Silver Economy

News

06 October 2026

Public Program IED.60, October 2026

This month, IED’s Public Program continues to take design beyond the classroom, creating opportunities for dialogue with audiences, cultural institutions, businesses and professional communities.

05 October 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao opens the 2026/27 Master and Postgraduate academic year with Toni Segarra

The day combined an institutional welcome for new students with an open, intergenerational conversation on creativity, talent, teamwork and the transformation of the profession.

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?

Don't miss it

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.

Exhibitions and Festival

10 October 2026 - 11 October 2026

Mexico City

Edicola IED Travels to Mexico Design Week

Notes on Plural Intelligences will be showcased at Latin America's leading design event as part of Diseño Contenido on 10 and 11 October.

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.

Interior of an educational center with a courtyard with plants, stairs and banners
Workshop

21 October 2026 - 21 October 2026

Barcelona

Strategic Design Clinic: What we need to disrupt the future

A collaborative experience within the framework of Barcelona Design Week that brings together alumni, professionals, innovation leaders, students and experts in Strategic Design Management to address real-world challenges through strategic thinking and design.

Exhibitions and Festival

23 October 2026 - 25 October 2026

Madrid

IED Madrid in the 7th Edition of Recreo Book Art Fair

The school is developing GRADA, a collaborative project with Recreo that transforms the fair’s auditorium into a space for meeting, play and participation