NEW

Language

Spanish

Start date

July 2027

Frequency

Part-time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

5 days

Credits

25 Hours

Price

1.300 €

Learn how to develop packaging solutions that address today’s environmental challenges by integrating design, materials, production and circular economy principles throughout the process.

The Summer Course in Sustainable Packaging Design and Production introduces you to the development of packaging designed to minimise its environmental impact without compromising functionality, brand identity or user experience. You will discover how design decisions directly influence production, logistics and a product’s life cycle.

In a context shaped by the transformation of the industry, new European regulations and growing demand for sustainable solutions, packaging has become a strategic area for companies and design professionals. Today, it is essential to understand how to apply ecodesign principles, select responsible materials and develop packaging suited to a circular economy model.

Over the course of one week, you will acquire introductory knowledge of sustainability applied to packaging, life cycle assessment, materials, production processes, prototyping and strategies to improve packaging recyclability, reusability and efficiency.

Through theoretical content and practical sessions, you will learn how to develop sustainable packaging proposals, understanding how design decisions affect the production process as well as distribution, consumption and the management of packaging at the end of its useful life.

Information to decide

A unique course in Bilbao where you will discover how to design packaging that responds to the current needs of the industry and the challenges of sustainability.

The course is structured into different thematic blocks covering all stages of sustainable packaging development, from ecodesign principles to production, logistics and product communication.

A key feature is its commitment to project-based learning, a methodology that brings students closer to real-life industry situations and enables them to immediately apply the knowledge acquired through practical exercises and projects.

The programme combines theoretical sessions with hands-on workshops coordinated by Núria Vila, a graphic designer and art director specialising in visual identity, packaging and sustainable communication, together with professionals with experience in design, production and sustainability.

This course requires basic knowledge of graphic design or product design, as well as a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

It may be of particular interest to:

  • Students of graphic design or product design who want to specialise in sustainable packaging.
  • Graphic and product designers interested in incorporating sustainability criteria into their projects.
  • Packaging industry professionals who want to update their knowledge of materials, production processes and the circular economy.
  • Technical professionals working in the packaging and container industry, including production, engineering, quality, processes or R&D, who want to understand the impact of sustainable design on manufacturing and packaging life cycles.

The Summer Course in Sustainable Packaging Design and Production offers a comprehensive approach to responsible packaging development, bringing together design, materials, production, logistics and communication—areas that are often studied separately.

Its practical and applied approach provides an understanding of the real challenges facing an industry undergoing major transformation, driven by innovation, the circular economy and new regulatory requirements.

Taking this experience at IED Kunsthal Bilbao means studying at a school committed to sustainability and responsible design, in an environment where creativity and innovation are placed at the service of solutions with a positive impact.

Syllabus

Introduction

The environmental impact of conventional packaging

The principles of sustainability, ecodesign and circularity

Reduce, reuse, recycle (and compost)

Legislation, regulations and certifications



Designing for Sustainability

Packaging life cycle assessment

Identifying clear and achievable sustainability goals

Innovation in sustainable design

The importance of timelessness

Space optimisation, weight reduction, modularity and foldability



Materials

Minimising the use of resources

Selecting sustainable materials



Sustainable Production Processes

Supplier evaluation and selection

Collaborative innovation

Production management



Transport and Distribution

The environmental impact of transport and distribution

Identifying efficient routes

Return and refill systems



Monitoring and Evaluation

Regular evaluations

Implementing improvements

Continuous innovation



Communication and Transparency

The importance of transparency with clients, suppliers and end users

Standardised symbols

Storytelling and awareness

Clear information on reuse, recycling or composting

Faculty

Núria Vila

News

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.

Two girls holding a paper program in front of a design festival poster

02 October 2026

Brut! 2026 brings two new creative voices from IED Barcelona to the stage

Visual Arts graduates Irina Kavtaradze and Kyla Henry took part in the event where leading design schools showcase their outstanding final degree projects, held on 1 and 2 October at Disseny Hub Barcelona.

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01 October 2026

A graphic design by IED Barcelona features on the 2026 Travessa Matagalls-Montserrat T-shirt

The design by Visual Arts student Hannah Bokelman was chosen for the T-shirt worn by the 3,000 participants in the event, a non-competitive endurance walk held on 19 and 20 September.

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.

29 September 2026

Six emerging IED designers reach the final stage of the Arts Thread Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2026

Alumni Mariona Panés, Sara Vainer, Miranda Sanz, Malak Yahia and Victoria Escobar (IED Barcelona), together with Zuriñe Berrueta (IED Kunsthal Bilbao), are finalists in the competition, which last year attracted more than 5,000 creatives from 117 countries. Discover their projects and vote!

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.

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Exhibitions and Festival

16 September 2026 - 07 October 2026

Genova

The horizon of desire: stories from Genoa’s Waterfronts.

Six perspectives, a city in transition. IED Turin showcases Genoa’s Porto Antico and the Levante Waterfront in a photography exhibition at Palazzo Ducale

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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.

IED on Tour

07 October 2026 - 07 October 2026

Bogotá

IED in Colombia

What happens when memory becomes code? IED heads to Bogotá to explore the answer, where design, data and the living archive meet.

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.

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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!

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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.

Exhibitions and Festival

06 November 2026 - 07 November 2026

Barcelona

Mira Digital Arts Festival 2026

IED Barcelona returns as an artistic partner and will take part in the digital arts and contemporary music festival with “Ananke: A Liturgy”, an interactive installation by Motion Graphics and Video alumna Malak Yahia.