Summer Course in Design - Made in Italy - IED Firenze

Language

English

Start date

June 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Weeks

Course Coordination

Francesco Toselli

Price

2.800 €

Design Made in Italy Summer course focuses on the basic skills and methodologies employed in product design, understanding the quality of Made in Italy products, especially in craftsmanship-based Italian SMEs. 

During the course you will have the chance to explore and learn more about Florence as a historical city of design and fashion that has reinvented itself over the centuries and that in an age of globalization has a relevant role in the world of design, merging high-end craftsmanship and innovation processes.

You will comprehend industrial and manufacturing design processes, you will learn how to merge cultural and historical factors with product and brand communication elements in order to develop - innovation based - design projects.

Information to decide

The course allows you to discover the authenticity and the history of the Italian craftsmanship, and learn that the success of the ‘Italian design system’ is based on the dialogue between handicraft and new technology. You will acquire basic design knowledge and understand the supply chain that determines the quality of a finished product.

The theoretical notions acquired during the course are applied in modelling and design workshops.
During the Final Project presentation together with your fellow you will show the results of the work carried out through the course.

Summer course includes a strategic combination of theoretical lessons, held by designers and professionals of the field, cultural field trips, workshops and visits to handicraft stores.
Site visits are an integral part of the program’s learning experience and are designed to complement what is acquired in the classroom as well as serve as an on-going orientation to the field.

From Monday to Thursday on a full time basis (morning and afternoon), the course has a duration of 75 hours spread over 3 weeks.

This course is intended for people who are interested in the world of design and have no prior knowledge or experience in the discipline and want to learn and take on challenges. Skills such as drawing or sketching can be useful even if not mandatory. Applicants need to show strong motivation and the ability to work in groups.

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Francesco Toselli

Product Designer

Chiara Santini

Set Designer

Jacopo Battisti

Architect and Fashion designer

Andrea Sicuro

Fashion & Interior Designer

What people say

Design - Made in Italy

Celia Mae, student from Oregon, talks about her experience during the Summer Course in Florence.

Celia Mae Hubbard

Alumna IED

News

28 October 2026

National Portfolio Day Milan 2026

In its 60th anniversary year, IED hosts the Milan edition of National Portfolio Day, the international event for anyone who wants to study or specialize in art, design, fashion and visual communication.

27 October 2026

Keiji Takeuchi: Design between objects and context

Keiji Takeuchi guides second-year students of the Product Design BA Degree at IED Milano through a design journey exploring the relationship between objects, people and their surroundings, combining research, model-making and observation of everyday life.

Art and design exhibition featuring two central rocks sewn with printed fabrics

23 October 2026

“Valor Ancestral: Latam Creative Talent 2026” makes a stop at IED Barcelona

Following its presentation at IED Madrid and ahead of its move to IED Kunsthal Bilbao, the latest edition of the international exhibition, an initiative promoted by IED since 2022, was on display to coincide with the Barcelona campus’s activities as part of Barcelona Design Week.

Young woman showing off her award at the event's photocall

20 October 2026

Pentawards 2026 recognises IED Barcelona’s packaging design with Gold and Silver awards

“SOLMOD”, by Sofía Millán, and “Drop”, by Livia Ylldiz Struga, both second-year Product Design students, competed in the category for student concepts that have not yet been brought to market.

16 October 2026

The Word for Border is Water

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

16 October 2026

The three IED projects selected for the ADI Design Index 2026

Textile Refugee (IED Milano), EVOluzione and Sei Complice (IED Roma) are in the running for the 2028 Compasso d’Oro in the Targa Giovani category.

15 October 2026

(AB)NORMAL STUDIO and IED Milano rethink workspaces

Davide Masserini, co-founder of (AB)NORMAL Studio, will teach second-year students in the Product Design course at IED Milano.

13 October 2026

Public Spiritualism: rethinking public space through design

IED Milano hosts the danish artist Thomas Poulsen for the workshop Public Spiritualism addressed to 3rd year Product Design students.

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.

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.

Lecture and Panel discussion

19 November 2026 - 19 November 2026

Barcelona

“Future Frugal: Crafting conviviality in a new ‘age of scarcity’“

Renowned architect Francesca Sarti will lead this online masterclass, exploring how craft, design and anthropology can help us reimagine our relationship with food, materials and the environment.