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

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

11 May 2026

Design tells its story at the Turin International Book Fair with EDICOLA IED

From 14 to 18 May, a newsstand of creativity presents the first two issues of Notes on Plural Intelligences alongside a selection of the best Italian and international magazines, accompanied by a programme of talks and workshops exploring themes of design, publishing and contemporary communication

11 May 2026

Silvia Brandi brings the second season of IED MUSES Talks to a close

The Italian architect and cultural manager shared her vision on sustainability, design and rural revitalisation in the episode that concludes the second edition of the IED’s inspirational talks series.

07 May 2026

IED.60 Public Program - May: between Plural Intelligences and the culture of design

The programme of IED events open to both the internal and external communities continues in may; it was launched to mark the 60th anniversary as a collective reflection on the role of design.

06 May 2026

IED at the “Lápiz de Acero” Award in Colombia

IED joins Lápiz de Acero 2026 in Bogotá, supporting emerging talent and the future of design.

22 April 2026

Honourable Mention at the DBEW Award 2026 for two IED Torino alumni

The first edition of the DBEW Award saw two IED Torino alumni among its leading protagonists

20 April 2026

“Caliu”, by alumnus Judith Aubà, to be exhibited in “Matter Matters. Designing with the World”

The project has been selected by the Museu del Disseny-DHub as part of the annual “Matèria Prima” open call to feature in this exhibition, which rethinks the relationship with matter understood as an active agent.

17 April 2026

Vote for IED Madrid projects among the ten finalists in Accor Design Awards 2026

For the second year running, four IED Madrid students have reached the grand final, placing their projects among the best in the world

16 April 2026

X-plorer, by alumni Aaron Gonzalo selected for the ADI-FAD Delta Medals 2026

The jury has selected only 15 projects out of the 104 submitted, forming the Delta Medals 2026 Selection, including X-plorer, Aaron Gonzalo’s Final Degree Project.

15 April 2026

More than 9,800 students took part in the AQU Catalunya and Catalan universities' mass survey on recent graduate satisfaction

Responses will be used to identify areas for improvement in the higher education studies currently offered in the Catalan university system and in higher artistic education centres.

Don't miss it

Exhibitions and Festival

28 April 2026 - 30 September 2026

Barcelona

“Caliu” in “Matter Matters. Designing with the World”

The project “Caliu”, by IED Barcelona alumnus Judith Aubà, has been selected to form part of this exhibition, which reflects on the major challenges facing design today and in the future at a critical time marked by the scarcity of raw materials.

HYPER FUTURES. DISEÑAR MÁS ALLÁ DEL CAPITALISMO
Lecture and Panel discussion

08 May 2026 - 22 May 2026

Madrid

HYPER FUTURES. DESIGNING BEYOND CAPITALISM

Exhibition from 8 to 22nd May. On 8th of May we will celebrate an event with a workshop on the future, a panel discussion and the opening of the exhibition featuring dj Umami

Exhibitions and Festival

18 May 2026 - 22 May 2026

Barcelona

“Discovering Feed Your Future”

The Ateneu de Fabricació de Gràcia hosts this exhibition of projects that explore new responses to climate change and food sustainability.

Lecture and Panel discussion

19 May 2026 - 19 May 2026

Florence

Ettore Sottsass: Design as Storytelling

As part of the exhibition Io sono un architetto. Ettore Sottsass, organized by Fondazione Pistoia Musei (Palazzo Buontalenti, until July 26), IED presents a special event dedicated to one of the most influential figures in Italian and international design.

Lecture and Panel discussion

22 May 2026 - 22 May 2026

Rome

Twins: Conversations on the Duality between Identity, Transformation and Contemporary Imaginaries

Four lectures and a final talk exploring how brands, organizations and individuals navigate change and redefine their identity across physical, symbolic and digital dimensions.