First Level Academic Diploma in Advertising Communication - IED Firenze

Language

Italian

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Years

Credits

180 CFA / ECTS

Course Coordination

Alessandra Foschi

The evolution of communication and digital technologies has made it essential to train professionals who can conceive and develop effective and innovative visual strategies. For this reason, the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design offers comprehensive training combining theory, practice and experimentation across the various fields of visual communication and advertising design.

Throughout the programme, you will learn how to design and develop integrated advertising campaigns, craft visual narratives and use key graphic, digital and multimedia tools to enhance the identity of brands and institutions. You will explore subjects such as art direction, copywriting, storytelling, web and interaction design, social media management, photography and video techniques, building a solid skill set that combines visual culture with practical expertise.

Course structure and contents:

The programme spans three years, integrating design with cultural knowledge, dialogue with professionals, technical skills and innovative tools. The aim is to train students to experiment with the different modes and expressive possibilities of visual communication design.

First Year: Students acquire the foundations of visual design and communication, learning to use the main graphic software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and to develop a sound design approach through practical exercises, supported by theoretical courses in art history and communication. Theory, techniques and practices of copywriting are also introduced.

Second Year: Technical and creative skills are strengthened through the design of complete advertising campaigns and digital content, with a focus on branding, social media and multimedia. Exercises include video, web design and digital marketing. Theoretical subjects such as media history and phenomenology, and sociology of communication, support the practical disciplines, enabling students to produce finished projects.

Third Year: Students tackle complex projects and simulated professional contexts, culminating in the thesis, which may consist of an advertising campaign, an editorial or multimedia project such as a web video commercial, interactive social media content or an experiential website for a brand launch. Through interdisciplinary workshops, real projects and professional simulations, students develop a personal expressive language that prepares them to work across the various sectors of visual communication: advertising, digital publishing, events, visual storytelling and multimedia production.

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Alessandra Foschi

Elena Paganelli

Copywriter    

Elisa Barbieri

Brand Strategist & Communication Consultant

Paola Donatiello

Professor

Cristina Andolcetti

Photographer

David Hartono

Visual Artist

Elena Fei

Graphic Designer

Piero Fragola

Diego Fontana

Andrea Paglia

Communication and Marketing Consultant

Maurizio Rossi

Strategy Analyst and Copywriter    

Tommaso Bovo

Art Director & Graphic Designer

Simone Petracchi

Photographer

Marco Innocenti

Art Director

Camilla Mozzato

Curator

Cecilia Lentini

Performance Art Director    

Francesca Pazzagli

Architect & Set Designer

Luca Parenti

Art Director    

Jany Martelli

Digital Consultant & Front-end developer    

Alessio Bertini

Responsible for the area of education, accessibility and special projects

Laura Ottina

Professor    

Roberta Parollo

Marketing and Communication Consultant

Francesco Marcantoni

Project Manager    

Stefania Pelliccia

Illustrator    

Projects

Creative and Art Direction

Florence

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Creative and Art Direction

Florence

Deliveroo

Creative and Art Direction

Florence

Estate Fiorentina

Course partner

News

“TypoLAB”, del alumno Gonzalo Muñoz, premiado en los Young Ones Student Awards

13 May 2026

“TypoLAB,” by student Gonzalo Muñoz, wins an award at the Young Ones Student Awards

This student's project for the Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design has been awarded a Student Merit

12 May 2026

One Show New York: IED stands out with a Silver Pencil and 7 Merits

Students representing IED’s Milan, Rome, and Turin campuses received their prizes at the official New York City ceremony held on May 11th.

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

The creative talent of IED Barcelona takes the stage at ADC*E High Potentials 2026

Irina Kavtaradze, a fourth-year Advertising student, was one of the 30 new talents selected from 170 international applications to present her portfolio on the DHub stage before leading European agencies and studios.

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

The gaudeamusPROJECTA Awards recognise IED Barcelona Visual Arts

“Sutura”, by IED Barcelona Graphic Design alumnus Carmina Goran, is one of the 24 projects selected in the 9th edition of the awards celebrating emerging talent in graphic design and excellence in education.

30 April 2026

IED Milano partner in an international collaboration programme with Dnipro University of Technology

Communication Design students taking part in an interactive workshop with faculty members from the Ukrainian university.

28 April 2026

IED Milano partner in the international Blended Intensive Programme

The programme has been coordinated by ENSAV La Cambre, Brussels.

Forbes Next Leaders – IED Student designs the April cover of Next Leaders | © Forbes Next Leaders - Studentessa IED firma la copertina di aprile di Next Leaders

27 April 2026

Forbes Next Leaders: the April cover designed by Giada Boselli

IED and Forbes Next Leaders continue their shared journey with the development of the third cover of the magazine, created for the month of April.

Don't miss it

Type Design Month → un mes dedicado a la tipografía en IED Madrid
Exhibitions and Festival

07 May 2026 - 29 May 2026

Madrid

Type Design Month → a month dedicated to typography at IED Madrid

Until the 29th of May, IED Madrid Design District explores typography as a contemporary language across practice, experimentation, and visual culture.

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

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.

Lecture and Panel discussion

28 May 2026 - 28 May 2026

Florence

Reflections with Emiliano Ponzi

Emiliano Ponzi will lead a conversation exploring his visual universe and the relationship between image-making, storytelling, and contemporary experimentation.