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

Architect

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

Nature where you least expect it

Creative and Art Direction

Florence

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Creative and Art Direction

Florence

Didactic projects
Deliveroo

Creative and Art Direction

Florence

Estate Fiorentina

Course partner

News

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?

11 September 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao temporarily transforms Doña Casilda Park with ‘Sareak’

A cross-disciplinary project bringing together nearly 200 members of the community to reflect on contemporary communication through design.

07 September 2026

Fashion show and festival: the IED Public Programme is back

In September, IED's Public Program returns with a calendar of events across its campuses in Italy and Spain, offering opportunities for dialogue, exchange and discovery open to the community and the wider public.

02 September 2026

Six talents from the IED community to take part in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

EGO, the catwalk dedicated to emerging fashion designers, will feature four alumni and one student from our community this year, while lecturer Juan Vidal will present his collection at a private, invitation-only event.

28 August 2026

What does sustainability mean for a design school?

When discussing sustainability, the debate often focuses on environmental impacts and the responsible use of resources. But what does sustainability mean, in practical terms, for a school that educates future designers, creatives and professionals capable of driving change?

31 July 2026

Forbes Next Leaders: Alumna Chiara Robino designs the August cover

The collaboration between IED and Forbes Next Leaders continues: for the August issue, the cover was designed by Chiara Robino, Alumna in Illustration from IED Torino in the 2025/26 academic year.

27 July 2026

IED Barcelona Graduation Day – Master's Degrees and Postgraduate Programmes 2026

Held on 23 July, the graduation ceremony marked the successful completion of this stage of academic study at the school for 67 students.

17 July 2026

Priscilla Fois brings her art to Urban Break Korea

IED Roma alumna Priscilla Fois has been selected to participate in Urban Break Korea, one of the leading international festivals dedicated to urban art.

16 July 2026

This Is What the Future of Visual Arts Looks Like

Recent graduates from the IED Barcelona's Graphic Design, Advertising, and Motion Graphics and Video programmes presented their final projects at Barcelona XR Lab. Data, text, image and sound come together to explore the global order and reframe systems for navigating the world.

Don't miss it

14 September 2026 - 18 September 2026

Barcelona

IED Barcelona 2026 Undergraduate Welcome Week

The welcome event for undergraduate students, teachers and staff to mark the official opening of the new academic year will take place on Monday 14 September.

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

An open notebook showing two pencil sketches, one of a lamp and the other of designer handbags
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.