Language

English

Start date

September 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

9 Months

In this course you’ll discover what design is, what exactly you can do with it, and how far you can go in each area, developing your ideation skills and creative talent in a cross-disciplinary syllabus based on learning by doing.

You’ll develop your artistic identity as a designer with a full understanding of exactly which areas of design are best suited to your skills and create your first portfolio in those areas.

The course gives you an overall view of the sector: product design, interior design, fashion design and graphic design. In this 1-year course you’ll acquire the comprehensive fundamentals of design, essential for taking your first steps as a designer. 

This programme is taught at IED Madrid Design District - Oporto. 

Information to decide

This course lets you try your hand at all areas of design, so you can make the best decision when choosing your specialty. 

The focus of the course is mainly on hands-on experience, so you’ll acquire theoretical knowledge to be used in an applied way, with priority given to dynamic experimentation and active participation. In other words, as well as studying theory and technique, you’ll gain experience in design workshops to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

The course is split into didactic blocks where you’ll learn to use basic design tools as you get to know and find your feet in its four fundamental fields: product design, fashion design, interior design and graphic design. 

You’ll find a strong commitment to encouraging creative design for sustainable development and innovation in this course, a common goal shared by lecturers and student alike.

This course is for creative people who want to find out more about all areas of design in a cross-disciplinary learning experience. 

If you’re thinking about taking a degree in design at IED Madrid, but aren’t sure which speciality is best, you’ll be in a better position to make an informed decision with the knowledge acquired in this Foundation Course in Total Design.

This 1-year course is also worth considering if you need to create a portfolio in Design Fundamentals to apply for a Bachelor's degree at another university, as you’ll be developing a portfolio as the course progresses. 

Madrid is a city with a thriving design culture so you’ll be close to a variety of institutions dedicated to art, and it’s also the place some of the top professionals choose to make their base, both for the Spanish and the international markets.

Syllabus

What will you learn?

In this 1-year course you’ll discover the fundamentals of design and learn to use the most useful tools for various design specialties: product design, fashion design, interior design and graphic design. We’ll also help you focus on the speciality you’re most interested in and create your own global design portfolio. 



SUBJETCS

Design Fundamentals

Design Process

Drawing

Volume

Artistic Thinking

Sustainable Thinking

Systems Thinking

Digital Tools

Drawing Expression

Ideation and Creative Process

Fashion Design

Product Design

Graphic Design

Interior Design

Personal Portfolio

Faculty

Teacher

Oskar Ranz

Visual Artist

Teacher

Diego Iglesias Gómez

Teacher

Nadia Nadesan

Teacher

Lorena Madrazo

Teacher

Alex Henkes

Projects

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Madrid

Final projects / thesis projects
Sólidos Amorphos

News

12 January 2026

Stéphane Rolland’s haute couture at IED Barcelona

The star guest of the 10th Barcelona Bridal Night at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 26 visits the school to discover the creations by alumni of the Postgraduate Programme in Bridal and Occasionwear Design, who will open the runway show next 22 April.

12 January 2026

Portfolio Review Design 2026

The annual showcase of standout projects by final-year students in Interior, Product, Transportation and Business Design at IED Barcelona presented innovative proposals that envision the companies, objects, homes and vehicles of the future.

08 January 2026

TDC 71 Exhibition connects New York with Bilbao, Barcelona, and Madrid

A traveling exhibition that brings together a leading international selection of typography, calligraphy, and lettering across fields such as identity, editorial design, and applied graphics.

19 December 2025

IED Barcelona celebrates Graduation Day for a hundred students from Master's and Specialisation Courses

The event recognises their successful journey through their studies at the school.

18 December 2025

New April intake for Master’s Programs in Italy

Starting April 2026, IED launches new Fashion Masters in English. An international, hands-on path designed to build the skills demanded by the global fashion industry.

Green lettering on a blue background with the copy Welcome Event 26

18 December 2025

Welcome event Postgraduate 2025/2026 - IED Barcelona

It will take place on 15 and 16 January for Master's, Postgraduate and Specialization Course students.

Environmental Psychology and Interior Design: The Influence of Space

15 December 2025

Environmental Psychology and Interior Design: The Influence of Space

How to design interior spaces that enhance psychological well‑being

04 December 2025

IED Turin signs the visual for “Alice Oltre lo Specchio – Best of Cannes” the event showcasing the best of international creativity

The visual concept for the sixth edition was created by Chiara Basili and Letizia Donetti, Graphic Design students, with a project born from an image suspended in space and time.

03 December 2025

IED Turin Photography Students capture Casa Tennis and Casa Gusto during the ATP Finals

A fresh, creative perspective on Turin’s major events, blending sport, culture, and community.

Don't miss it

Projects Presentation

12 January 2026 - 31 January 2026

Bilbao

Opening of the Graphic Installation at the Papelera Building

Drawing from the work of the American artist Barbara Kruger, IED Kunsthal Bilbao articulates a generational message that invites reflection on the role of image and communication in the urban space.

Encuentro Loewe Foundation Craft Prize - 20 enero 19.30h - Serrería belga
Lecture and Panel discussion

20 January 2026 - 20 January 2026

Madrid

Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Talk – 20th January 7.30 pm - Serrería belga

A talk about contemporary craftsmanship on the occasion of the ninth edition of LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize

Open Day

24 January 2026 - 24 January 2026

Multiple

IED Open Day Italy

A calendar of appointments to discover all training courses IED Italy in the areas of Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, Cinema, Communication, Art and Restoration.

Lecture and Panel discussion

25 February 2026 - 25 February 2026

Barcelona

IED MUSES Talks: Omar Sosa

The co-founder of ‘Apartamento Magazine’ will be the second guest of the second season of the IED’s inspirational talk series. The event will take place on 25 February 2026 at 6:30 pm at IED Barcelona.

Lecture and Panel discussion

05 March 2026 - 05 March 2026

Bilbao

IED MUSES Talks: Albert Folch

Creative director Albert Folch, currently working as an independent creative, headlines a new IED MUSES Talks session on March 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm at IED Kunsthal Bilbao.