Diploma Accademico di Secondo Livello (DASL) in Visual Communication - IED Milano

Language

English, Italian

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

2 Years

Credits

120 CFA / ECTS

Course Coordination

Franco Achilli

How can visual communication tell, influence, and shape the way we experience the world and the cultural identity of the communities living in it?

In a fast-moving technological world, where imagery and information are constantly streaming in, visual communication plays a growing role as the need to build reliable and effective narratives is feeling ever more urgent today.

The Master of Arts in Visual Communication. Critical Narratives in Post-Digital Worlds investigates how the culture of visual communication can generate meaningful narratives where technology is seamlessly integrated into communication exchange patterns between communities and the environment. This approach fits into the vision of DesignXCommons, where design is regarded to integrate the commons and regenerate the planet.

This course has a focus on media analysis as a way towards building independent critical thinking and creating visual communication systems that carry meaningful and self-aware cultural and social contents. Using an interdisciplinary approachtechnical and cultural skills will be expanded as part of a curriculum where semiotics, cultural anthropology and graphic design are brought together with interaction design, motion graphics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and video storytelling to create analogue or digital projects with awareness of diverse cultural identities, while promoting social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Designing effective communication systems and strategies as part of complex scenarios calls for a thorough understanding of both social and cultural contexts where communication patterns will be placed. Likewise, an ethical and responsible use of evolving technological tools will also be implemented. Theory training is complemented by on-site practice through collaborative workshops to encourage teamwork in multidisciplinary teams while also developing projects in real-world and diverse contexts.

Career roles that can be pursued with the degree programme in Visual Communication. Critical Narratives in Post-Digital Worlds will be able to better facilitate complexity storytelling through critical, strategic, and technical skills in advertising, corporate communications, creative direction in fashion and interactive media, art communication, organising events, products and services. Continuing in Ph.D. trajectories at Italian and foreign universities will also be an option.

 

Faculty

Course Leader

Franco Achilli

Architect and designer trained at G&R Associati

Chiara Grandesso

Graphic Designer and Researcher

Carlo Branzaglia

Strategic Design and Design Education

Gian Luca Fracassi

Creative Director

Massimo Pitis

Graphic Designer and Art Director

Erica Petrillo

Curator and Researcher

Laura Lisi

Translator and Interpreter

Alessandro Curti

Journalist

Cinzia Bongino

Graphic, Information, Web designer

Erik Kessels

Curator and communication designer

Jonathan Wajskol

Visual Communication designer

Justus Oehler

Graphic Designer

Maurizio Tafuro

Director, videomaker and Photographer

Dimitris Stefanidis

Creative Director

Projects

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Fregüj

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Workshop Design methodology: research and discovery

What people say

Visual Communication. Critical Narratives in Post-Digital Worlds

Course coordinator describes the goal, the methodology and the professional opportunities of the Master of Arts in Visual Communication.

Franco Achilli

DesignXCommons

The world could be otherwise: making by making strange

"The world has become so flattened by routine that we no longer fully see the objects around us; we merely recognize them."

The workshop took place at Rifugio Amprimo (Val di Susa- Italy) and has been inspired by the statement of Russian theorist Viktor Shklovsky.

News

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.

14 April 2026

Albert Folch leads a new session of IED MUSES Talks at Bilbao

A new session of IED MUSES Talks brings together Albert Folch and Isabel Fernández to explore design from an expanded perspective.

13 April 2026

IED presents The Searchlights: the urgencies of our time through the photographs of people in their twenties

As part of EXPOSED Torino Photo Festival, IED presents the second chapter of the three-year project Ti vorrei dire, developed in collaboration with Gallerie d'Italia - Torino, a part of Intesa Sanpaolo

02 April 2026

Forbes Next Leaders: Noemi Giulianini designs the March magazine cover

Forbes Next Leaders and IED join forces to promote next-generation creativity, continuing the partnership dedicated to the Next Leaders covers.

25 March 2026

IED ranked among the world's top 100 academic institutions in the QS World University Rankings® by Subject 2026

Europe's largest Art and Design school network secures 78th place worldwide in the Art & Design discipline, marking its 60th anniversary year.

Jaime Álvarez, alumni del IED Madrid, gana el Premio Mercedes‑Benz a Mejor Colección con su firma Mans

25 March 2026

Jaime Álvarez, IED Madrid Alumni, wins Mercedes‑Benz Award for Best Collection with his brand Mans

Designer Jaime Álvarez, creator of the Mans label, receives the award at Mercedes‑Benz Fashion Week Madrid, reaffirming the talent of the IED alumni community.

19 March 2026

Plural Intelligences: IED Announces the Theme of Its 60th Anniversary

IED reveals Plural Intelligences, the theme dedicated to the 60th anniversary of its foundation, which will take place in 2026.

Moisés Nieto, alumni del IED Madrid, premiado como Mejor Diseñador en los Premios L’Oréal Paris

17 March 2026

Moisés Nieto, IED Madrid alumni, awarded Best Designer at the L’Oréal Paris Awards

The designer receives one of the industry’s top recognitions, consolidating a career defined by innovation and responsible production

Forbes Next Leaders – IED Student designs the February cover of Next Leaders

12 March 2026

Forbes Next Leaders – IED Student designs the February cover of Next Leaders

Forbes Next Leaders and IED come together to promote the creativity of a new generation: the partnership dedicated to the covers of Next Leaders begins.

Don't miss it

Exhibitions and Festival

16 April 2026 - 16 April 2026

Barcelona

OFFF Barcelona 2026

Alumnus Jaime Rose De Candole (IED Barcelona) will present her final degree project at NXT, the platform for emerging talent within the festival of art, design and creativity.

Lecture and Panel discussion

16 April 2026 - 16 April 2026

Bilbao

Jornada Open Branding

IED Kunsthal Bilbao will host an event exploring branding as a driver of growth, examining how it can become a real tool for management and differentiation, as well as analyzing current trends and their impact on companies.