Film Set Design
Milan
ITA
Master
Language
Italian
Start date
November 2026
Frequency
Full time
Fruition
On campus
Duration
1 Year
Price
EU/EEA resident students: €17.500
Non‑EU/Non-EEA resident students: €19.500
Film set design plays a fundamental role in the creation of a film. Although it belongs to a specific field, it intersects closely with staging and with the interpretation of the director’s intentions.
Milan is the capital of Design, and set design is the profession that most actively interacts with design and architecture. Today, set design takes the form of designing a narrative space that integrates body, light, and environment. It is a continuous dialogue between creativity and production, requiring a structured design methodology. The boundaries between design, set design, and architecture are increasingly fluid, and in a city like Milan—an international hub for major events, visual communication, and architecture—opportunities for experimentation and hybridization are ever more frequent.
The work of the set designer consists in interpreting and visually translating the story, contributing significantly to the film’s staging. Each project requires the ability to engage with different genres—from drama to comedy, noir to thriller, and even musicals—as well as diverse historical periods and cultural contexts. This process involves an in-depth study of eras, styles, and visual language, always closely aligned with directorial and narrative choices.
The Master in Film Set Design is structured according to the same criteria and operational phases involved in the preparation and production of a film, offering a concrete, professional approach that reflects real dynamics in the audiovisual industry.
Script reading and analysis
Breakdown of the set design
Study of the historical and social context
- Interpretation of suggestions and reflections on the text
- Analysis of Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic language
- Analysis of the environment where the story takes place
- Study of color and tonalities
- Location scouting
- Construction on soundstage and spatial design
- Budget drafting and organization of the set design department
- Cinematic space: the set must account for cinematic space, highlighting the needs of the camera and its movement.
- Set design project: conception and design of environments, consistent with the visual atmosphere defined with the director.
- Set decoration: essential for characterizing characters and their spaces.
- Props and set dressing: research, design, and construction of special objects.
- Film graphics: image release forms and logo usage.
- Relations between set design and special effects: SFX, VFX, and CGI.
- Collaboration with suppliers
- Environmental sustainability: green workflow and responsible disposal of set materials.
The thesis project involves contributing to the production of a short film, engaging in all preparatory phases: artistic meetings with the director, cinematographer, and costume designer; conception and design of the set; budget definition; construction and preparation of sets; participation in filming.
Upon completion of the Master, participants may work as assistant set designers, set department coordinators, or assistant production designers in film and television production companies, advertising productions, and creative industries, with opportunities for national and international placement.
144 Scholarships available!
Join the new contest for Postgraduate courses starting in the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic years. Apply by 26 February.
You may be interested in:
News
Win a 50% Scholarship
There are 144 Scholarships available for Master of Arts and Master's Programs starting in the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic years.
Don't miss this opportunity: the contest ends on 26th February!