Specialization Course in Art Direction - IED MIlano

Language

Italian

Start date

November 2026

Frequency

Part-time

Fruition

Blended

Duration

6 Months

Course Coordination

Valentina Stucchi

Price

3.300 €

This is an intensive course to gain in-depth knowledge on the role of the Art Director in a creative agency

To learn the creative, organisational and production logics and languages of an all-round communication project.

The course aims to train future Art Directors who will be able to study and convey winning concepts in line with the brand image and understand the needs of the target audience. You will also understand how to work closely and communicate effectively with different professionals, such as Copywriters, Graphic Designers and Producers.

Through the partnership with the creative agency DUDE, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics and peculiarities of your future profession. In addition, you will be able to participate in various workshops in order to put your theoretical knowledge into practice through the development of original and innovative projects.

Information to decide

You will improve your problem solving and teamwork skills

The course objectives include presenting today's production logics in an advertising agency as well as diving into all the tools of art direction: media, photography, illustration, copywriting. During the five modules, you will learn how to design the different phases of a communication campaign, from the idea to the setting up of an innovative strategy, through to its approval and production, and the realisation of creative content, such as illustrations, copy, photos and videos.

As part of the course's final module, you will be given the opportunity to create an original portfolio of work to present your skills in future interviews.

The course is designed for all those who have already gained experience in the industry or who wish to enhance their skills in the specific areas of advertising and communication in order to become qualified Art Directors. The advanced level of the course involves mastering basic technical knowledge related to the digital and printing world. It also includes basic training  in the main graphic design tools, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Thanks to its vertical development approach, this training programme allows you to acquire advanced and employable skills within a short period of time. There are several important and competitive aspects to consider, including:

●      The chance to participate in the D&AD New Blood. This is a worldwide competition that annually rewards creative excellence in digital advertising and advertising;
●      An overview of the latest developments in the sector and particularly the profession of the Art Director, from tools to communication logics;
●      An in-depth look at winning case histories to gather insights and best practices.

Syllabus

The following topics will be addressed during the course of study: agency organisation and art direction, the tools of art direction, integration and the new languages of the profession, and finally the creation of a work portfolio and CV.

Faculty

Valentina Stucchi

Communication Strategist and Educational Designer

Luca Riva

Creative Director

Sebastiano Morando

Post Production Manager and Supervisor

Davide Barco

Illustrator specialising in the field of sport.

Laura Boy

Head of Events and Special Projects at DUDE

Lorenzo Picchiotti

Executive Creative Director - DUDE

Lorenzo Del Bianco

CEO & Founder - DUDE

Elena Panza

Client Director - Dude

Mirko Mantellato

Digital Executive - DUDE

Davide Labò

Creative Director - Dude

Federica Avanzi

Head of Editorial, Branded Content & Entertainment - DUDE Originals

Projects

Creative and Art Direction

Milan

Didactic projects
Swap On

Creative and Art Direction

Milan

Beat Your Mum

Creative and Art Direction

Milan

The CheersBox

Creative and Art Direction

Milan

Back to the city - GiffGaff

Creative and Art Direction

Milan

The Eternal Influencers - Penguin

News

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01 July 2026

Three IED Designers Win at the 2026 Spanish Fashion Academy Awards

Alumni Ernesto Naranjo, together with faculty members Miguel Becer (ManéMané) and Juan Vidal, have been recognised at the third edition of the Academia de la Moda Española Awards for their outstanding creative work.

01 July 2026

Forbes Next Leaders: the July cover by Elisabeth Arana

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30 June 2026

This Was IED Madrid's Graduation Shows 2026: Two Days of Designing the Future

Under the concept Times New, IED Madrid's campuses hosted the final project exhibitions for Graphic Design, Product Design, Interior Design and Fashion Design, culminating in the traditional Avant-défilé.

19 June 2026

Sense of Dubai, a Project by Two IED Madrid Students, Wins at the Accor Design Awards 2026

Ana Cristina Lara Sanabria and Camilla Lari Prado received the Second Prize and the Public Choice Award for a proposal that transforms Dubai’s evolution into an immersive experience.

15 June 2026

Eight ADG Laus Awards for IED Spain Students

IED Madrid, IED Barcelona and IED Kunsthal Bilbao won two Gold, four Silver and two Bronze awards at the 56th ADG Laus Awards, reaffirming the creative talent driving the next generation of designers.

12 June 2026

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Creativity in motion: the IED.60 Public Programme gets underway

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08 June 2026

IED among the Top Design Schools 2026 according to Calibre Careers: european Network, industry connections and educational excellence

The international careers observatory analyses the Institute’s educational model, combining global recognition with the historic pillars of hands-on, laboratory-based teaching.