Language

English

Start date

June 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Weeks

Price

€ 2800

Explore Milan. Create Your Graphic Voice.

Graphic design can be understood not only as the production of visual content, but also as a practice of interpreting the context that surrounds us. In this course, Milan becomes a living environment for research and design: a concrete starting point to observe places and dynamics and translate them into graphic decisions.

The Summer Course in Graphic Design: Milan Edit offers an intensive learning experience based on research, direct observation, and the development of a personal project. By working with real locations across the city, the course creates a strong connection with Milan’s urban context and offers a meaningful experience for students who want to combine study with the discovery of the city.

The goal of the course is to provide students with a graphic design method based on observation and contextual interpretation. Throughout the program, participants learn how to read real places, understand their meanings, and translate these insights into a coherent visual system—strengthening the relationship between idea and form and the ability to justify design decisions.

By the end of the course, students will be able to develop an individual graphic design project and present it clearly, highlighting both the process and the methodology behind their work. The skills acquired can be applied in graphic design, visual communication, editorial design, and cultural projects, and are particularly valuable for those who want to strengthen their design methodology and their ability to work on complex projects.

Information to decide

The Summer Course in Graphic Design: Milan Edit is conceived as an intensive design studio that uses Milan as a real context for research and experimentation. The program alternates lectures, studio work, and external visits throughout the three weeks, all of which directly contribute to the development of the final project.

At the beginning of the course, students are introduced to the methodological approach that guides the entire program. They learn how to read and observe a context—its spaces, contents, and dynamics—and transform these observations into materials for design development.

Starting from the research phase, the work gradually moves toward graphic design development. Students build a coherent visual system, translating insights from their research into formal, structural, and visual design choices.

Studio sessions are dedicated to project development and include independent work, individual feedback sessions with the instructor, and group discussions that help clarify design intentions and strengthen the overall project.

The final phase focuses on building a digital portfolio that documents the project and the design methodology used, clearly presenting the relationship between research, context, and graphic design.

The Summer Course in Graphic Design: Milan Edit is intended for students with a background in graphic design, visual communication, design, visual arts, or related disciplines who are interested in deepening their design process through the development of an individual project connected to a real context.

The course is suitable for participants who already have basic skills in the use of major design software and who want to strengthen their design methodology, contextual analysis skills, and the coherence between research and design development.

Students must be able to work independently with digital tools and are required to bring their own laptop.

The course does not include introductory training in design software.

Syllabus

Context-Driven Graphic Design Methodology

This part of the course introduces and supports the working method used throughout the program. Students explore how to read a context, interpret places, define a design position, and establish criteria that guide graphic decisions.

Visual Research and Urban Context Analysis

This module focuses on research connected to selected locations in Milan. Students collect, select, and interpret visual, spatial, and conceptual materials emerging from field visits and studio work.

Field Visits and On-Site Observation

This component includes visits to selected locations in Milan chosen for their conceptual and aesthetic relevance. These visits are an integral part of the learning process and include briefing and reflection activities that directly feed into the final project.

Graphic Design Studio

This is the core of the course. During studio sessions, students develop their graphic project by translating research and observations into a structured visual proposal. Activities include independent work, individual critiques with the instructor, and group discussions.

Project Development and Digital Portfolio

This module focuses on organizing and presenting the final output. Students work on selecting materials, building a clear narrative of the project and its methodology, and designing the final digital portfolio. The goal is to make the project clear, readable, and communicable.

Final Project Presentation

The course concludes with a final session dedicated to the presentation of the graphic project and the digital portfolio.

News

17 April 2026

Vote for IED Madrid projects among the ten finalists in Accor Design Awards 2026

For the second year running, four IED Madrid students have reached the grand final, placing their projects among the best in the world

Luxury catamaran sailing at sunset

17 April 2026

The catamaran “OW” (IED Barcelona) wins the Digital Yacht Week 2026 Award

Designed by student Marco Bonfliglia (Transportation Design), in collaboration with Álvaro Prados and Alicia López Jaimes (Interior Design), the project has prevailed over thirteen other international entries.

16 April 2026

Join IED Walking Tour during the Design Week

Discover the most significant spots of Design Week on a walking tour led by professors from IED Milan.

16 April 2026

X-plorer, by alumni Aaron Gonzalo selected for the ADI-FAD Delta Medals 2026

The jury has selected only 15 projects out of the 104 submitted, forming the Delta Medals 2026 Selection, including X-plorer, Aaron Gonzalo’s Final Degree Project.

15 April 2026

IED Torino: Transportation Design at Milano Design Week 2026

At Milano Design Week 2026, IED Torino presents two concepts developed with FIAT inside “Ciao Futuro!”, the brand’s exhibition space dedicated to the future of urban mobility

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

200 people take part in the “Urban Picnic” initiative, which connects design, sustainability and community

An initiative by IED Barcelona within the programme of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture, and as part of the European project Feed Your Future and the activities marking the 60th anniversary of IED · Plural Intelligences.

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

Don't miss it

Exhibitions and Festival

20 April 2026 - 26 April 2026

Bilbao

From biomaterials to the runway: Fashion Design students from IED Kunsthal Bilbao at Fashion Revolution Week

Biomaterials exhibition and the TALKAK runway show, an upcycling collection created from garments provided by Koopera, where material experimentation and textile reuse define the creative process.

Lecture and Panel discussion

20 April 2026 - 22 May 2026

Madrid

MMMAD 2026 Professional Meetings: Stage Technologies and Hybrid Practices

On 20, 21 and 22 April, the IED Madrid Design District will host this series of sessions dedicated to exploring the impact of emerging technologies on the contemporary performing arts

20 April 2026 - 21 April 2026

Multiple

A journey through Service Design with Idoia García de Cortázar and IED in Mexico 

A series of events in Mexico exploring Service Design from a strategic perspective. Design, data, and business as key drivers to address today’s challenges.

Exhibitions and Festival

22 April 2026 - 22 April 2026

Barcelona

Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 2026

IED Barcelona alumni will open the runway show of Stéphane Rolland, guest designer of Barcelona Bridal Night, with their own designs.

Exhibitions and Festival

23 April 2026 - 23 April 2026

Turin

Re - Resistance Ester Valabrega, a possible archive

Sofia Valabrega’s project at the Polo del '900, bridging family memory and the history of the Resistance.

Exhibitions and Festival

28 April 2026 - 28 April 2026

Florence

A performance with Jacopo Benassi, Sabato De Sarno and Sissi marks the closing of In corpo presente.

A performance with Jacopo Benassi, Sabato De Sarno and Sissi reflects the creative worlds that have shaped In corpo presente.

Lecture and Panel discussion

06 May 2026 - 06 May 2026

Barcelona

IED MUSES Talks: Silvia Brandi

The fifth inspirational talk at IED Barcelona will address new materials, product design, sustainability, 3D printing, advanced architecture and international collaborative projects aimed at revitalising rural areas, led by the renowned Milanese architect.

Workshop

08 May 2026 - 10 May 2026

Turin

The Politic of Play with Gabriel Fontana at Circolo del Design

From 8 to 10 May 2026, Circolo del Design in Turin will host The Politic of Play, a workshop led by Gabriel Fontana and organised in collaboration with IED Torino as part of the programme of the Master in Social Ecological Design