Communication Design
Milan
ITA
|
ENG
First Level Academic Diploma in Communication Design
Language
Italian, English
Start date
October 2026
Frequency
Full time
Fruition
On campus
Duration
3 Years
Credits
180 CFA / ECTS
Course Coordination
Gianluca Felice
The First-Level Academic Diploma (DAPL) in Communication Design at IED Milano trains professionals capable of creating advertising campaigns, developing narratives, and building visual identity systems for brands as well as commercial and cultural institutions.
The Communication Design program at IED Milano maintains a close relationship with the city itself—an ideal observatory of the present and future of communication—addressing topics such as destination branding, sustainability, artificial intelligence, diversity, and inclusion.
Structure and Content
The IED educational path is structured over three years, during which design practice is integrated with cultural knowledge, dialogue with industry professionals, the development of technical skills, and the use of innovative tools. The program aims to train students to experiment with different methods and expressive possibilities within communication design.
First Year
During the first year, students acquire foundational skills essential for the entire program: key graphic design software from the Adobe suite, layout and presentation techniques, creative writing, and principles of marketing and communication. The curriculum also includes more theoretical courses such as contemporary art history, advertising history, and semiotics.
Second Year
In the second year, students deepen their knowledge and practice writing across various formats, including institutional, advertising, digital, editorial, podcast, and video content. They further explore brand management strategies, media planning, accounting, and strategic design. Students learn to conceive, organize, and communicate events while developing integrated content and strategies. Courses such as phenomenology of contemporary art and sociology help students understand how diverse audiences respond to visual languages and societal changes.
Third Year
The third year focuses on advanced design and professional simulation. Students work on complex projects such as integrated communication campaigns, branding and positioning strategies, brand experiences, and influencer marketing. The curriculum also includes a course dedicated to international competitions such as The One Club for Creativity (One Show) and D&AD.
Students also develop their personal branding to prepare for entry into the job market through courses in creative portfolio development, public relations, and public speaking.
The program concludes with a final thesis project, in which students may propose their own ideas or develop a brief provided by a real client, collaborating with companies, institutions, and industry professionals. The thesis methodology is designed to simulate as closely as possible real professional contexts within companies or communication agencies combining strategy and creativity.
IED OPEN DAY - THE FUTURE IS LOOKING FOR YOU
Online 7-9 September | In-person 10 September
Faculty
Course Coordinator
Gianluca Felice
Brand Strategist, Consultant, and University Lecturer
Astrid Luglio
Product Designer
Maddalena Selvini
Product designer
Lorenzo Picchiotti
Executive Creative Director - DUDE
Daniele Dodaro
Trend & Market Research Director, SQUADRATI
Cinzia Pallaoro
Creative Director at Leagas Delaney Italy
Lorenzo Del Bianco
CEO & Founder - DUDE
Emanuele Basso
Creative Director
Marco Frugiuele
Global Strategy Director - Snack Content
GIulia Sutto
Senior Strategist at AKQA Milan
Mirco Cucina
Tv Writer
Ornella Lameri
Head of Strategy
Ruggero Faggioni
Head of Content di DECODE70
Teresa Martini
Communication Consultant
Filippo Ferraro
Chief Strategy Officer
Lorenza Daverio
Photographer, lecturer, and curator
Sebastiano Morando
Post Production Manager and Supervisor
Fabio Pedroni
Art Director, Copywriter
Claudia Neri
Designer, Art Director
Inside the labs
+3
STRATEGIC LABS
Projects
What people say
"One of my fondest memories of IED is my thesis. Six months spent with ten crazy individuals who have different ways of working and building projects. But after an intense period, you all reach the same common objective, the graduation, and the presentation of your project to the client, like a real agency."
IED Alumnus - Head of Account & New Business at CreationDose
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IED OPEN DAY
THE FUTURE IS LOOKING FOR YOU
September 2026 | Online and In-person