First Level Academic Diploma in Communication Design - IED Milano

Language

Italian, English

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Years

Credits

180 CFA / ECTS

Course Coordination

Lorenzo Picchiotti, Ruggero Faggioni, Cinzia Piloni, Marcello Boromei

Course also available in:

Cagliari
Rome
Turin


The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design at IED Milano trains professionals capable of building narratives, visual systems, and effective communication strategies for brands, institutions, and cultural projects.

The programme is distinguished by its specialisation tracks in four areas: Communication Management, Events & PR, Copywriting & Content Design, and Art Direction.

IED Milan’s Communication Design course is closely connected to the city itself – a privileged observatory on the present and future of communication – addressing themes such as destination branding, sustainability, artificial intelligence, diversity, and inclusion.

Structure and content:

The IED programme spans three years, integrating design with cultural knowledge, dialogue with professionals, technical skill development, and the use of innovative tools. The aim is to train students to experiment with the different modes and expressive possibilities of communication design.

Year One: Students acquire fundamental skills across the four specialisations, which they choose at the end of the year: Art Direction, Copywriting & Content Design, Communication Management, and Events & PR. They study key graphic design software from the Adobe suite, layout and presentation techniques, creative writing, and the basics of marketing and communication. At the same time, they are introduced to event design. Theoretical courses include contemporary art history, advertising, and semiotics

Year Two: Students deepen their chosen specialisation. Shared courses include phenomenology of contemporary art and sociology, helping students understand how different audiences respond to visual languages and societal change.On the cultural side, students analyse current trends in art and communication, providing fresh insights and references for their projects.

  • Art Direction: Focuses on brand design, advertising campaigns, and visual content for social media, as well as photo and video production.
  • Copywriting & Content Design: Exercises writing across formats – institutional texts, advertising, digital, editorial, podcast, and video scripts.
  • Communication Management: Explores brand management strategies, media planning, accounting, and strategic design.
  • Events & PR: Teaches how to design, organise, and communicate events, developing integrated content and strategies.

Year Three: Dedicated to advanced design and professional simulation. Each specialisation works on complex projects

  • Art Direction: Focuses on visual identity and multi-platform visual storytelling.
  • Copywriting & Content Design: Explores contemporary storytelling to support product and service visibility.
  • Communication Management: Builds strategic brand visions, including media planning.
  • Events & PR: Designs physical and digital experiences to maximise engagement, including collaborations with influencers and creators.

The programme culminates in the thesis project, which may be based on personal ideas or briefs proposed by external clients, developed in collaboration with companies, institutions, and professionals. Thesis projects are always interdisciplinary: the four specialisations work together, as in the professional world, combining creativity and strategy. After an initial phase of research and alignment on project management and trend analysis, students develop complex projects that enrich their portfolios and help define their professional future.

Faculty

Course Coordinator in Italian

Ruggero Faggioni

Head of Content di DECODE70

Course Coordinator in Italian

Cinzia Piloni

Creative, Copywriter, Story Teller, Strategic Planner, Researcher, Poetess

Lorenzo Picchiotti

Executive Creative Director - DUDE

Course Coordinator in English

Teresa Martini

Communication Consultant

Michele Arlotta

Head of Sales Fandango Club spa

Mirco Cucina

Tv Writer

Daniele Dodaro

Trend & Market Research Director, SQUADRATI

Filippo Ferraro

Chief Strategy Officer

Sebastiano Morando

Post Production Manager and Supervisor

Fabio Pedroni

Art Director, Copywriter

Cinzia Pallaoro

Creative Director at Leagas Delaney Italy

Ornella Lameri

Head of Strategy

Emanuele Basso

Creative Director

Giorgio Andrea De Stefano

Associate Creative Director

Piera Cusani

Communication PR, Media Relations

Lorenzo Del Bianco

CEO & Founder - DUDE

Claudia Neri

Designer, Art Director

Roberta Parollo

Marketing and Communication Consultant

Projects

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
VASELENS

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
The Jolly Jelly

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Kinklopedia

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Thankfools

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Hot Tea Time

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Sky Scents

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Off the Map

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Didactic projects
Stolen Phones

Marketing and Communication

Milan

Special projects
"The Last Hangover – NotCo"

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

News

Overhead view of a labyrinth of fabric panels and light

10 February 2026

IED Barcelona bathes Llum BCN 26 in warm light

The lighting design installation “Fabric Maze”, a labyrinth of fabrics, lights and shadows inspired by the textile past of the Poblenou neighbourhood, created warm visual compositions with each visitor’s passage.

10 February 2026

Tíscar Espadas, alumni and teacher at IED Madrid, semifinalist of the LVMH Prize for Young Designers

Tíscar Espadas, alumni and teacher at IED Madrid, semifinalist of the LVMH Prize for Young Designers

09 February 2026

Creativity, design and architecture at the Workshop Week 2026

From 2 to 6 February, 430 students at IED Barcelona took part in this annual multidisciplinary academic activity, which offered 25 multidisciplinary workshops inspired by the Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026 event. And, for the first time, it included mobility between campuses.

04 February 2026

punto—trama LAB: workshops for young designers

After its first edition, punto—trama continues its journey as a space for dialogue and experimentation dedicated to young designers.

Poster for the Saló Ensenyament 2026 showing two cheerful young people against a blue background

03 February 2026

IED Barcelona at Saló de l’Ensenyament 2026

From 18 to 22 March, attendees at this event focused on educational guidance will have the opportunity to explore the school’s design training programmes at stand D-453, located at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc venue.

Valentino: Après moi, le déluge!

30 January 2026

Valentino: Après moi, le déluge!

In January and February 2026, a small exhibition will be held in the Franca Sozzani Fashion Reading Room at IED Milan, paying tribute to Valentino, a great master of Italian fashion, who passed away on January 19.

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) University of Westminster and IED Madrid

22 January 2026

IED Madrid launches two University of Westminster BA (Hons) degrees

The first intake of Creative Media Arts and Fashion Marketing and Promotion begins in September 2026

General plan of a design project exhibition

12 January 2026

Portfolio Review Design 2026

The annual showcase of standout projects by final-year students in Interior, Product, Transportation and Business Design at IED Barcelona presented innovative proposals that envision the companies, objects, homes and vehicles of the future.

Fashion communication strategy: a comprehensive guide

31 December 2025

Fashion communication strategy: a comprehensive guide

Market analysis, brand identity, storytelling, emerging trends and best practices for building value and cultural impact.

Don't miss it

05 February 2026 - 07 March 2026

Madrid

IED Madrid · Official School of the Madrid Design Festival

From 5 February to 7 March, IED Madrid presents a diverse program deeply connected to the city, positioning it as the festival’s largest creative hub.

Exhibitions and Festival

18 March 2026 - 22 March 2026

Barcelona

Saló de l’Ensenyament 2026

From 18 to 22 March, we look forward to welcoming you at stand D-453 at the Montjuïc venue of Fira de Barcelona, where you will be able to discover our educational offer in Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, Marketing and Communication. Come and visit us!