First Level Academic Diploma in Photography - IED Milano

Language

Italian, English

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Years

Credits

180 CFA / ECTS

Course Coordination

Magali Avezou

Course also available in:

Rome
Turin

The Bachelor of Arts in Photography at IED Milano combines experimentation and research, blending analogue processes with digital and generative techniques in a vision that reflects photography in its contemporary dimension. The teaching approach encourages the development of authorial perspectives and critical views on reality, exploring new narratives and expressive possibilities. In the third year, students may choose a specialisation focusing on fashion photography, its production dynamics and the professional relationships specific to the sector. Milan, with its vibrant creative and professional environment, offers the ideal context to work in diverse fields: from creative direction to curating exhibitions and events, through to the entire publishing landscape.

Course structure and contents:

The IED programme spans three years, integrating design, cultural knowledge, dialogue with professionals, technical skills and innovative tools.

First Year: Students acquire the technical and cultural foundations of photography, from studio practice and darkroom work to the use of key post-production and layout software such as Photoshop, InDesign and CaptureOne. Theoretical courses introduce the fundamentals of visual perception, the history of photography and critical image analysis, combined with personal projects, interdisciplinary workshops and collaborations with external partners.

Second Year: Focuses on project methodology across research, editorial, artistic and commercial production. Students define a personal visual language and engage with the concept of post-photography, learning practices of reuse and reinterpretation of archival materials to construct new visual narratives. Theoretical studies support this process by analysing contemporary aesthetics and emerging communication tools.

Third Year: Dedicated to advanced design and professional simulation. Students develop a coherent, authorial portfolio, manage the art direction of their productions, and design exhibitions, events and publications. The exploration of generative artificial intelligence enables them to integrate it consciously into the creative process, addressing its ethical implications.

The final thesis project consists of an authorial work demonstrating the ability to use the image as an expressive, critical and communicative tool. Projects cover a wide range of themes: from fashion, architecture and music, through personal research, to science and social engagement, confirming photography’s role as a language capable of narrating and interpreting the world.

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Magali Avezou

Independent curator

Carlotta Cattaneo Carter

Alice Guareschi

Visual artist

Sha Ribeiro

Photographer

Martin Allegra

Photographer

Luca Attilio Caizzi

Photographer and Creative Director

Ivo Sekulovski

Photographer, Visual Artist, Photographer

Carlo Furgeri Gilbert

Photographer and filmmaker

Luca Rotondo

Freelance Photographer

Schenetti Massimiliano

Photographer

Sonia Marin

Professional Photographer

Claudio Morelli

Journalist, photographer and filmmaker

Sergio Lovati

Photographer and Artist

Rebecca Pedrazzi

Art historian and critic specialized in AI Art, curator, and journalist

Davide Bertuccio

Photojournalist and director of documentary photography

Carola Merello

Architectural and Interior Photographer

Silvio Wolf

Visual Artist

Sara Guerrini

Photography Consultant & Picture Editor

Ferri Carazo Paula

Sound designer and sound recordist

Giorgio Majno

Photographer

Claudia Buzzetti

Freelance Project Manager, Content Curator

Andrea Gelpi

Insight Specialist & Market Research Consultant

Giulia Gravina

Graphic designer

Federico Lanzani

Photographer

Dario Mastrocola

Photographer

Claudia Pasanisi

Freelance Photographer and Creative Director

Marianna Schivardi

Filmmaker

Marco Nero Formisano

Advertising photographer and filmmaker     

Stefano Uvietta

Photographer

Matteo Bricchi

Photographer

Davide Sottile

Graphic Designer

Roberto Prosdocimo

Photographer, Owner of REPARTO21

Scaravaggi Silvia

Art Curator and Writer

Antonino Amoroso

Producer

Ermanno Guarneri

Founder of Shake

Ornella Mignone

Scenographer and Curator

Thomas Wiedenhofer

Photographer, Producer

Raffaele Solaini

Philosopher and semiotic expert

Sergio Messina

Musician, Radio Author, Teacher, Researcher

Luca Toccaceli

Lecturer in Communication and mass media

Marianne Boutrit

Artist and Photographer

Elena Datrino

Photographer, Lecturer

Erica Bernardi

Curator

Angela Madesani

Art Curator, Author and Historian

Lisa Montagner

Surfacing/Texture Artist

Projects

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

Young Researchers, Cariplo Foundation

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Milan

Da sempre qui

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Milan

Incendio Doloso

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

Unconventional Display Possibilities

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

Se il mondo girasse al contrario il tempo andrebbe all’indietro

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

l’accadere del tempo

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

There Are No Edges

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

WOMEN: IN BETWEEN

Visual and Interactive Arts

Milan

Myoho

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.

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.

A table with various posters and images from graphic design campaigns

30 January 2026

Portfolio Review Day Visual Arts 2026

The third edition of the annual exhibition showcasing the best work by fourth-year students from the Visual Arts School at IED Barcelona brought together the personal perspectives of a new generation of creative talent.

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.

29 January 2026

An exhibition on the value of resources and collective action

A group exhibition exploring the value of environmental resources and the role of collective action in shaping a sustainable future. The project stems from a collaboration between IED Firenze and Gruppo Plures.

26 January 2026

IED’s campuses in Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona are hosting Valor Ancestral, the travelling exhibition by Latam Creative Talent.

The exhibition will debut in Madrid on February 17 as part of the Madrid Design Festival.

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

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.

Lecture and Panel discussion

25 February 2026 - 25 February 2026

Barcelona

IED MUSES Talks: Omar Sosa

The co-founder of ‘Apartamento Magazine’ will be the second guest of the second season of the IED’s inspirational talk series. The event will take place on 25 February 2026 at 6:30 pm at IED Barcelona.

Lecture and Panel discussion

05 March 2026 - 05 March 2026

Bilbao

IED MUSES Talks: Albert Folch

Creative director Albert Folch, currently working as an independent creative, headlines a new IED MUSES Talks session on March 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm at IED Kunsthal Bilbao.

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!