First Level Academic Diploma in Sound Design  - IED Roma

Language

Italian

Start date

October 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Years

Credits

180 CFA / ECTS

Course Coordination

Filippo Manni

Course also available in:

Milan


The Bachelor of Arts in Sound Design at IED Rome trains professionals capable of working across all areas of sound production, with particular focus on sound applied to images. The programme includes music production and soundtracks, sound engineering, live recording, post-production, performance and DJing, podcasting and the promotion of artists and sound projects. The course emphasises music production and the professional skills required in the artistic, audiovisual and gaming sectors, enabling frequent collaborations with students from Video Design, Illustration and Animation, CG Animation and Media Design courses, as well as participation in curricular and extracurricular projects with external partners such as companies and events.

Course structure and contents:

The IED programme is structured over three years, during which design is integrated with cultural knowledge, dialogue with professionals, technical skills and the use of innovative tools.

First Year: Covers the principles of acoustics, recording techniques, sound synthesis, the use of professional software such as Pro Tools and Logic Pro, and editing and mixing for sound design and production. At the same time, students explore the cultural and critical foundations of listening through the study of music history, cinema and sound arts. Laboratory activities allow them to develop basic skills in music production, audio editing and sound synchronisation with images, laying the groundwork for solid technical and expressive autonomy.

Second Year: Focuses on music production and sound design for cinema, with linear, immersive and performative audiovisual projects. Skills in live recording, studio recording and post-production are consolidated, using advanced software such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Logic Pro. Theoretical subjects provide critical tools to understand the evolution of contemporary music, sound perception and artistic languages. Expressive abilities linked to performance are enhanced, and immersive and interactive sound systems are introduced, enriching projects through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach with other courses in the audiovisual and multimedia area.

Third Year: Dedicated to advanced design and professional simulation, tackling complete productions of soundtracks and sound design for audiovisuals, managing complex mixes of dialogue, music and sound effects. Design extends to interactive and immersive installations, sound branding and performance, integrating technical skills with creative sensitivity and managerial abilities. Students study musical styles within popular culture and acquire knowledge of copyright law and recording contracts, completing their professional preparation in the sound field.

The thesis project represents the final synthesis of the programme: through a process of research and design, students apply the skills acquired to develop original sound works, individually or in interdisciplinary collaboration with other three-year courses. These may include installations, performances, podcasts, short films or video games.

 

Faculty

Course Coordinator

Filippo Manni

Music Composer, Sound Designer

Willy Antico

Sound Engineer - Studio acoustic designer

Giulio Maresca

Electronic Musician, DJ, Perfomer

Matteo Bendinelli

Tecla Zorzi

Stefano Maggio

Music Composer, Music Producer

Riccardo Giagni

Filippo Barracco

Vincenzo Pizzi

Mino Freda

Simone Martinelli

Music Composer, Studio Acoustic Designer

Fabrizio Galassi

Francesco Lenzi

Music Producer, Sound Designer

Gian Paolo Sammarco

Expert in sound psychology

Projects

Interaction Design and User Experience

Rome

Didactic projects
Egeria

Video, Cinema and Sound Design

Rome

Special projects
IED X Red Bull Turn it Up

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Rome

Buona Domenica

What people say

Special Lesson with BRAIL

“What is crucial, for me is keeping in mind that music is something that comes from and is created by humans who understand and experience feelings and can convey them through the language of sound design and music.”

BRAIL Iacopo Sinigaglia

Author and Music Producer. Collaborates with artists such as Aiello and Ariete, Fulminacci, Galeffi, Giorgia, Giuse The Lizia, Il Tre, Madame, Mannarino, Michele Bravi, Motta, Nuvolari e Psi

"IED was a fundamental basis for developing technical skills and abilities and for forging the first professional relationships. it is a course of study that requires a lot of work, research and practice."

Vincenzo Pizzi

IED Alumnus - Music Producer, Sound Designer

News

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09 June 2026

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June marks a special moment for IED: the Public Program IED.60 is in full swing, with a rich calendar of events spanning fashion, design, illustration and visual arts, bringing talks, exhibitions and open events to Milan, Rome, Florence and New York for the IED community and the wider public.

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.

21 May 2026

IED AHEAD - Design your tomorrow, today.

Enrol by 31 July 2026 and get an exclusive 20% discount on tuition fees for Undergraduate and Foundation Courses starting in September, October and November 2027.

“TypoLAB”, del alumno Gonzalo Muñoz, premiado en los Young Ones Student Awards

13 May 2026

“TypoLAB,” by student Gonzalo Muñoz, wins an award at the Young Ones Student Awards

This student's project for the Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design has been awarded a Student Merit

11 May 2026

Design tells its story at the Turin International Book Fair with EDICOLA IED

From 14 to 18 May, a newsstand of creativity presented the first two issues of Notes on Plural Intelligences alongside a selection of the best Italian and international magazines, accompanied by a programme of talks and workshops that explored themes of design, publishing and contemporary communication.

07 May 2026

IED.60 Public Program - May: between Plural Intelligences and the culture of design

The programme of IED events open to both the internal and external communities continues in may; it was launched to mark the 60th anniversary as a collective reflection on the role of design.

22 April 2026

IED Madrid plays a leading role at Brut! Madrid with nominations for “ABONO 03: Hogar” and “TypoLAB”

Brut! Madrid is bringing together design students and professionals at La Nave on Friday 8 May for an event dedicated to emerging talent