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

Francesco Rosati

Electronic Musician, Digital Artist

Tecla Zorzi

Stefano Maggio

Music Composer, Music Producer

Giulio Maresca

Electronic Musician, DJ, Perfomer

Riccardo Giagni

Matteo Bendinelli

Filippo Barracco

Vincenzo Pizzi

Mino Freda

Simone Martinelli

Music Composer, Studio Acoustic Designer

Fabrizio Galassi

Francesco Lenzi

Music Producer, Sound Designer

Claudio Coco

Gian Paolo Sammarco

Expert in sound psychology

Max Giovagnoli

Transmedia Producer & Storyteller

Barbara D'ambrosio

Serafino Murri

Media Critic

Projects

Video, Cinema and Sound Design

Rome

Didactic projects
Heliopolis

Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Rome

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

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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IED Studio Visit | Studio Azzurro

Sensitive approaches to intermedia storytelling: environments, devices, narrative modes, and the relationship with archival materials in exhibition setups

04 December 2025

IED Studio Visit | Gadi Sassoon

Creative hyperdrive: music between experimentation, science, technology, AI, and human sensitivity

Tres premios a Alumni y estudiantes IED Madrid durante el mes de noviembre: Premio Nacional de Innovacion, Frame Awards & Premio Antalia Decora

28 November 2025

Three awards for IED Madrid alumni and students in November: National Innovation Award, Frame Awards & Antalia Decora

Federico Sáinz de Robles wins the National Innovation Award with his brand Sepiia, while Lucas Muñoz receives the FRAME Editor's Pick mention for his COLAB project for Sancal and Jacobo López del Hierro Llopis wins third prize at Antalia Decora

27 November 2025

Paula Garrote, IED Madrid Alumni. The experience of being the winner of a Francesco Morelli scholarship

Paula Garrote has been awarded with this scholarship to continue developing her final degree project, Órtesis Urbanas

25 November 2025

TILL DEATH DO US PART

The new short film by OffiCine – IED for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Tercer Premio Antalia Decora y mención especial a la funcionalidad y diseño para Matriz, del estudiante Jacobo López del Hierro del IED Madrid

25 November 2025

Third Prize Antalia Decora and special mention for functionality and design for Matriz, by student Jacobo López del Hierro from IED Madrid

In addition to this award, student Lilia Cherradi was one of the finalists in the V edition of these awards

14 November 2025

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11 November 2025

Adriano Giannini at IED Milan for a Special Lecture

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06 November 2025

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In Williamsburg, the creative heart of New York, Casa IED has opened as the first of the spaces that IED will dedicate to cultural exchange and collaborative design.

Don't miss it

Open Day

24 January 2026 - 24 January 2026

Multiple

IED Open Day Italy

A calendar of appointments to discover all training courses IED Italy in the areas of Design, Fashion, Visual Arts, Cinema, Communication, Art and Restoration.