Language

Italian, English

Start date

January 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Years

Credits

180

The PhD is aimed at researchers who want to deal with the complexity of ongoing transitions to design positive changes and imagine more equitable, supportive and sustainable futures starting from a post disciplinary perspective, open to hybridizations between knowledge and the experimentation of new and unexpected connections.

The PhD programme aims to investigate new interpretative paradigms of Design and the Arts, and their roles, in a fluid, rapidly evolving context, through the experimentation of systemic research methodologies, based on multiple connections and hybridizations, the sublimation of linear disciplinary approaches, in favour of relational and critical, abductive and transdisciplinary readings, which look not only at applications, but also at the implications and impacts of design and creative action.

In this scenario, Design and Art stand as a transformative platform capable of enabling the interconnection between different forms of knowledge, the relationships between different forms of intelligence (human, non-human, other-than-human) and multiple application possibilities, generated by the intersection between design, art, technologies, sciences (human, social, environmental, economic), in a reference value framework based on principles of equity, inclusiveness, responsibility, sustainability and solidarity.

An open and collaborative research environment, an ecosystem in which experiment new hybrid, generative and regenerative methodologies, and apply emerging technologies consciously and responsibly, with a critical, ethical and non-conformist outlook, to go beyond conventional approaches and orient research action towards the common good, care for the planet and shared resources.

The research fields concern the following thematic areas:

  • Collective intelligence and Human - non human creativity
  • Design, Arts and the creative industries in new socio-economic circular environments
  • Cultural Heritage through digital and phygital technologies
  • Smart technologies and bio-materials: unconventional and circular application
  • Data design and information ecology: awareness and knowledge
  • Decolonization, commoning and social good in design and art practices

 

PhD Programme Committee

 

Final admission ranking for the PhD programme – Academic Year 25/26

News

08 October 2026

IED at Social Design Days 2026 in Tbilisi

IED will take part in Social Design Days 2026 in Tbilisi through architect, visual designer and educator Francesca Perani, Coordinator of the Master in Interior Design at IED Milano.

07 October 2026

Irene Fonseca takes part in Lights in Alingsås, marking the fourth consecutive scholarship for IED Kunsthal Bilbao

The alumni of the 2025/26 Specialisation Course in Architectural Lighting Design took part in the international workshop held in Sweden thanks to IED Kunsthal Bilbao’s collaboration with Lightecture.

06 October 2026

150 students begin the 2026–2027 Academic Year on IED Barcelona’s Master’s, Postgraduate and Foundation Courses

The Welcome Event for Master’s and Postgraduate students took place on 1 and 2 October, featuring a new edition of the “Designing for the Many” workshop and the opening lecture. Foundation students received their welcome on 5 October.

06 October 2026

Public Program IED.60, October 2026

This month, IED’s Public Program continues to take design beyond the classroom, creating opportunities for dialogue with audiences, cultural institutions, businesses and professional communities.

05 October 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao opens the 2026/27 Master and Postgraduate academic year with Toni Segarra

The day combined an institutional welcome for new students with an open, intergenerational conversation on creativity, talent, teamwork and the transformation of the profession.

02 October 2026

AQU Catalunya grants favourable accreditation to IED Barcelona’s Bachelor of Arts in Design

Once again, IED Barcelona has received a favourable report from the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU Catalunya), certifying the quality of the Bachelor of Arts in Design (Título de Grado en Enseñanzas Artísticas Superiores de Diseño) delivered by the centre.

Two girls holding a paper program in front of a design festival poster

02 October 2026

Brut! 2026 brings two new creative voices from IED Barcelona to the stage

Visual Arts graduates Irina Kavtaradze and Kyla Henry took part in the event where leading design schools showcase their outstanding final degree projects, held on 1 and 2 October at Disseny Hub Barcelona.

02 October 2026

IED Lands in Mexico with Federico Antelo

From 10 to 22 October, the IED Madrid Fashion Director brings talks and workshops to Mexico's top design events.

Fashion sketch with four male silhouettes

02 October 2026

IED Barcelona Alumni Albert Porta named finalist in Sangue Novo

ModaLisboa’s platform and competition for emerging young designers has selected him to present his collection “Branco” on 9 October at Pátio da Galé in Lisbon.

Don't miss it

Two reusable bottles, one green and one yellow respectively.
Exhibitions and Festival

06 October 2026 - 01 September 2027

Barcelona

“The Beetle Bottle” and “Mis queridos Ascos” at “Matter Matters. Designing with the World”

The projects created by IED Barcelona alumni Abdelaziz Moustafa (Product Design) and Violeta Mata (Fashion Design) have been selected to be part of this exhibition at the Museu del Disseny-DHub.

Exhibitions and Festival

08 October 2026 - 31 October 2026

Turin

IED Torino x Torino Design City

From October 8 to 31, 2026, IED Torino will take part with three student projects exploring ecological and environmental transition, as part of a programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops focused on design and innovation.

10 October 2026 - 23 October 2026

Mexico City

Your Idea, Your Summer at IED: Join Us at Encuentro Creativo 2026

IED will participate in Encuentro Creativo 2026 with talks on design and the “IED Beca Summer 2027” competition.

Exhibitions and Festival

10 October 2026 - 11 October 2026

Mexico City

Edicola IED Travels to Mexico Design Week

Notes on Plural Intelligences will be showcased at Latin America's leading design event as part of Diseño Contenido on 10 and 11 October.

Workshop

14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026

Barcelona

Service Design Disrupted - Satellite Workshops

IED Barcelona hosts one Satellite Workshop ahead of the international conference organised by Service Design Disrupted as part of Barcelona Design Week.

Medium shot of a middle-aged man looking at the camera with his arms crossed
Lecture and Panel discussion

14 October 2026 - 14 October 2026

Barcelona

"Future life positions through Food Design"

An online masterclass in which renowned designer Martí Guixé will explore creative perspectives and innovative ideas for rethinking how we design, produce and experience food for a more sustainable future.

15 October 2026 - 15 October 2026

Rome

IED Roma Design Awards 2026

Talent takes the stage and opens its doors to the city: on 15 October at Cinema Troisi come when you want, stay as long as you like

Workshop

15 October 2026 - 15 October 2026

Multiple

IED Creative Workshop

Come and discover IED’s Creative Workshops — a unique experience that will let you immerse yourself in the world of design in a fun and creative way!

17 October 2026 - 17 October 2026

Istanbul

Your Ideas. Your Design Identity.

What if your next favourite brand started with an idea you already have? In Istanbul, IED invites aspiring creatives to explore how design can transform passions, interests and intuitions into distinctive brand identities.