Language

Italian, English

Start date

January 2026

Frequency

Full time

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

10 February 2026

Carlo Verdone Meets IED: a talk on Film, Comedy, and Contemporary Society

A new IED Talk event dedicated to cinema on 23 February at IED Milano

10 February 2026

Manik Sharma wins the ASI Grifo d’Oro Competition for Young Designers

IED alumnus Manik Sharma has won the ASI Grifo d’Oro Competition, an international award promoted by the Automotoclub Storico Italiano and dedicated to designers under 30.

10 February 2026

IED at National Portfolio Day 2026

IED joins the 2026 National Portfolio Day series, offering prospective students portfolio feedback, admissions guidance and insights into creative study paths — in Miami and online.

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.

06 February 2026

From the classroom to the Olympics: IED Milano students at work for Milano Cortina 2026

37 students from IED Milano have been selected to collaborate with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) in the lead-up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

06 February 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao celebrates its 5th anniversary

The campus marks this milestone with the opening of new spaces and a consolidated academic offering.

05 February 2026

IED Barcelona crowned winner of the DVN Vehicle Lighting Design Contest

The project “Prisma”, created by fourth-year Transportation Design students, has won first prize, outperforming 31 projects from five other international design schools.

Don't miss it

Exhibitions and Festival

09 December 2025 - 28 April 2026

Florence

A masterclass with Jacopo Benassi, Sabato De Sarno and Sissi opens the project In corpo presente

A masterclass with Jacopo Benassi, Sabato De Sarno and Sissi to enter the creative worlds that will shape the project In corpo presente.

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.

Projects Presentation

12 February 2026 - 26 February 2026

Bilbao

Naturalezas de Luz

The exhibition offers a journey through three ceramic lighting pieces that explore the relationship between material and light, combining formal experimentation, conceptual sensitivity, and applied design processes. Through both traditional and contemporary techniques, each piece highlights ceramics as a relevant and innovative material within contemporary lighting design.

12 February 2026 - 22 February 2026

Madrid

IED MADRID X ESTRELLA GALICIA: CREACIÓN CIRCULAR

IED Madrid and Estrella Galicia present this exhibition, key part of the Madrid Design Festival

19 February 2026 - 19 February 2026

New York City

Plural Intelligences at Casa IED - A conversation with Giorgia Lupi

Data, design and empathy: Giorgia Lupi at Casa IED for Plural Intelligences.

IED on Tour

21 February 2026 - 28 February 2026

Multiple

IED in Kazakhstan: one‑to‑one sessions in Almaty and Astana

IED travels to Kazakhstan to meet young creatives during one-to-one personalized sessions.

Admission Info Session

22 February 2026 - 22 February 2026

Porto

IED Portfolio Review in Porto

Do you have a creative portfolio and want expert feedback? Or are you exploring your future in design and creative industries?

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.