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

12 March 2026

Fashion and Sustainability with UNIQLO

Students from the Fashion Design and Fashion Styling and Communication programmes at IED Barcelona have taken part in an upcycling project for the Japanese multinational, transforming ten imperfect garments into new unique pieces and designing their respective communication campaigns.

Forbes Next Leaders – IED Student designs the February cover of Next Leaders

12 March 2026

Forbes Next Leaders – IED Student designs the February cover of Next Leaders

Forbes Next Leaders and IED come together to promote the creativity of a new generation: the partnership dedicated to the covers of Next Leaders begins.

11 March 2026

IED and Tiny Idols collaborate on the costumes for the Paralympic Opening Ceremony

A special workshop with the costume director of the 2026 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, Silvia Ortombina, led to the finalisation of Vibes.

06 March 2026

IED Madrid’s Workshop Week 2026 explores new creative territories with international guest lecturers thanks to the Erasmus KA131 programme

Guest lecturers Lavinia Rosseti and Filippo Rossi brought new perspectives on materiality and contemporary audiovisual practices within the #TimesNew concept.

Job Future Day  2026

03 March 2026

Job Future Days 2026: preparing for the future

A unique event that brings together all IED Italy campuses with HR professionals, innovators, and leaders from the creative industries to collectively envision and shape the future of work.

03 March 2026

This was IED MUSES Talks: Omar Sosa

The co-founder of ‘Apartamento Magazine’ shared his creative dynamics at the intersection of art, architecture and editorial design in the second episode of the second season of the IED’s inspirational talk series.

Four models posing in a classroom

02 March 2026

The Fashion of IED Barcelona returns to Moritz Feed Doc

The Barcelona International Fashion Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary by once again including in its programme a screening of short films by the new generations of fashion designers from the school, alongside new features such as a Styling Slam and a Fashion Manifesto.

IED-undergraduate-courses-early-bird

28 February 2026

Early Bird Promotion for Official Undergraduate Degrees, Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Advanced Diplomas, IED Diplomas, and Foundation Programs

Enroll now and get a 10% discount on the Course Fee. Limited time only!

IED Expands Its English-Language Offer with New Courses in Design, Fashion and Film

27 February 2026

IED Expands Its English-Language Offer with New Courses in Design, Fashion and Film

IED – Istituto Europeo di Design is broadening its international offer with a new range of English-taught courses. A strategic move that strengthens IED’s position as Europe’s largest design network, opening its doors to students and creative professionals from across the globe.

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.

Exhibitions and Festival

17 February 2026 - 23 March 2026

Madrid

Latam Creative Talent: Valor Ancestral

IED Madrid presents Latam Creative Talent: The Shapes of Nature, an exhibition led by Istituto Europeo di Design, highlighting Latin American talent and its contemporary dialogue with nature as part of the Madrid Design Festival.

Exhibitions and Festival

11 March 2026 - 15 March 2026

Madrid

AULA 2026

From 11 to 15 March, come and see us at Stand 10A12 in Hall 12 at IFEMA

Exhibitions and Festival

12 March 2026 - 14 March 2026

Madrid

IED Madrid takes part in LUZMADRID 2026 with a proposal in the “Luces Emergentes” programme

The International Festival of Light in Madrid will feature IED talent in an initiative that turns light into a creative, conceptual and technical medium.

IED on Tour

14 March 2026 - 14 March 2026

Bucharest

Designing the Unknown: from Concept to Creative Identity

What if the unknown wasn’t something to fear – but something to design?

Open Day

18 March 2026 - 21 March 2026

Multiple

IED Open Day Italy

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

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!

Exhibitions and Festival

19 March 2026 - 19 March 2026

Barcelona

IED Barcelona’s critical perspective on fashion becomes part of Moritz Feed Doc

From 18 to 22 March, the Barcelona International Fashion Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary including in its programme various proposals led by the new generations of fashion designers from the school.

IN-SONORA 2026
Exhibitions and Festival

19 March 2026 - 21 March 2026

Madrid

IN-SONORA 2026

From 19 to 21 March, IED Madrid Design District will host installations and performances from this international exhibition of sound and interactive art