Language

English

Start date

June 2027

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

2 Weeks

In Italy, few cities embody such a direct relationship between industry, the local area, and design culture as Turin: a place where design has left a tangible footprint in museums, in regenerated industrial spaces, and in the surrounding landscape.

This is the backdrop for the Italian Design Experiencea summer programme designed for international students and creativity enthusiasts who wish to embark on a short yet deeply immersive formative journey, to gain a close understanding of the values, languages and excellence of Italian design.

The course alternates workshops, educational visits and meetings with iconic companies, museums and manufacturing districts rooted in the heart of Piedmont. The experience begins with an exploration of the city of Turin to understand its historical and industrial heritage. The theme of the automotive industry and mobility, deeply linked to the region, is explored through field trips and car design activities — from sketching to modelling — in dialogue with leading companies and key figures in the sector.

The programme continues with a focus on manufacturing excellence and iconic brands: from food culture and branding to photography, from fashion to the world of jewellery and accessories, students engage with production processes, creative strategies and communication models that have made ‘Made in Italy’ a global benchmark.

The experience even goes beyond Turin, with sessions dedicated to Milan’s design district and the iconic venues of contemporary creativity. Finally, the dialogue between industrial heritage and urban regeneration is explored through site visits to places such as OGR and Lingotto, where the great factories of the 20th century have been given a new lease of life, transforming their industrial past into a cultural hub.

Italian Design Experience is an immersive journey for those seeking a new perspective on design and to understand how beauty, industry, experimentation, and tradition coexist within a single creative ecosystem. Ten days to observe, experiment and learn, in contact with a living culture deeply rooted in a region where Italian design still has much to teach.

News

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 presents 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 exploring 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.

06 May 2026

IED at the “Lápiz de Acero” Award in Colombia

IED joins Lápiz de Acero 2026 in Bogotá, supporting emerging talent and the future of design.

Forbes Next Leaders – IED Student designs the April cover of Next Leaders | © Forbes Next Leaders - Studentessa IED firma la copertina di aprile di Next Leaders

27 April 2026

Forbes Next Leaders: the April cover designed by Giada Boselli

IED and Forbes Next Leaders continue their shared journey with the development of the third cover of the magazine, created for the month of April.

22 April 2026

Honourable Mention at the DBEW Award 2026 for two IED Torino alumni

The first edition of the DBEW Award saw two IED Torino alumni among its leading protagonists

17 April 2026

Vote for IED Madrid projects among the ten finalists in Accor Design Awards 2026

For the second year running, four IED Madrid students have reached the grand final, placing their projects among the best in the world

16 April 2026

X-plorer, by alumni Aaron Gonzalo selected for the ADI-FAD Delta Medals 2026

The jury has selected only 15 projects out of the 104 submitted, forming the Delta Medals 2026 Selection, including X-plorer, Aaron Gonzalo’s Final Degree Project.

13 April 2026

IED presents The Searchlights: the urgencies of our time through the photographs of people in their twenties

As part of EXPOSED Torino Photo Festival, IED presents the second chapter of the three-year project Ti vorrei dire, developed in collaboration with Gallerie d'Italia - Torino, a part of Intesa Sanpaolo

Dos premios para el documental The Designer is Dead de Gonzalo Hergueta, Alumni IED Madrid

13 April 2026

Three awards for the documentary The Designer is Dead by Gonzalo Hergueta, IED Madrid Alumni

The film has won the Jury Prize at the International Festival of Films on Art, the Best Documentary Award in the Official Selection at Moritz Feed Doc and the Audience Award at the Atlàntida Mallorca Film Fest

Don't miss it

HYPER FUTURES. DISEÑAR MÁS ALLÁ DEL CAPITALISMO
Lecture and Panel discussion

08 May 2026 - 22 May 2026

Madrid

HYPER FUTURES. DESIGNING BEYOND CAPITALISM

Exhibition from 8 to 22nd May. On 8th of May we will celebrate an event with a workshop on the future, a panel discussion and the opening of the exhibition featuring dj Umami

Exhibitions and Festival

15 May 2026 - 15 May 2026

Turin

When Images Speak: IED at the Turin International Book Fair with Cecilia Campironi

A workshop to explore illustration and understand its role in contemporary communication

Exhibitions and Festival

16 May 2026 - 16 May 2026

Turin

Graficologia. Designing the Present: IED at the Turin International Book Fair with Andrea Viberti

Editorial graphic design as a lens on the present

Exhibitions and Festival

17 May 2026 - 17 May 2026

Turin

The writing professions today: IED at Turin International Book Fair with Damiano Gui

Schools in dialogue across creativity, languages, and emerging professions

Lecture and Panel discussion

19 May 2026 - 19 May 2026

Florence

Ettore Sottsass: Design as Storytelling

As part of the exhibition Io sono un architetto. Ettore Sottsass, organized by Fondazione Pistoia Musei (Palazzo Buontalenti, until July 26), IED presents a special event dedicated to one of the most influential figures in Italian and international design.

Lecture and Panel discussion

28 May 2026 - 28 May 2026

Florence

Reflections with Emiliano Ponzi

Emiliano Ponzi will lead a conversation exploring his visual universe and the relationship between image-making, storytelling, and contemporary experimentation.