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Mission Statement
“We established the Institute in 1966 on the basis of the idea that knowledge and know-how should grow and mature together. Because we respect the logic both of the market and of the finest of academic knowledge, we chose to espouse a more authentic, up-to-date culture of design: so we devised, planned and built up the school of design. We now know what it means to take an idea and nurture it until it comes to concrete fruition and that is what we teach to young creatives from all over the world”. Francesco Morelli, IED Founder.
International Role
IED forms a truly unique network of encounters, experiences, people and cultures. Its students develop a deep sense of belonging and their drive to innovate and share resources, ideas and contacts forges a tight-knit community.
IED has about 160 academic partnerships in Europe, Asia, United States and Canada, Latin American countries, Australia and New Zealand and it is member of prestigious international networks such as CAE (Culture Action Europe), CUMULUS (International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media), ELIA (The European League of the Institute of Arts) and WDO (World Design Organization). It also maintains links with many academic associations, including NAFSA (Association of International Educators) and EAIE (European Association for International Education): a large group of institutions based in different parts of the world that completes and expands upon the possibility of academic exchange open to IED students.
IED is, moreover, accredited institution of ERASMUS+ Programme, which contributes to the achievement of the Institute’s strategic goals meant to implement internationalization (ref. Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027 award and Erasmus Policy Statement 2021-2027).
This wide-ranging group of international organizations grants IED students even more extensive possibilities for academic exchange. Numerous bilateral agreements with prestigious foreign universities provide the chance for our students to take part in the Exchange Study Program and in the Erasmus + Program and spend a semester abroad at one of our partner institutions or at another IED Seat.
The enormous heritage of international creative ideas, words and deeds is a worldwide acknowledged IED value, demonstrating that respect for cultural diversity and multidisciplinarity and the resulting ‘culture of jointness’ approach to education are an unquestionable key to success.
National Role
Partnerships with foremost enterprises is a fundamental issue in IED’s education strategy, which characterises the entire education pathway of both courses and special preojects and of the academic year events. Thanks to the active and constant relations IED has with the economic-business world, every year around 200 companies collaborate in various ways towards the training of the Institute’s students.
Main Focus
Since 1966 IED has developed innovative and diversified teaching methodologies, focused on the synergy between technology and experimentation, creativity, strategies and integrated communication, market issues and a new form of professionalism.
IED is aimed at offering young professionals working in the fields of Fashion, Design, Visual Arts and Communication the most innovative and efficient tools necessary to meet the constantly developing requirements of the labour market. The bond between knowing and knowing how to do is the unavoidable requisite to develop cultural, creative and critical skills and competencies which represent the key goal of IED education.
Faculties and Departments
As evidence of its vocation towards innovation and development, IED has created a comprehensive reality with reference to its structure and offer.
IED Design, Fashion, Visual Arts and Communication and Management schools meet the needs of the labour market through training pathways targeted to the specific needs of the reference industries and characterized by a common origin – the design – and by the project culture. In IED the design matrix takes the form of the four IED Schools above mentioned. Each IED location houses four completely independent schools: what unites them is the common denominator of design culture and shared inspiring principles.
IED teaching methods require that all the schools:
• forge strong bonds with the local production and operation systems in their regions;
• interface with their benchmark sectors;
• evolve depending on the growth standards of their underlying markets and professional situations.
For these reasons, rather than just keeping in step with their times, the IED training courses are often thriving trend anticipators. IED represents a conceptual innovation hub. A number of professionals from a variety of backgrounds come together to provide the input for a cross-fertilisation between areas and disciplines. The outcome is excellence. Evidence of this value is found in IED’s essential role in such leading events as Milan Salone del Mobile and Milan Fashion Week.
Bachelor Level Programs
Undergraduate programs, three-year long, 180 ECTS
DESIGN: Product Design, Interior Design, Transportation Design;
FAHION: Jewelry Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Fashion Stylist and Communication, Fashion Stylist and Editor, Fashion Business
VISUAL ARTS: Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation, Photography, CG Animation, Media Design, Video Design, Sound Design
COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT: Communication Design, Advertising Communication
Master Level Programs
IED Master courses in the areas of design, fashion, visual arts, communication and management aim to provide students with the skills and tools they need to practice their professions with a high cultural profile and an elevated degree of specialisation. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the specific methodological, technical and instrumental, cultural and design tools necessary for the various professions, as well as to develop their ability to apply the skills they acquire and to manage the design complexity of their professional benchmark sector.
Postgraduate programs, one-year long
DESIGN: Design – Innovation, Strategy and Product, Interior Design, Transportation Design, Food Design
FASHION: Fashion Textile, Fashion Communication and Styling, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Jewelry Design
VISUAL ARTS: Animation Design, Graphic Design, Visual Arts for the Digital Age, Graphic Design – Focus on New Media
COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT: Arts Management, Brand Management and Communication, Creative Direction, Digital Communication Strategy, Event Management, Brand Management and Communication, Brand Management, Marketing e Comunicazione, Museum Experience Design, Business for Arts and Culture, Curatorial Practice, Exhibit Design, Food Design Project Experience
Research Activity and Main Areas
IED Schools are supported by IED Research Centre, the place where school meets the enterprise and research meets experimentation. Since its foundation in 1975, IED Research Centre has defined a new model of operations that adapts to the evolution in markets and firms’ ever-changing needs. A cross-cultural team made up of researchers and designers with different specializations is behind an interdisciplinary process that combines innovative experiences with basic didactic. This interaction stimulates the exploration and research in innovative areas of design, contributing to the expertise and excellence that distinguishes the various different IED locations.
Doctorate Level Programs
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
Undergraduate programs (3 year-long) offered in all IED Seats.
Application Deadlines
Autumn semester: 15 March;
Spring semester: 15 October.
Teaching Languages
Most of the courses are offered both in Italian and English. B2 level required.
Semester Dates
Autumn semester: September / February;
Spring semester: March / July.
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
IED can provide a list of residences and hotels where students can stay for short periods until they find suitable accommodation. Prices to rent a flat vary from area to area and also depending on the kind of accommodation (shared flat; one-room flat; two-room flat; etc.) but they can be from 400 Euro to 1.800 Euro per month. Food/meals: approximately 350 Euro (per month) Local transport: approximately 250 Euro per year.
