Course summary

Both furniture and industrial product design overlap with many creative fields including crafts, fashion, luxury goods production, art, and interior design. Product designers understand where these areas meet, making use of contemporary influences and appropriate methods in their own creative process, designing luxury furniture, bespoke one-off items, or products for industrial design and commercialisation. This three year course covers a mix of applied manual, technical and digital design skills (technical drawing, 3D modelling, visualisation and prototype development with CAD), combined with a holistic approach in the journey towards design project development; working individually and in teams nurturing and developing creative talent in design thinking, design processes, and final product realisation. Participants learn how to effectively apply research methods to the development of product design proposals. They acquire knowledge of the basic principles of industrial processes and organisation, and gain expertise of material properties learning how to exploit and employ existing or new materials effectively and in innovative ways. Particular attention is given to product sustainability, ergonomics and consumer awareness, together with business preparation in trends, markets, and communication, providing a professional approach in the planning, negotiation and presentation of ideas. The history and evolution of product design takes a look at the discipline in different cultural and theoretical contexts, together with a focus on ‘italianness’: Italian craftsmanship, design and style, admired globally in the luxury furniture and product design industries, and showcased at the most important annual event in the international furniture design calendar, the ‘Salone de Mobile’ exhibition in Milano, Italy. Participants research and evaluate past and current trends and visual brand design and identity, and engage in market research, being able to respond to their own individual style, combined with industry needs, project briefs, brand image strategies, or specific client requests. Creativity and independent thinking is encouraged throughout the course and participants experiment and test their design skills and competences in an industry-driven project in partnership with a leading company, while additional networking opportunities are offered during the final graduation event, showcasing forward thinking designs for this exciting, challenging and innovative industry.