About

SPD – Scuola Politecnica di Design is the first school for design disciplines in Italy, founded in Milan in 1954 by Nino Di Salvatore. From the outset, it has integrated art, visual perception, ergonomics, and innovation into a unique and interdisciplinary teaching method.

Our mission is to offer a transformative educational experience that combines aesthetic excellence, design culture, and innovation. We train professionals capable of facing the global future with vision, practical tools, and a strong awareness of their social and cultural role.

We constantly look outward and forward. Our identity is driven by the diversity of skills and cultures flowing through the school. For SPD, design is both a tool to interpret the world and a means to shape it.

We are committed to being a living, evolving institution that blends the legacy of Italian design with the challenges and opportunities of today’s global landscape.

• Aesthetic excellence and beauty: We believe that design must convey visual, cultural, and symbolic value.

• Diversity and inclusiveness: We foster a heterogeneous, intercultural environment, open to dialogue and collaboration.

• Ongoing innovation: We turn global trends and changes into timely, relevant educational content.

• Openness and dialogue: Our approach is participatory and outward-looking, connected to industry, institutions, and society.

• Dynamism, gender equality, and sustainability: Inspired by a broad and responsible vision of design as a tool for positive change.

Our teaching approach is based on a balanced combination of theory, hands-on practice, and constant interaction with the professional world. The Master’s programs are structured around design workshops, labs, and real-world projects, and conclude with internships at leading companies.

The faculty is composed of professionals and academics from diverse backgrounds, bringing a rich mix of industry experience, academic knowledge, and innovative thinking. This enables us to offer a learning environment that is applied, interdisciplinary, and closely aligned with the realities of the design sector.

• We offer a comprehensive learning experience that merges academic rigor, creativity, and personal development.

• Every student follows a personalized pathway, supported with ongoing guidance and attention.

• Our learning environment is open, collaborative, and inspiring, where knowledge grows through dialogue and discovery.

• We maintain a strong corporate and institutional network, providing real career opportunities and long-term value.

SPD students come from all over the world, often in search of identity, inspiration, and direction. Our role is to guide them on a journey that develops not only technical and soft skills, but also courage, independence, and vision.

By graduation, students are equipped to navigate complex, evolving contexts, thanks to a flexible, forward-thinking education. We nurture pride, belonging, and resilience—essential traits for success in the design and creative industries.

All the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts courses are organized in collaboration with major industry leaders and other universities. Certificates and academic credits are awarded according to the ECTS system.

SPD is part of Plena, an open and complementary educational group that values collaboration across institutions. We build bridges between academia, industry, and communities, enabling meaningful connections that support both personal and professional development.