Master of Arts in
Food Design
Course length
12 or 16 months
Start
January
Language
English
Where
Milan
Master of Arts in Food Design with Advanced Practice
Design-driven approaches to food innovation
The MA Food Design Programme addresses global food challenges by fostering innovative and sustainable solutions that transform how we produce, present, and consume food. The academic proposal focuses on tackling issues related to global food systems, emphasizing the creation of solutions that impact both production and consumption while optimizing the use of resources. The program aims to develop designers capable of applying creative processes to the food industry, promoting sustainability and innovation in every stage of the food cycle.
Through a balance of research, experimentation, and hands-on practice, the program encourages the design of meaningful experiences that connect people, cultures, and environments through food. It invites participants to view food as an interface for human interaction and a catalyst for social change, redefining traditional approaches to food systems in response to emerging global challenges.
Participants are encouraged to develop independent and innovative solutions to fundamental concerns such as sustainability, identity, and community, often reimagining existing systems, creating temporary interventions, and designing long-term food experiences.
At its core, the program emphasizes the construction and communication of powerful narratives, using food as a creative and cultural medium to address both local and global challenges, ultimately shaping a better, more connected, and sustainable world.
Features
The Master of Arts in Food Design equips participants with the creative and professional skills to contribute to one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, with Italy recognized as a world leader in food culture and innovation. This program is designed for students and professionals from diverse backgrounds, including design, marketing, communication, and management, offering them a unique opportunity to engage with food systems from a design perspective.
The program blends a focus on food-related markets with advanced design methodologies, preparing food designers to innovate in areas such as:
- Processes, methods, and spaces for food production, distribution, and consumption.
- The aesthetics, communication, and representation of food.
- Tools and equipment for preparing and consuming food.
- Communication strategies for promoting food products.
Academic activities include lectures, design workshops, and seminars led by prominent figures from the food and design industries—entrepreneurs, managers, journalists, food critics, designers, architects, publishers, and chefs. The program also features visits to food companies, concept stores, restaurants, and major gastronomic fairs and events. An internship with a company, agency, or organization in the field completes the course structure.
The Master is offered in collaboration with leading companies and institutions in the food industry, ensuring a cutting-edge, practical learning experience.
Method
The Master of Arts in Food Design is built on a learning strategy aimed at developing creative talent while equipping participants with essential professional knowledge and skills.
The program’s primary objectives are to:
- Equip participants with the methodologies and competencies necessary to navigate the complexities of the global food industry.
- Develop analytical and decision-making skills to address complex creative challenges and design innovative solutions that honor the principles of food biodiversity.
- Inspire creativity in reimagining food systems and their multifaceted characteristics.
- Provide tools and strategies for effective collaboration with food specialists, including chefs, engineers, and farmers.
- Enhance knowledge and skills through hands-on experiences, supported by internships in professional settings.
To be admitted into the Master of Arts course, students must have a second class (2.2) honours or higher in art, design, or other creative disciplines from any recognised ISCED level 6 programme. Graduates in scientific disciplines, social sciences, and humanities can also be selected, as well as candidates who have previously gained significant professional experience in the field of the Master selected.
SPD also considers other relevant experience and/or the attendance of SPD Preparatory Courses. In addition, international students need an IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5.
After the successful completion of the Master’s programme, eligible students can earn the Master of Arts degree, awarded with 180 UK credits (corresponding to 90 ECTS credits). The Master of Arts Courses are accredited by Teesside University, SPD’s Educational Partner. The standard programme (without Advanced Practice) awards a total of 180 UK credits (90 ECTS), while the version with Advanced Practice awards 240 UK credits (120 ECTS).
The Internship/Advanced Practice pathway offers numerous significant advantages, making it an ideal choice for those who wish to maximize their education and gain high-level practical experience. This programme includes not only an internship but also the Major Project.
The 15-week module is a unique opportunity to experience a first taste of the professional or academic life ahead of you and to test the knowledge and skills acquired in your studies. Only students enrolled in the 2-years programme can take this module.
During this semester, you have the option to choose from three opportunities:
- a professional experience in a real workplace environment (internship);
- an in-depth exploration of a particularly significant study topic through a research project within the school, in collaboration with a company (project work);
- an experience of personal and cultural growth through a period of study in a different institution (study abroad period).
It is important to remember that those who choose the pathway without Advanced Practice (1 academic year) will not have the opportunity to take an internship and to extend their stay to look for an internship once the course is completed.
The Major Project is the final individual research project that will allow you to investigate a specific topic at a high level, within a proposed research framework or project brief.
This project not only represents the culmination of your education but also marks the beginning of your professional career.
With the Major Project you will, indeed, have the opportunity to gain genuine project experience at the professional level, and when the project involves collaboration with companies, your ideas, if deemed of particular interest, may become the subject of further development that will make your resume competitive in the relevant industry.
After completion of the MA in Food Design at SPD, you are ready to embark on a career in various fields, including:
| YEAR | SUBJECTS | UK CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| First Year |
Food and Design Intertwined Investigate the crucial relationship between food and design, examining the entire food chain from its production to consumption.
|
20 |
|
Object Food and Food Objects First part: Design the food as an object.
Second part: Design a food tool. |
40 | |
|
Food Contextualized and Displayed Delve into the crucial aspects of food promotion, communication and representation.
First part: food communication and marketing. Second part: design food-related spaces. |
40 | |
|
Food Experience Learn to design a temporary or pop-up environments to offer unique and tailored food experiences within a specified timeframe.
|
20 | |
| Second Year |
Advanced Practice Experience either a vocational internship with external institutions and companies, an internal research internship, or a period of study abroad.
|
60 |
|
Major Project Develop your own design research under the guidance of the Course Leader.
|
60 |
*The study plans, including laboratory activities, may be subject to updates.
Partner
Faculty
See the projects realised during the course
Course highlights
