Master of Arts in

Product Design

Apply

Course length

2 Academic Year

Start

January 2025

Language

English

Where

Milan

Product Design with Advanced Practice

This Master’s programme in Product Design offers you a unique and distinctive course of study, taught by and international faculty, tailored for aspiring designers who aim to become versatile Designer-Producers-Managers, namely autonomous “Makers” capable of leading and implementing the entire journey of bringing objects to life, so to become self-entrepreneurs or to master the entire production process with manufacturers and firms.

Industrial Design Project Pedrali

Industrial Design Project Pedrali

Industrial Design Project

Industrial Design Project

Industrial Design Project

Industrial Design Render

Industrial Design Sketch

Student at work / workshop

Industrial Design Project Guzzini

Industrial Design Project Guzzini

Industrial Design Project

Features

Opting for tangible over speculative design from mass production to self-made production, the Product Design Master programme encourages you to conceive and actualise products consistently integrating with the real world, proposing a dialogue between your creations and the social and cultural environment.

At the same time, the programme equips the student with fundamental knowledge and skills, from comprehending material resources and production processes to mastering artisanal techniques.

The indispensable business skills are integrated, empowering you to navigate the entire product development journey—from initial ideation to the finished piece—while considering the engineering and financial aspects of self-production as well.

The Master of Arts in Product Design with Advanced Practice is based on a learning strategy aimed at nurturing creative talent through the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.

Its main objectives are:

  • Equip the student with the essential knowledge, method, and skills needed to excel in design industries, placing a central emphasis on empowering you to become a successful Designer-Producer.
  • Enhance effective decision-making abilities in addressing complex creative challenges through hands-on practice.
  • Provide a robust methodology, enabling the student to proficiently manage and implement the entire process of bringing objects to life, while also actively contributing into the cultural debate and innovation within the field of product design.

To be admitted into the MA 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 (180 UK credits, corresponding to 90 ECTS credits).
The Master of Arts Courses are accredited by Teesside University, SPD’s Educational Partner.

The 15-week Advanced Practice 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.

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).

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 Product Design with Advanced Practice at SPD, you are ready to embark on a career in various fields, including:

  • Autonomous Product Designer
  • Product Designer in a company
  • Self-Entrepreneur
  • Design-process manager

Francesco Faccin

Francesco Faccin, born in Milan in 1977, graduated from the European Institute of Design in 2003 and worked in Enzo Mari’s studio. He then pursued a career as an independent designer, collaborating with both Italian and foreign companies. Starting in 2004, he focused on creating self-produceable projects in small quantities, working closely with artisans and overseeing every phase of product development.

During this period, he also collaborated with model maker and luthier Francesco Rivolta. In 2007, he made his debut at the SaloneSatellite with the “Quadrato” table, which entered production and became a part of the Cosmit’s permanent collection. In 2009, he began an ongoing collaboration with Michele De Lucchi. Also in 2013, he presented an exhibition at the Triennale featuring objects crafted from urban waste in Nairobi’s slums, titled “Made in Slums.” He collaborated with numerous Italian and foreign companies and consistently conducted research through small-scale projects. His work has been extensively featured in national and international publications.