TOTAL MILAN DESIGN – Fashion, Interiors, Lifestyle & Beyond

The course is structured around six thematic modules, each offering a unique lens on contemporary design practice and its evolution. Together, they form a kaleidoscopic journey through the full landscape of design today.

Fashion Design – Transitions and Mutations Explore how fashion is being radically redefined through sustainability, identity, technology, and new creative codes that challenge convention.

Interiors & Furniture Design – New Codes, New Evolutions Investigate how living spaces, objects, and environments are evolving through innovative materials, cultural shifts, and emerging Italian design philosophies.

Sensorial Design – Where Human Perception Meets Creative Innovation Discover the intersection of neuroscience, human senses, and design thinking — and how designers are using sensory experience to create deeper connections.

Design Thinking – Strategy and Practical Progress Apply design thinking methodologies to real-world challenges through collaborative, practice-driven workshops and problem-solving sessions.

Digital Design – Transitions and Transcendence Navigate the digital frontier of design – from AI-powered tools and immersive technologies to new paradigms reshaping creative practice.

City Trends Safaris & Future Forecasting Take to the streets of Milan for guided trend explorations, combining on-the-ground observation with foresight methodologies and futures analysis.

This is a 40-hour intensive program delivered over two weeks, combining multiple learning formats for a rich, varied experience.

Lectures and Masterclasses At least three masterclasses are delivered by professors from Politecnico di Milano, alongside sessions by PhD researchers, visiting academics, and industry professionals. The format blends theory, interactive discussion, case studies, and applied exercises.

Field Visits Across Milan Four curated visits take you inside Milan’s most inspiring design spaces — from museums, foundations, and archives to showrooms, flagship stores, production houses, and creative agencies. Every visit is guided by a member of the academic team and is an integral part of the learning experience.

Team-Based Final Project Working in interdisciplinary teams, you’ll develop a creative project responding to a real design brief. The final day culminates in a public presentation of all projects, followed by a certificate ceremony and a celebratory aperitivo. The goal is to produce a tangible, portfolio-ready outcome — a project you can proudly showcase after the course.

At the end of the program, every participant receives:

• A Certificate of Attendance issued by POLI.design
• A Digital Open Badge
• A portfolio-ready final project developed during the course
• A Letter of Recommendation awarded to the team behind the most outstanding project
• An international network of peers, mentors, and design professionals

Milan is an exciting city to explore — and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a realistic estimate of what two weeks will cost you, excluding accommodation and travel to/from Milan.

A few insider tips: breakfast in Milan is an espresso and a cornetto at the bar for €2–3. A solid lunch at a trattoria or cafeteria runs €8–12. Dinner at a pizzeria will cost you €15–25, while a nice restaurant is more like €30–50. Public transport is excellent and affordable — a weekly pass is around €17, and most of the city is walkable. For groceries, supermarkets are your best friends, and cooking a few meals at home can stretch your budget significantly. Milan also offers a wealth of free things to do: from aperitivo culture (where drinks come with generous buffets) to free museum days and beautiful parks. You’ll spend less than you think — and enjoy every euro.

Overall, plan for approximately €450 – €1,250 for two weeks depending on your lifestyle. The lower end is realistic if you cook some meals at home and keep evenings relaxed; the higher end covers eating out most days and enjoying Milan’s nightlife and cultural scene fully.

We’ve partnered with Aparto to offer our students dedicated accommodation at a special rate during the program.

Dates: Check-in Sunday, July 19 — Check-out Saturday, August 1, 2026

Room options:

• Twin Room — €650 for the full stay
• Studio Premium — €845 for the full stay

All rooms include an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette, so you can cook when you feel like it and save on meals. The residence also offers 24-hour reception, weekly cleaning, and full access to common areas including a study room, gym, cinema room, and video games room.

After completing your Summer School enrollment with POLI.design, you will receive a dedicated link to book your accommodation. Spots are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Milan isn’t just a city – it’s a living design laboratory. Home to Salone del Mobile, Fashion Week, and the world’s most iconic design brands, it’s the place where trends are born and creative boundaries are pushed every day. POLI.design, Founded by Politecnico di Milano – one of Europe’s top technical universities – puts you at the center of this ecosystem, with direct access to world-class faculty, industry connections, and a city that breathes design.

This summer, go beyond a single discipline. Explore the full spectrum of design – in the city that continues to redefine it.