Industrial design

Specific learning outcomes of the Programme

The first cycle degree programme in Industrial Design aims to train industrial designers combining instrumental knowledge for project development with the ability to contextualise hypotheses of engineering, development and production. In particular, the programme trains designers able to consider the constraints and resources of the industrial system they work in their design work.

The programme aims to provide the tools for formal and functional product representation, transmitting digital image production techniques, knowledge of visual languages, perceptual mechanisms and colour systems, as well as competences in product planning, design, distribution market launch methods.

The adopted learning model is inductive, based on a learning process that develops a simultaneous mix of basic, technical, professional and transversal knowledge. This specific format is supported by teaching methods which focus strongly on design techniques, based on a wide range of experience consolidated in the work carried out by students and teaching staff jointly. For this purpose, Projectual laboratories, with high teacher-student ratios in well-equipped design facilities, and Instrumental laboratories, where students gain not only knowledge but know-how, are run.

The curriculum is structured across three areas of knowledge:

- BASIC KNOWLEDGE. This knowledge does not refer directly to the profession but is fundamental for professional development. This broad knowledge base includes logical and mathematical skills, computer literacy, some elements of economics, a grounding in technology, etc.

- TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE. This knowledge constitutes the foundations of the activities of the different professional figures. These knowledge and competencies are key to ensuring professional activities in each referred sector.

- TRANSVERSAL KNOWLEDGE. Skills concerning professional behaviour, personal skills, not linked to a specific professional context. They include communication, interpersonal, decision-making, problem solving, negotiation skills etc. which are essential for transforming technical knowledge into effective professional performance.

The programme also includes humanities and engineering subjects that are complementary to the design area.

This choice supports the expected career opportunities and is functional to meeting the objectives of improving the quality of everyday life through industrial production. The curriculum therefore supports technical learning with a humanistic and economic dimension.

The aim is to culturally control not only the final product of the design process, but the complexity of economic, cultural, relational and communication processes leading to that final product. In other words, students gain specific design skills as well as the flexibility that only complex learning based on both technique and humanities can offer.

The programme runs learning activities in:

- a- single-subject course units;

- b- integrated courses;

- c- design laboratories.

The first two years of the programme cover basic learning, while the third year focuses on specific thematic areas.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the 1st cycle degree programme in Industrial Design is subject to the possession of a five-year secondary school diploma or equivalent suitable qualification obtained abroad, or a four-year secondary school diploma and diploma for the relative supplementary year, or, where no longer active, will be assigned additional learning requirements by the Degree Programme Board on a case-by-case basis.

Admission to the degree programme is subject to the possession of strong oral and written Italian language skills, logical reasoning skills, knowledge of and ability to use the main results of elementary mathematics and the foundations of experimental sciences. This shall be assessed as described below.

The degree programme has restricted access, according to the available resources. The number of places and selection methods are published annually in the relative call for applications.

Students shall be required to sit an entrance exam to assess their knowledge in order to register for the 1st cycle degree programme. Students registering with a score of less than the minimum threshold laid down in the call for applications will be assigned additional learning requirements (OFA), learning activities covering the knowledge of those subjects included in the first year course units. Additional learning requirements (OFA) are deemed to be completed by passing a specific exam, the methods and terms of which are indicated in the call for applications. At least three exam sessions are expected to be held for additional learning requirements during the academic year.

The deadline for the completion of additional learning requirements is set by the University Bodies and published on the University Portal.

Prior to the completion of additional learning requirements, students may in any case sit the exams scheduled for the first year. Students not completing the additional learning requirements by the deadline shall be obliged to enrol in the first year of the study programme again, and will not have the right to apply for shortened programme status.

- Assessment of language skills

Admission to the degree programme is subject to the assessment of knowledge and skills in the English language, to level B1 by the University Linguistic Centre.

Students holding a corresponding language certification are exempted from sitting this exam.

Students achieving a level of less than B1 in the language test will be assigned additional language learning requirements.

This linguistic deficit must be recovered in preparation for the following exams.

For the programme year in which B2 language skills are required, this preparation is as follows:

- skills level B2 in the third year:

preparatory courses in order to achieve level B1 prior to the year 3 exams.