1. General Information

School	School of Design
Code Reference Law	1014
Name	Interaction Design
Reference Law	Ordinamento D.M. 1648-1649/23
Class of degree	L-4 R - Industrial Design
Degree level	Laurea (Equivalent To Bachelor Of Science)
First year of activation	2024/2025
Official length of the programme	3
Years of the programme already activated	1
Official language(s)	English
Campus	Lecco
Dean of the School	Francesco Zurlo
Coordinator of the Study programme	Margherita Pillan
Website of the School	http://www.design.polimi.it
Website of the Study programme	--

Central Student Office - Lecco

Address

--

2. General presentation of the study programme

The Laurea programme (equivalent to Bachelor of Science, hereinafter L) in Interaction Design covers the broad context of interactive artefacts, in their purely digital and physical variations. Design focuses on digital and physical interfaces, products and environments that integrate electronics and harness computing power, Internet of Things systems, connected devices, based on Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence algorithms. Complementing traditional design pathways, the programme emphasises the digital dimension, providing both vertical and cross-disciplinary skills.

At the core of this L programme lie design disciplines, characterised by a clear methodological and process-oriented framework, accompanied by other related disciplines. The skills are acquired in project laboratory activities. The contribution of humanities is essential in fostering a critical spirit that is able to interpret cultural and social contexts and in understanding the human and emotional dimension of users. Financial skills are provided alongside these disciplines to support students in their interaction with the business and entrepreneurial dimensions. Technical and engineering disciplines equip students with the necessary skills for prototyping interactive solutions and the ability to communicate within interdisciplinary project groups. The programme also offers instrumental skills in digital representation, including virtual modelling.

In the first year, students will acquire fundamental knowledge in Interaction Design, programming, electronics and prototyping skills alongside the basics of design. The second year introduces new topics such as data analysis and front-end programming. There is also a focus on environmental, social, accessibility and inclusion impacts of design choices. The third year aims to consolidate knowledge, develop students' critical thinking by introducing ethical and social dimensions and reflect on economic and financial sustainability. The final year also involves enhancing design skills by tackling medium/high complexity projects.

The L programme in Interaction Design aims to be the first L4 degree class program nationally with this type of vocation, complementing traditional industrial design programmes with a special focus on digital and interactive technologies. It is in line with international experiences (such as Malmö University – BSc in Interaction Design and UAL - BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts), and responds to the increasing demand for professionals that are able design interfaces between humans and machines.

The L programme prepares interaction designers as a designer who is able to manage the entire design process of interactive artefacts based on digital technology, design both physical and digital interfaces, and communicate with technical figures. Graduates can operate in various professional or corporate contexts, finding their natural placement in interdisciplinary design groups. This relationship is fostered by the programme, which involves companies in laboratory activities and design workshops and promotes extracurricular traineeship activities.

The L programme’s international vocation, with most programmes taught in English, encourages international exchanges and also prepares graduates to engage in design on a global scale, beyond national boundaries.

After the L programme, a Laurea Magistrale programme (equivalent to Master of Science, hereinafter LM) in Digital and Interaction Design is available at Politecnico di Milano.

3. Learning objectives

The L programme in Interaction Design aims to produce graduates equipped with solid understanding of general scientific methods and content, as well as a wide range of knowledge and skills in the field of Interaction Design, in accordance with and beyond the requirements of the relevant Degree Class as Class defined by Ministerial Decree of 16 March 2007.

At the end of the programme, the graduate will have acquired:

- a solid grasp of the design process and user study methods;

- an adequate ability to develop design solutions consistent with usage contexts (e.g., domestic, public, professional) and user needs;

- a solid grasp of the functional and aesthetic aspects of interactive systems, whether physical or digital;

- a solid ability to develop physical and digital interfaces, mastering the integration of electronics and computing power in products and environments;

- adequate knowledge of representation, modelling and prototyping techniques for interactive systems;

- adequate knowledge of programming and electronics (e.g., in the fields of mobile devices and Internet of Things);

- adequate knowledge of cognitive processes and principles of usability and accessibility of interactive systems;

- adequate humanistic knowledge to contextualise the design of high technological value solutions from a historical-critical perspective;

- adequate critical awareness of the environmental and social impact of the projects developed.

The structure of the L programme provides the necessary basic preparation to undertake further in-depth studies that can be pursued in LM programmes, Specialising Masters and Specialising Courses.

4. Organization of the study programme and further studies

4.1 Structure of the study programme and Qualifications

The study programmes in Design aim to the theoretical, scientific and professional preparation of the designer, who is a figure endowed with knowledge and skills related to the design, production and enhancement of industrial products. At the School of Design, by industrial product we do not simply mean a material product such as a car, furniture, object, garment or accessory, but also mean all elements of communication and construction of 'meaning' related to a product, such graphic and brand design, websites, interiors or a fashion show.[DS1] 

This field of study responds to the demand for training expressed by consumer product industries, public administrations, communication design firms and companies, interior and setup/exhibition design, fashion, as well as sectors involved in the marketing and distribution of these products.

The proposed educational programmes are structured into two levels, known as the 3+2 system, including a first level university Laurea programme (equivalent to Bachelor of Science) and the subsequent two-year Laurea Magistrale programme(equivalent to Master of Science) (hereinafter referred to as L and LM, respectively).

The L programme prepares Project Technicians, i.e., graduates who are able to support all technical and design activities that, from the conception phase, lead to the production and distribution of the product on the market, with different connotations for each of the offered programmes.

The first level L programme is divided into 6 semesters and covers 180 University credits (ECTS)

On enrolment, students are grouped into Sections, to which they will belong until the end of the programme.

The programme offers different Studios and Courses among which students can choose which ones to attend in order to personalise their education.

All L programmes within the School of Design have 60 ECTS in common. They introduce students to the basic theoretical-practical and instrumental culture for approaching Design projects.

Other courses are specific to each L programme and are aimed at achieving the programme's educational mission and goals.

In the 3rd year Studio, students put into practice the skills acquired, preparing the project that will be discussed at graduation.

The programme concludes with a workshop and a final exam with discussion of the graduation essay.

 

 [DS1]non ricordo: questo è uguale per tutti?

4.2 Further Studies

The qualification grants access to "Laurea Magistrale" (2nd degree), "Corso di Specializzazione di primo livello" (1st level Specialization Course) and "Master Universitario di primo livello" (1st level University Master)

Achieving the first level L degree qualification provides access to LM programmes, first-level Specialising Courses and first level Specialising Masters. 

The LM programme in Digital and Interaction Design is the natural continuation of the 3-Year Interaction Design L programme, and the two programmes have a single Study Programme Board. Furthermore, graduates can also apply for admission to other LM programmes offered by the School of Design.

In addition to LM programmes, there is a rich offering of first level Specialising Masters, accessible after the 3-Year L programme, and second-level Specialising Masters, accessible after the LM programme. Finally, after obtaining the second level L qualification, it is possible to access the PhD programmes of the Department of Design, which offer highly qualified training in the field of design research.

5. Professional opportunities and work market

5.1 Professional status of the degree

At the end of the L programme, graduates can also enrol in the LM programme in continuity.
Graduates will primarily practice their profession as freelancers or within professional firms, companies, public and private organisations and corporations. As interaction designers, they can work in design and architecture studios, design companies, or be employed by companies operating in the industrial design field, involved in the production of goods and services, in the consumer electronics and entertainment industries, or in any sector requiring specific design skills. They can also be employed by companies operating in the field of industrial design, active in the production of goods and services, in the consumer electronics and entertainment industries, or in any sector that demands specific project-related skills.

5.2 Careers options and profiles

The programme primarily prepares students for careers as:

-              an interaction designer;

-              a user experience designer;

-              a user interface designer;

-              an information architect;

-              an interactive products designer.

At the end of the L programme, graduates can also enrol in the LM programme in continuity.

Graduates will primarily practice their profession as freelancers or within professional studios, companies, public and private organisations and corporations. As interaction designers, they can work in design and architecture studios, design companies, or be employed by companies operating in the industrial design field, involved in the production of goods and services, in the consumer electronics and entertainment industries, or in any sector requiring specific design skills. They can also be employed by companies operating in the field of industrial design, active in the production of goods and services, in the consumer electronics and entertainment industries, or in any sector that demands specific project-related skills. 

5.3 Qualification profile

Interaction designer

 

Function in a working context

Graduates in Interaction Design are designers who actively participate in the conceptualisation, prototyping and validation of digital interactive artefacts, whether they are products, services, or technologically advanced systems.

They will be responsible for designing interfaces, user experience, and integrating electronic components.

Additionally, graduates from the 3-year L programme in Interaction Design can develop entrepreneurial projects and actively engage in innovative startups operating in the digital field.

They can carry out their professional activities within interdisciplinary groups, collaborating with other professionals such as computer scientists, usability experts, psychologists, mechanical engineers and automation engineers.

Through additional education programmes, such as a LM programmes, professional training courses and traineeships, graduates in Interaction Design can enhance their education and access roles such as project manager or chief design officer.

 

Skills associated with the role

Interaction Designers are able to:

-          analyse various usage contexts of interactive artefacts (e.g., domestic, public, professional) to understand user behaviour;

-          translate user needs into design requirements;

-          conceive, design and represent interactive artefacts (e.g., IoT systems, apps, websites, appliance interfaces, AR/VR immersive systems) following the entire design process;

-          control the functional-aesthetic aspects of designed artefacts;

-          apply knowledge in terms of usability/accessibility;

-          create prototypes at different levels of definition for digital interactive artefacts;

-          test artefacts at various levels of technological development, defining analysis and evaluation protocols;

-          introduce critical thinking into the design process, evaluating the potential environmental and social impact of designed artefacts;

-          communicate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., programmers, front-end developers), actively participating in co-design with users and experts;

-          design in multidisciplinary contexts.

6. Enrolment

6.1 Access requirements

Italian secondary school leaving qualification or other comparable foreign qualification (level 4 EQF)

6.2 Requested knowledge

Enrolment in the first year of the L programme in Interaction Design is subject to passing an exam that assesses the possession of the required knowledge for admission and aptitude for studies. The verification of possession of the required knowledge for admission is carried out through a multiple-choice test.

The exam can be taken from March to May. For non-EU applicants, the test will take place between late August and early September.

The test, formulated in English, consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and the candidate must choose the correct answer from the five options provided.

The total duration of the test is 1 hour and 10 minutes (70 minutes).

The subject areas and questions covered in the test will be:

• geometric-mathematical and representation

• logics

• verbal comprehension

• history of design, history of art

• general culture

 

The score is calculated, as described in the notice, by awarding:

• 1 point for each correct answer

• 0 points for every answer not given

• -0.25 points for each incorrect response

 

The test score is obtained by adding together the five weighted partial scores. 

 

At the end of the test period, a ranking list is compiled, and access is granted to those who have met the requirements specified in the call.

There are 2 enrolment periods for the L programme in Interaction Design:

- Enrolment for Italian candidates and equivalents who have taken the test in the March/May period and have obtained a position high up in the ranking list, can enrol upon obtaining an upper secondary school leaver’s certificate.

- Enrolment for non-EU candidates who have taken the test at the end of August/beginning of September and have obtained a position high up in the ranking list.

For enrolment, a ranking list will be established, and places will be offered sequentially to candidates based on their position in the ranking who have taken the admission test.

6.3 Deadlines for admission and number of places available

Places available for admissions: 50 places are available (of which 10 are reserved for non-EU students).

6.4 Tutoring and students support

Orientation and ongoing tutoring include all activities aimed at providing assistance to students before and during their university career, so that it can take place within the timeframe envisaged by the teaching regulations and in a way that is profitable from the point of view of the development of professional and human skills. Tutoring activities are therefore distinct from institutional teaching activities, even though they may serve or complement them. Tutoring activities can be carried out by Masters Degree students, PhD students, lecturers and external staff.

Tutoring activities are planned and managed by the School in close coordination with the Course of Study.

At University level, the Financial Aid and International Mobility Service interacts with the Schools on the administrative aspects of tutoring Master's degree students.

The School appoints the President of the Joint Committee as the School Tutoring Representative in order to carry out a statistical analysis of the data (learning analytics), initiate discussions with the student representatives on the Joint Committee, discuss with the CCS Tutoring Representatives and plan tutoring activities of maximum effectiveness.

Tutoring activities are divided into the following services:

- educational guidance for first-year and postgraduate students (including Peer-to-Peer Tutoring where more experienced third-year student tutors provide help on the core subjects of the first two years of all three-year degree programmes);

- guidance and support for 3rd year students wishing to undertake curricular internships in place of the internship activity (internship/interdisciplinary workshop) provided for in the study plan;

- educational support meetings held by professors (to facilitate the choices of including optional courses for the purposes of personalising the study plan);

- assistance/reception activities for first-year students on three-year degree courses, both at the desk and through the new communication channels set up by the School;

- support for internationally mobile students;

- assistance for revision and catch-up seminars;

 - assistance in computerised classrooms, libraries and laboratories;

- assistance in finding and developing teaching materials.

Open Days are organised for students wishing to enrol in the School of Design's courses of study, during which each course of study presents its teaching programme through presentations and/or open lectures.

 

An orientation service is available to introduce students to the educational and training activities of their courses of study in order to clarify the missions and goals and professional outlets for future students

Every year a Welcome Day is organised for first-year students, during which the following are presented: the organisation of the School, the offices and their responsibilities, the international exchange programmes, the communication tools of the School and the Politecnico, the School of Design website, Trouble Ticketing, chat, the Beep portal, the library services, the instrument laboratories and Safety Week (the week in which students obtain authorisation to access the laboratories). During this meeting, space is given to the presentation of the Joint Committee and the Student Representation.

The Student Representatives of the School Council have prepared a handbook to introduce themselves and summarise the services students can access.

For current students, presentations of optional courses and Synthesis Workshops are prepared. In addition to the Teaching Fact Sheets, which present in detail how the courses are conducted, students can access the School's website and view slides and videos prepared by the lecturers to summarise the topics covered in the course.

 

The School organises "Lesson 0" to provide information on the University's facilities and services and to explain the organisation of the course of study; it is left to the coordinators to organise such a Lesson in collective mode with the other courses of study or on the first day of class of one of the subjects of the specific degree course. Students in subsequent years are provided with information on the range of courses on offer and on initiatives specific to their own year.

 

The focuses of Lesson 0 are:

- Course Organisation and University Services (I L);

- experience abroad (II and III LT),;

- post-graduate: Master’s Degree and Level I master's degree;

- job market and Career service (III LT)

- LM admission: criteria and parameters N and V (II e III LT);

- student opinion questionnaire (I,II;III LT);

- questionnaire on services and overall training pathway (III LT);

- final examination: type, choice of supervisor and final grade (III LT).

 For current students, the School has initiated activities aimed at:

 - contribute to removing obstacles to successful course attendance, including through initiatives tailored to the needs, aptitudes and requirements of individuals;

 - make students more actively involved in the learning process.

 

Il/i Course Tutoring Contact Person(s) is the institutional reference point for guidance at the School; the service is organised within the framework of the course of study and in particular deals with:

- support service to students where they need help in solving problems or deepening concepts;

- approval and possible drafting of texts concerning the presentation of the degree course for which the professor is the contact person;

- identification of student projects from their degree course, to be used as orientation tools during Open Days, and for the School's institutional communication.

Tutoring
https://www.design.polimi.it/en/1/teaching/services/tutoring
The School of Design participates in the national PotDesign project - Guidance and Tutoring Plans - set up by Miur. For further details on the Tutoring Actions put in place by the School:
https://www.design.polimi.it/it/didattica/servizi/tutorato

7. Contents of the study Program

7.1 Programme requirements

The L degree is awarded through the acquisition of 180 ECTS. Graduates of the L programme in Interaction Design must have solid training in project development within the field of Interaction Design, delving into aspects related to prototyping, programming and electronics. Acquisition of skills in environmental, social, accessibility and inclusion issues is crucial for the preparation of interaction designers. In addition to these areas, historical-critical and economic disciplines are equally important.

According to Law No. 33 of April 12, 2022, simultaneous enrollment in two programs is allowed. Enrollment in two programs is possible only if they are of different degree classes (classi di laurea) and differ in at least two-thirds of their educational activities regarding academic credits. 

Consistent with what is defined by Law No. 33, at the student's instance, the maximum number of CFUs already taken in the other program and validatable is 60 CFUs for BSc programmes.

Please note that courses belonging to programs of a different level or type from the program you are enrolled in cannot be validated.

Full details on when to apply for validation and the administrative fees to be paid are available on the Polimi website: https://www.polimi.it/contemporanea-iscrizione

7.2 Mode of study

The Study programme has a full-time attendance that is divided over two semesters.
The teaching methods are: Single Subject Courses, characterized by theoretical contents that are communicated with ex cathedra lectures and verified during the year with tests and interviews; Integrated Courses, they refer to more than one discipline or specific area and sometimes they are provided by two or more professors, each one providing his/her contribution; Laboratories, where the students carry out project activities, under the guidance of the team of professors, each one providing his/her contribution applied to the project topic (the Project Laboratories use Experimental Laboratories that offer the opportunity to experiment and use tools, technologies and machineries useful for the project).
Workshops are also included within the curricular offer, or full time courses lasting a week in which students develop a project under the guidance of a foreign visiting professor, a professional with clear reputation or in co-tutorship with a company. By participating in this activity, the student fulfils the traineeship activity required by the educational system.
The Erasmus Programme and the other international mobility programmes are an opportunity for students to spend a study semester abroad at qualified European universities.

7.3 Detailed learning objectives

The degree program is organized with a thoughtful sequence of courses aimed at providing fundamental skills. Specifically, basic knowledge will be provided in the fields of interaction design, programming, electronics, and prototyping skills useful for supporting the design of interactive artifacts. During the first year, the basics of design will also be addressed.

During the second year, some knowledge covered in the first year (e.g., programming and history) will be reinforced, and new knowledge related to data analysis will be introduced. Additionally, courses and workshops will aim to make students aware of the impact of design choices in terms of environmental sustainability, as well as social sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion.

The third year, in addition to reinforcing and systematizing the knowledge acquired, aims to develop students' critical thinking by introducing the ethical and social dimensions, along with a reflection on the economic sustainability of projects. During the final year, students' design skills will be further strengthened, and they will be required to tackle medium/high complexity projects.

7.4 Foreign language

Politecnico di Milano requires that students are proficient in the English language (B2 level) This requirement will be assessed upon admission and may result in additional educational obligations (OFA). Students must demonstrate their level of English proficiency by presenting one of the certificates required by Politecnico di Milano to the Registrar's Office, with the minimum level indicated in the table.

 

Foreign students must also certify their Italian language proficiency before sitting their final degree exam and finishing their study programme. An Italian language OFA will be assigned by default, which can be fulfilled by presenting a B1 level certificate to the Registrar’s Office from those recognised by the Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR).

Those who do not have one of the certifications recognised by MUR may attend a free Italian language course organised by Politecnico di Milano.

7.5 Degree examination

The exam consists of presenting a work (poster, prototype, video, etc.) representing the project(s) developed during the 3rd-year Studio (Interaction Design Studio) and a portfolio containing significant personal projects and experiences from the chosen educational pathway. Both deliverables will be prepared under the guidance of a Supervisor, assisted - for the Portfolio - by the professor responsible for its drafting, if the Study Programme Board (CCS) has so decided. At the Supervisors’ discretion, it will be possible to supplement the final project with technical drawings, booklets, research, models, etc.

The work must demonstrate the student's maturity both in terms of the methodological approach to the project and in terms of acquiring the specific statistical and cultural tools of the programme.

The final project and portfolio must be typically prepared in English. Upon reasoned request from the student, the essays may be written in other languages, subject to authorisation from the Degree Coordinator.

The portfolio may also include a report on the activities carried out at Companies or Professional Studios, for students who have taken an external Traineeship in place of an internal Traineeship Course. The final project and portfolio will be reviewed by one of the COs (Operational Committees) established within the student's Degree Programme.

There is one Supervisor, who must be one of the University’s full or adjunct professors (Professor or Researcher) (in the current or previous academic year) and may be a member of the Degree Examination Board. The Supervisor may be assisted by one or several Co-Supervisors or experts on specific topics, who may be external to the School.

The Supervisor is usually included in the Degree Examination Board that will evaluate the student, proposes a scoring and has the authority to propose to the Board the allocation of a maximum of 2 points for the final project and portfolio.

A Professor who is not part of the Final Synthesis Studio followed by the student cannot be appointed as the Supervisor of the same student. Any requests for exceptions, if justified, must be approved by the School Council.

Following the assessment of the final project and the Graduating Student’s entire career within the L programme, the Degree Examination Board will assign a score. The score awarded by the Degree Examination Board is minimum -1 (minus one) point and maximum 8 (eight) points out of a 110-point scale. The final score, assigned by the Degree Examination Board, is expressed using a 110-point scale.

 

It is made up of the sum of the average of the grades obtained by the graduating student in the different courses, weighted by ECTS and expressed in one-hundred tenths and hundredths of one-hundred-tenths (without considering any extra activities and honours) – and the score assigned by the Degree Examination Board and expressed in hundredths and hundredths of a hundredth.

This sum will be rounded to the nearest whole number (0.50 is rounded to 1.00) and limited to maximum 110.

The minimum score for attaining the degree will always be 66.

The Degree Examination Board may also assign honours.

Honours, which may also be proposed by the Supervisor, means particular recognition from the Degree Examination Board for the education and maturity achieved by the Graduating Student, for their excellent educational curriculum vitae, for the method of presentation, argumentation skills, and the quality and originality of the graduation essay/project.

Honours can only be awarded if the score, as formulated in Article 8, is, before rounding, greater than or equal to 111 (one hundred eleven)/110. Honours are awarded according to the unanimous opinion of the members of the Degree Examination Board.

Additional information is available in the Degree Examination Regulations, which can be found on the School's website.

8. Academic calendar

The Laurea course calendar is drawn up in accordance with study assessment methods which, for the Design School's Laurea programmes involve “ongoing” assessments performed during each semester. The academic year is made up of two semesters each of which consists of a teaching session and learning assessment sessions (exam sessions). The teaching sessions of each semester are made up of two periods of lessons, practice and laboratory work, with exam sessions with the related curricular workshop activities.
The teaching periods are approximately mid-September-December and end-February-early June.
In September, before the start of lectures, there will be a period for presentation of Study Plan.
The degree exam sessions are scheduled in these periods: February, July, September.

9. Faculty

The professors' names of the Study Programme and what they teach will be made available on the degree programme from September onwards.
The Degree Programme is published each year on Politecnico di Milano's website.

The names of the teaching staff who will be teaching on the programme with their CVs are published on the university site by year and study programme.

Faculty
https://www4.ceda.polimi.it/manifesti/manifesti/controller/ricerche/RicercaPerDocentiPublic.do?tab_ricerca=2&k_cf=19&__pj0=0&__pj1=9ecc24961246e5b7e801848d93f75565

10. Infrastructures and laboratories

The L programme in Interaction Design is based at the Lecco Campus, where student services are available (Instrumental Laboratories, Library, Study Hall, Printing Service, etc.)
Mapp- Lecco Regional Campus (polimi.it)

Students will also be able to take advantage of the services available at the Bovisa Campus

PoliMaps (polimi.it)

For students in this programme, here is a non-exhaustive list of available teaching and research laboratories:

Educational Laboratories

-              Model Laboratory

-              Open Lab

-              Mechanical Measurements Laboratory

 

Research Laboratories

Industrial, Mechanical and Engineering and Bio

1.             Mechanical and Thermal Measurements

2.             MetroSpace Lab - Measurements and Systems for Space

3.             Material Testing Laboratory - Mechanical Section

4.             Human Vibration Lab

5.             Creative Robotics Lab

6.             Bioinspired Systems Lab

7.             The Virtual Prototyping and Augmented Reality Laboratory

8.             Sensibilab - Biomedical Sensors and Systems Laboratory

9.             Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing Laboratory

Civil Engineering and Building Refurbishment

10.           Concrete Materials and Structures Lab

11.           Shock Tube - Blast and Impact Laboratory

12.           Gicarus Laboratory - Surveying and Monitoring

13.           LIM - Mountain Hydraulics Laboratory

14.           RE3_Lab - Building Refurbishment and Energy Efficiency Lab

15.           INDEXLAB - Creativity & Technology

16.           Safe mobility - transport security

17.           Model Laboratory

18.           Geotechnical Analysis and Modelling Laboratory

19.           Gap2 Lab - Applied Geology and Applied Geophysics Laboratory

Electronics and telecommunications

20.           WEMSY - Wireless Embedded Systems

Applied physics

21.           COSMOS lab - COmb assiSted MOlecular Spectroscopy laboratory

Interdepartmental Laboratories

22.           E4sport – Human performance Lab

23.           WECOBOT - Wearable And Collaborative Robotics

24.           CRYOLAB - Research on materials and tools at very low temperatures

 

11. International context

Building an international dimension for the School of Design and its Study Programmes has been one of its priority objectives since it was founded in the year 2000.

There are many reasons for this purpose: the nature of design which inherently draws its very lifeblood from its multicultural and multi-local character, its proximity to both the world of manufacturing - which has now taken on a global dimension - and the sphere of consumption whose dynamics and tendencies are visible in a range of local specific contexts; the very DNA of the design community which has always been international; Milan's acknowledged status as design capital, a crucible for designers from all over the world who have come here to study or open a studio; the desire to make educational trajectories increasingly permeable to impulses deriving from this stimulating context as in other dynamic foreign contexts, with the aim to teach to international professors and designers.


To these should be added more highly structured activities which aim to strengthen collaborative relations, in the didactic and research fields, with selected universities: this is the case of the MEDes_Master of European Design educational programme (with 6 partner universities), the LM Double Degree Programmes.

The School of Design is a member of Cumulus, a network of European design schools, and of the main international design associations. http://www.cumulusassociation.org/

12. Internationalization

For the School of Design, internationalization has a double meaning: supporting student (and teaching and technical staff) mobility outwards and, on the opposite direction, attracting students, researchers, professors and visiting professors from abroad.

In recent years, the School of Design has committed itself to widen its international contact network and it now works with 200 design universities from all over the world in Erasmus exchange programmes (with 150 European universities), in bilateral exchange projects (with 60 non European universities), joint workshops with other schools, international internships and so on. Double Degree programs have been opened at the Master level.
 
To encourage the internationalization most of the Master programmes are offered in English or have at least an English track.

In addition to these actions, the School of Design invites Visiting Professors from all over the world, within its programs, and promotes innovative and international teaching activities through Collaborative Classes program which foresees a collaboration online of students and teachers.
 
International exchanges
The School of Design takes part in international student exchange programmes which offer students the opportunity to go abroad for a period, both during L and LM study programme, at one of the Politecnico's partner universities. A list of the School's partner universities is available on the Politecnico's web site and on the School of Design web site in the International Area.
 
The Erasmus+ Programme
The Erasmus + program establishes the possibility for a European university student to carry out a period of study in a foreign university within the European Union, from 2 up to 12 months, legally recognized by their university.

In particular, Erasmus for study allows university students to complete a period of study at a university that has signed an agreement with the home university. This mobility may give the right to an economic contribution (with conditions specified in the Call for international mobility) and to free enrollment in the host university. The student can thus follow courses and carry out exams in the partner university and then have the exams taken also in the university of their country recognized. The mobility can be carried out for a maximum of 12 months in each level of study.
 
Bilateral exchanges
The School of Design has also activated some bilateral agreements with non-EU universities. These are intended for both the use of Laurea (Bachelor) or Laurea Magistrale (Master) students.

The procedures for admission to such exchanges are the same as those for Erasmus exchanges with the exception for the economic contribution for mobility, that in this case it is not guaranteed.
The bilateral agreement, in fact, enables students to attend a period of study abroad at a partner university without incurring registration fees at such universities. In some cases, however, a management fee for exchange students must be paid (e.g.: Orientation fee, insurance,).
 
 
 
The MEDes Programme (Master of European Design (MEDes) 

From the a.y. 2002/2003, the School of Design activated the MEDes, as five-year international educational programme, in collaboration with six other famous European design universities and formalised through an agreement that relies on the Erasmus+ mobility programme.
A maximum of 6 students are selected for this excellence programme among all those enrolled on the 2nd year of the laurea study programmes in Industrial Design, Interior Design and Communication Design, that at the time of application are in order with the curricular exams and that have successfully attended at least 60 credits at Politecnico di Milano. The students apply immediately for two years of mobility (and for a total of five years of study including Laurea and Laurea Magistrale) and therefore they guarantee the continuation to LM at Politecnico di Milano within the MSc Programs in Intergated Product Design, Interior and Spatial Design, Communication Design and Product Service System Design, always following the normal career planned by the School of Design of Politecnico di Milano which foresees the degree examination at the end of the 3rd year. In order to complete the full career, students can only graduate in their university of origin, for both Laurea and Laurea Magistrale. (Cf guide to access the Msc)

In addition to Politecnico di Milano, the universities taking part in this programme are:

Politecnico di Milano, School of Design, Milan, Italy
Aalto-University, Helsinki, Finland
Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm, Sweden 
Köln International School of Design, TH Köln, Cologne, Germany
The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland
ENSCI-Les Ateliers, Paris, France
Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

Candidates, admitted to the MEDes programme, have two study experiences abroad, in two partner universities: the first one during the 3rd year of I level Laurea, and the other one during the 1st year of Laurea Magistrale. The universities of destination will be chosen according to the aptitude shown by candidates during the selection process, to the selection made by the responsible professors during the workshops (organized every year in March, in one of the partner schools and with compulsory participation by the exchange students of 1st and 2nd year) and considering the preferences stated by the student.
 
"Free Mover" Mobility

“Free Movers” are students who have international mobility and independently organize their period of study abroad. This mobility is not tied to an exchange project organized by the Politecnico di Milano, for example, Erasmus. It therefore occurs outside current agreements between the Politecnico di Milano and partner sites and the call for International mobility.

 

Since this is not a structured and community program, candidates for the "Free Mover" mobility must personally organize their stay abroad (contact with the chosen University, food, accommodation, health assistance, etc.) and there is no '' disbursement of any type of contribution to support the expenses for the mobility period.

“Free Mover” mobility may be used to sit exams or to conduct thesis work, with different requirements for the candidacy process and approval from the Programme. In the first case, the mobility may not be used for a site that has an exchange agreement with the Politecnico for the School in which the student is registered.

Guide to the international mobility of Corsi di Laurea e Laurea Magistrale Scuola del Design
https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/documents/career-guides
For more information about the rules and limitations for "Free Mover" mobility, consult the University guidelines:
https://www.polimi.it/en/campuses-and-services/international-mobility/study-abroad/free-movers

13. Quantitative data

The  University Assessment Commission Nucleus perform periodic analysis on the overall results analysing the teaching activities and the integration of graduates into the work world. Reports and studies are available on the website of the Politecnico di Milano.
Data
https://www.polimi.it/il-politecnico/organizzazione/organi-di-ateneo/nucleo-di-valutazione/dati-a-cura-dellufficio-di-supporto

14. Further information

Students are encouraged to consult the School of Design site and in particular the Guides which regulate access, changing degree programme, courses and laurea exams for any other information they may need.

Only the original in Italian is valid.

15. Errata corrige