1. General Information

School	School of Design
Code Reference Law	1262
Name	Digital and Interaction Design
Reference Law	Ordinamento 270/04
Class of degree	LM-12 - Design
Degree level	Laurea Magistrale (Equivalent To Master Of Science)
First year of activation	2017/2018
Official length of the programme	2
Years of the programme already activated	1,2
Official language(s)	The Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to Master of Science) programme is offered in English but the degree programme meets the requirements of MIUR (Ministry of Education, Universities and Research) note of 11.07.2018 and the CUN opinion of 10.23.2018.
Campus	Milano
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	http://www.digitalinteractiondesign.polimi.it/

Student Office (Study programme) - Milano Bovisa

Reference office	Orientamento carriera didattica Design
Address	Via Candiani 72, 20158 Milano
Contact	http://www.design.polimi.it/a-chi-rivolgersi/

Central Student Office - Milano Bovisa

Address

VIA LAMBRUSCHINI, 15 (MI)

2. General presentation of the study programme

Over the last decades, the development of electronic and computer technologies has coincided with major transformations of all manufacturing and industrial sectors. Radical changes in social behaviours related to means of communication and organization have also been made. Technological development has affected the structure of many material products in public and private spaces. Digitization has radically changed every service sector because it allowed new solutions for the distribution and the fruition of goods. It fostered innovation of products in every product sector, from fashion to furniture, and created remote collaboration platforms in different application areas. Today, digital design helps us find sustainable scenarios in areas of great social importance including transportation, medicine, design, training and education.

The ability to use digital technology for innovation opportunities requires new approaches, which combine traditional skills and new skills related to the design of human-computer interaction, dynamic artefacts and product/service systems. Indeed, digital innovation is an opportunity to create new solutions and work with every application area of the project.

The profile of a design student coming from this study programme is characterized by a strong attention to innovation, who is able to design solutions based on the use of digital and electronic technologies, and who can create new systems from a functional point of view. The digital designer is aware of the aesthetic/formal quality aspects of products, interfaces, services and physical spaces. His/her main ability is to talk with experts about different subjects, to co-design solutions with end-users and interact with technicians involved in the implementation. The designer is able to use traditional representation techniques to design products as well as the specific technologies related to the interactive aspects of systems in order to support the design of interfaces, scenarios and solutions suitable to specific contexts and users. These techniques are also to help direct projects according to the usability, admissibility, convenience and human gratification needs. The digital and interaction designers are able to find procedures for the  dynamic involvement of users with digital products and services, and bring quality to the experience and the interactive involvement.

The digital and interaction designer has skills related to perceptual, cognitive and emotional processes that are in relation with actions and technological solutions. S/He has ergonomic skills and designs with the most innovative and dynamic materials, but also with the more traditional skills where the interactive component must be integrated. S/He will be able to design interfaces of different types, s/he will know how to analyse contexts and represent scenarios, s/he designs technological products and services in different application fields, and s/he is an expert in expression forms and cultural products based on the use of digital technologies. S/he has design experience based on IoT(Internet of Things) technologies, on the use of sensors, wearable devices and mobile technologies, and s/he has basic skills in business models and pays attention to regulatory and technological feasibility aspects.

3. Learning objectives

The programme aims to train designers of digital products and systems; designers strongly dedicated to innovation who are capable of designing products, environments and services whose work is based on the interactive opportunities of digital and electronic technologies. They will be paying attention to the user and social experience in order to improve the interaction processes through various interface mediums.

Therefore, the programme provides the following skills:

-          talk with experts of different disciplines and design in multidisciplinary teams;

-          co-design with users;

-          carry out ethnographic investigations to better understand behaviours, needs and expectations of users and the characteristics of each specific context;

-          use representation and prototyping techniques to support the design of multi-device systems and interactive solutions;

-          provide the proper interactive performance of products and systems designed in relation to contexts and needs of specific users;

-          develop products, services and systems with high functional, formal and sensory quality;

-          optimise projects according to the needs of usability, and physical/cognitive accessibility;

-          realize innovative solutions from the point of view of the modes of active involvement of people, and use technologies to qualify the shape of spaces and systems.

 

The digital and interaction designer is able to find procedures and dynamic involvement of the users of products, environments and services from the performance point of view. This is done by controlling the perceptual and cognitive aspects of interaction processes in order to define the quality of the experience.

The digital and interaction designer is able to:

-          design interfaces of different types through controlling multi-modal/cross-modal and multi-sensory aspects of interaction;

-          analyse contexts and involve users in need analysis;

-          represent scenarios and test experimental prototypes;

-          apply technology to product development processes;

-          design technology services in different fields of application.

 

The digital and interaction designer has design experience based on IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, on the use of sensors and actuators, wearable devices and mobile technologies. S/He knows the basic principles of programming and electronics, and pays attention to regulatory and economic feasibility aspects.

 

The courses will be carried out as front-of-class lectures and design laboratories. It is expected that some front-of-class courses will include design exercise activities as a qualifying aspect of the training programme. The programme includes training internships at research institutes, laboratories, companies and public administrations, at other Italian and European universities, and through international agreements.

The two-year structure provides basic theoretical ex cathedra courses during the first year in order to characterize the study programme and help the students understand the specific theoretical and technical knowledge related to design, human and social sciences and to technological and engineering disciplines. These are necessary to properly design interactive digital products and systems. In the first year and in the second year, there is one laboratory and an optional course that will test the design application of this knowledge in different areas. These areas include the design of spaces, product, fashion and communication according to the students' interests. Finally, there is a limited duration workshop (one or two weeks) linked to external contexts from the the university and connected to society and professional world.

During the second year, there is the Final Design Studio, which represents a convergence of all the skills acquired and is a good basis for the elaboration of the graduation work. There is a course dedicated to the economic aspect of the project, a course about the application of the Digital Design skills, as well as an optional course.

4. Organization of the study programme and further studies

4.1 Structure of the study programme and Qualifications

The Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to Master of Science) Programme is divided into 4 semesters and offers 120 credits (CFU).

At the moment of the matriculation, the students are assigned to a Section, to which they will belong until the end of the Programme.

The curriculum allows the students to opt for some Laboratories (2 at the 1^st year and  1 at the 2^nd year) and Courses, in order to personalize their own study path.

During the 2^nd year Laboratory, the student applies the competencies he/she has acquired.

 

The Programmes terminate with a compulsory internship and a degree examination, where the final dissertation is discussed.

During the Laurea Magistrale Programmes, the student can join Double Degree Programmes and Ambassador high-level training courses.

4.2 Further Studies

The qualification grants access to "Dottorato di Ricerca" (Research Doctorate), "Corso di Specializzazione di secondo livello" (2nd level Specialization Course) and "Master Universitario di secondo livello" (2nd level University Master)

5. Professional opportunities and work market

5.1 Professional status of the degree

The digital and interaction designer is a specialist designer who is able to independently manage and coordinate the design process from the starting idea through prototype and until validation. The digital and interaction designer deals with products, services and multi-device systems where the interaction component between man and product is essential. The Laurea Magistrale graduate student in Digital and Interaction Design can work in the research/development divisions of companies operating in the areas of traditional services and products such as automotive, consumer electronics, entertainment, cultural heritage, distribution and sales, and home and office automation.
The graduate student in Digital and Interaction Design can work in marketing and commercial divisions through his/her innovation contributions to the customer relationship. S/He can be involved in consulting firms for product and process innovation, in design and architecture professional firms, in large-scale retail, and in telecommunication and service companies.
S/he can also work as a project manager and chief design officer in different fields of application of digital technologies, or as a freelancer and promoter of new business ventures.

5.2 Careers options and profiles

The programme prepares students for the following professions:

-      digital designer

-          interaction designer

-          user experience designer

-          interface designer

-          information architect

-          service designer

-          developer of smart product/smart spaces

-          web content specialist

-          front-end web developer

-          app developer

-          web designer

-          web developer

-          mobiledesigner

-          webdesigner

-          trans-mediaproducer.

The job opportunities relevant to the Laurea Magistrale Programmes of this class, are freelance, institutions, public and private bodies, design companies, enterprises and companies operating in the field of interactive product development based on the use of digital, electronic, and network technologies.

 

5.3 Qualification profile

Digital and Interaction Designer

profile in a work context:
Specialized designer able to autonomously manage and coordinate the design process, from creation to prototyping, up to product validation, services and multi-device systems where the interaction between man and product is an essential skill. The Laurea Magistrale graduate student in Digital and Interaction Design can work in the research/development divisions of companies and industries operating in the areas of traditional services and products, such as automotive, consumer electronics, entertainment, cultural heritage, person services, home and office automation.
The graduate student in Digital and Interaction Design can work in the marketing and commercial divisions, through his/her innovation contributions to the customer relationship; s/he can be involved in consulting firms for product and process innovation; in Design and Architecture professional firms; in large-scale retail; in telecommunication and service companies.
S/he can work as a project manager and chief design officer in different fields of application of digital technologies. S/he can work as a freelancer and can be the promoter of new business ventures. 

skills of this function:
This study programme provides the right training for a designer profile with specific skills in the following fields:
- Analysis of contexts, individual and social behaviour with the purpose to design interactive solutions based on the use of digital technologies

- Analysis and modelling of cognitive and emotional processes involved in interactive processes;

- Design and representation of scenarios, systems, processes, products and interfaces;

- Realization of physical and virtual prototypes;

- Test and evaluation of interactive experience;

- Design of products, environments, services and interactive systems;

- Technological feasibility study of systems and products;

- Design in multidisciplinary teams;

- Co-design with users, participatory design and open processes;

- Analysis of factors of economic, regulatory and distribution complexity of systems, products and technological services, and preparation of business plans;

- Communication design and management to support the project of innovative and technological solutions;

- Self-updating with respect to the evolution of digital technologies, tools and interactive media.

Job opportunities:
The study programme provides the right training for the profession of digital designer, interaction designer, user experience designer, interface designer, information architect, service designer, developer of smart product/smart spaces, web content specialist, front-end web developer, app developer, web designer, web developer, mobile designer, web designer, trans-media producer.
The job opportunities, and the areas of reference offered by the Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to Master of Science) Programmes of this class, are the freelance, institutions, public and private bodies, design companies, enterprises and companies operating in the field of interactive product development based on the use of digital, electronic and network technologies.

6. Enrolment

6.1 Access requirements

First cycle degree (level 6 EQF) or comparable qualification

Candidate admission is dependent on assessments of merit and of the contents of previous courses of study. Students from other campuses or dissimilar study programmes will be required to undergo assessment of their educational background in order to identify any supplementary courses of study which may be required before admission to the Laurea Magistrale study programme.

Qualifications required for admission:

-  Level I or II laurea;

-  Appropriate English languages skills certification.

Updates to the “Guida all’ammissione alla Laurea Magistrale” are published every year on the School's site including detailed information on the material required for admission applications, how to register and deadlines, admission without assessment and reasons for non admission. Minimum laurea marks required for admission are also shown.

Students requiring supplementary studies prior to admission must fulfil these within one year of the date of assessment.

6.2 Requested knowledge

Access to the assessment procedure for the purposes of admission to the Master's Degree Courses offered by the School of Design is granted to:

Politecnico di Milano graduates/undergraduates with a weighted average of not less than 23/30  and in possession of a suitable English language certificate;

- candidates graduating from other Italian universities with a weighted average of no less than 25/30 and in possession of a suitable English language certificate;

- candidates who have graduated from foreign universities and have a suitable English language certificate (an Italian language certificate is also required in the case of a section with teaching in Italian).

 

The English language certificate for candidates with an Italian qualification must be submitted by the application deadline:

https://www.polimi.it/studenti-iscritti/lingua-inglese/studenti-dei-corsi-di-laurea-magistrale/

For candidates with a foreign qualification check the link below:

https://www.polimi.it/en/international-prospective-students/laurea-magistrale-programmes-equivalent-to-master-of-science/application-procedures/application/list-of-documents-required-by-the-admissions-office/

To be admitted to the Master's degree course in Digital and Interaction Design, students must hold a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad, in one of the following classes:

L-4 Industrial design

L-17 Architectural Sciences

L-8 Computer Engineering

L-9 Industrial Engineering

L-31 Computer Science and Technology

or equivalent qualification obtained abroad. Applicants with a foreign qualification will only be assessed if the course of study allows admission without curricular supplements.

 

Bachelor degree holders may also enrol, provided they meet specific curricular requirements as specified below:

a total of at least 40 ECTS credits obtained in the macro-sectors 08/C DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGICAL DESIGN OF ARCHITECTURE, 01/B INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,

and/or in the SSDs ICAR/16 INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND FURNISHING, ICAR/17 DESIGN, ING-INF/05 - INFORMATION PROCESSING

SYSTEMS, ING-INF/06 - ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER BIOENGINEERING.

 

In the absence of these curricular requirements, supplements will be assigned.

Fulfilment of the necessary curricular requirements is assessed by a special CdS Committee.

The committee will advise the applicant of the need to supplement their qualifications before proceeding to assess the individual's preparedness.

These supplements must be fulfilled within one year of the application for evaluation: students in these circumstances may also supplement their plan by bringing forward, through registration in single courses, Master's degree courses up to a maximum of 32 ECTS credits.

To check the curricular supplements assigned, please check Annex 2 in the Admission Guide to the Master's Degree Courses of the School of Design:

https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/documents/career-guides

 

It is only possible to apply for admission to the 1st semester, according to the periods indicated in the academic calendar and the procedures detailed in the Admission Guide to the School of Design's Master's Degree Courses. 

The deadlines, application procedures and documents required for candidates with an Italian qualification are indicated in the Admission Guide to the Master's Degree Courses of the School of Design:

https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/documents/career-guides

The deadlines, application procedures and documents required for candidates with foreign qualifications can be found at the following link:

https://www.polimi.it/en/international-prospective-students/laurea-magistrale-programmes-equivalent-to-master-of-science/application-procedures/

 

 Admission to the Master's degree is by means of an online application and is subject to the assessment of the candidate's previous career and individual preparation by a special committee whose decision is final. In the event of a unfavourable assessment, the Committee will give appropriate reasons for the decision.

 For the assessment of an individual's readiness, the weighted average (only for candidates with an Italian qualification), consistency with the Level I course and documents relating to projects carried out in the three-year period, extra-curricular educational and professional experiences will be assessed.

Evaluation criteria, cases exempt from assessment (admission de jure) for candidates with an Italian qualification are indicated in the Admission Guide to the Master's Degree Courses of the School of Design:

https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/documents/career-guides

 

Transitions and transfers

Students already enrolled in Master's degree courses at the Politecnico di Milano in previous academic years may apply to transfer to another course; students enrolled in Master's degree courses at other universities may apply to transfer; both procedures may be carried out through the online services with the same deadlines and procedures provided for new admissions to the Master's degree course.

Applications for Transition and Transfer are only possible in the 1st semester.

Acceptance of transfer applications from eligible candidates is subject to compliance with the numbers allocated for each Master's degree: if transfer applications exceed the number allocated for this procedure, a ranking will be drawn up.

The acceptance of transfer applications from eligible candidates is subject to their being placed in a useful position in the ranking list for newly enrolled candidates.

Guide to admission
http://www.design.polimi.it/it/studiare-design/guide-alla-carriera/

6.3 Deadlines for admission and number of places available

Posti disponibili per gli ingressi:

- LM Digital and Interaction Design (sede di Milano): 80 studenti di cui 0 riservati a studenti extracomunitari di3cui 2 cinesi del progetto "Marco Polo".

Come diventare studente al Politecnico di Milano
https://aunicalogin.polimi.it/aunicalogin/getservizio.xml?id_servizio=204&idApp=1&idLink=2968

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;

- guidance and support for students for the activation of curricular internships;

- 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 Master's degree courses, both at the desk and through the new communication channels set up by the School;

- support for foreign students enrolled in English-language Master's degree courses and for students on international mobility;

- 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 inform future students about the educational and training activities of their courses of study in order to clarify the educational objectives and professional opportunities.

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 WeBeep 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; the coordinators may organise this lesson collectively with the other courses of study or on the first day of class of one of the subjects of the specific Master's degree course. Second-year students are provided with information on the range of courses on offer and on initiatives specific to their year.

The focuses of Lesson 0 are:

- Course Organisation and University Services (I LM);

- Erasmus Placement (II LM);

- postgraduate: masters and doctorate

- job market and Career Service (II LM);

- student opinion questionnaire (I and II LM);

- questionnaire on services and overall training pathway (II LM);

- final examination: type, choice of supervisor and final grade (II LM).

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.

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

To be eligible for the final examination of Laurea Magistrale, students must:
- To have accomplished 120 credits required in Level II of the Master including the credits related to the Internship and the credits of the final examination.
- To have developed an individual thesis under the guidance of a tutor, which can be either a projectable work, a theoretical-methodological deepening, or a historical/critical analysis.
The final examination of the Laurea Magistrale consists in the discussion of the individual thesis which must be written under the direction of the official teacher, thesis supervisor.

 

For more information on this subject refer to Regolamento Esame di Laurea Magsitrale published on the School website.

For admission to the Laurea Magistrale final exam students must:
- have obtained the 120 ECTS required for a Level II Laurea Magistrale including credits relating to internships and final exams.
- have written an individual thesis under the guidance of a Supervisor taking the form of a project or theoretical-methodological or historical-critical considerations.
The Laurea Magistrale exam consists of a discussion on students' individual theses led by a teaching staff officer, the thesis supervisor.

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 40 CFUs for MSc 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 Laurea Magistrale programme is full time. It uses a number of educational methods: the single subject courses contain theoretical contents which are taught by means of ex cathedra lessons and assessed with tests and interviews throughout the year.
Integrated courses involve more than one discipline or specific sphere and they are sometimes entrusted to two members of the teaching staff who integrate their contributions.
The Experimental Laboratories offer students the opportunity to experiment and use the tools, technologies and equipment useful for the project.
The Laboratories involve project work by students under the guidance of a teaching staff team each of whom offer their own subject matter as applied to the project theme. The Workshops are full time courses lasting a week in which students develop a project under the guidance of a well regarded professional or a company.
The Erasmus Programme and the other international mobility programmes are an opportunity for students to spend a study semester abroad at qualified European and non-European design universities.
Professional Internship is a period of time spent at one of the Politecnico's partner companies or design studios under the guidance of a School tutor or a tutor appointed by the company.

Optional student courses

In the Laurea Magistrale programme 18 credits are awarded to optional courses.

Students are required to choose their optional courses on presentation of their first year study plans. Similarly when they present their second year study plans they will be required to choose a second course.

The optional courses take place in both 1st and 2nd semesters.

Internships - Laurea Magistrale

In Laurea Magistrale students carry out an internship at a company, professional studio, study centre, body, etc. with a partnership agreement with the Politecnico di Milano which fulfils the requirements of current legislation specifying that, on completion of the agreed internship period a certificate will be issued. minimum 250 hrs (+ professional workshop). The internship cannot last more than a year).

Such internships can be incorporated into students' study plans in either the 1st or the 2nd year of study depending on the organisation of the student's course of study.

Internship is an educational experience which gives students real experience of the world of work. The host company must be aware of and agree to the legal regulations and the need for educational support and the student must accept and show an ability to respect the company's rules and behaviours.

For additional information on how to draw up a study plan, educational priorities, attendance requirements and exam sessions, etc., you are advised to consult the document “Implementing Norms for Educational Regulations” available for consultation on the School's site.

Guide to the Study Plan and allocations in sections and elective courses for the Degree and Master's Degree Courses
https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/documents/career-guides
Internship
https://www.design.polimi.it/en/1/teaching/studying-design/curricolar-internships

7.3 Detailed learning objectives

Students' ability to choose the courses and credits to be incorporated into their study plans is subordinate to a series of rules imposed by the School which makes available an educational programme worth 60 credits for each year of the course (nominal courses).

Each year students can choose courses for a different number of credits than that specified by the nominal courses (60 ECTS per year) to graduate their study programmes according to their needs.

The minimum number of credits a student can enrol on is 30 unless the number of credits needed for course completion are fewer than this.

The maximum number of credits a student can enrol on is 80, respecting exam priorities.

The current framework of the study plan requires the course exam sequence to be respected as shown in the Regulations.

Courses designed for later years of the programme cannot be inserted into an earlier year study plan (“advance study”) unless all previous and current year courses have also been integrated into it.

The School has also implemented an exam priority sequence on the basis of which certain courses can only be enrolled on if other, introductory courses have already been passed. Students may actually be able to enrol on fewer credits than is nominally the case as a result of this rule.

The System Regulations require a series of educational activities (specialist, elective or supplementary) which are present in the course of study in the form of single subject and integrated courses and Design studio in which the two-year Laurea Magistrale's educational content is conveyed.

Laurea Magistrale

In addition to these types of educational activities the System Regulations also require that a specific number of credits are attributed to types of activity which can be categorised as follows:

-  educational activities chosen independently by students (Optional courses);

-  educational activities relating to preparation for the final exams required for the qualification to be awarded (Final exam);

-   activities designed to enable students to gain additional language skills, IT, telematic and relational skills which will help them in finding employment as well as educational activities designed to facilitate professional choices by giving students direct experience of working in the sector which the qualification can gain them access to including, in particular, educational work experience and guidance (Internships).

Ambassador Programme

Within the context of the interuniversity framework project "Tecnologie delle Transizioni", Politecnico di Milano wants to activate high-level training courses aimed at creating new professional figures in Green Technologies, Smart Infrastructures, Inclusivity Design and Creative Thinking that:

• have skills in specific areas consistently with the training project (green/smart/inclusivity/creative)

• acquire enabling digital technologies in line with the profile
• master interdisciplinary tools, methods, and aptitude for a systemic vision
• develop talent to operate in interdisciplinary and multisectoral contexts acquired through exposure, even in teams, to case studies and challenges
• Will have systemic skills, interdisciplinary vision and a strong attention to the design of inclusive contexts, spaces, artefacts, infrastructures, technologies, products and services, enhancing the sense of equity.

The Laurea Magistrale Programme in Digital and Interaction Design will activate in the academic year 2023/2024 the training programme Ambassador in Green Technologies.

Once the student is registered for the programme, he/she will have to insert in the study plan at leat 30 credits related to the Ambassador in Green Technologies profile. These credits must include a minimum of 12 credits from list A and 18 credits from list B: 6 credits from these last ones will be inserted in the sudy plan as “effective” and will count towards the 120 credits needed to earn the Laurea Magistrale Degree, while the other credits will be added in a supernumerary position.

The registration at the Ambassador Programme is incompatible with the registration to (internal or external) Double Degrees or to the ASP.

Polimi Ambassador
https://www.polimi.it/en/programmes/high-level-training-courses/green-technologies-smart-infrastructures-e-inclusivity-design
Design Ambassador
https://www.design.polimi.it/it/didattica/offerta-formativa/percorsi-ambassador

1 Year courses - Track: DI1 -DI2

Code	Educational activities	SSD	Course Title		Language	Sem	CFU	CFU Group
053659	B	ICAR/13	DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO			2	12,0	12,0
052883	B,C	ICAR/13 M-DEA/01	BASIC OF INTERACTION DESIGN			1	6,0 [3,0]	6,0
054577	B	ICAR/13 ING-INF/05	HARDWARE & SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DESIGN			1	6,0 [3,0]	6,0
052886	B,C	ICAR/13 INF/01	UX-DESIGN			1	6,0 [3,0]	6,0
051475	B	M-FIL/04	DIGITAL ART			1	6,0	6,0

1 Year courses - Track: *** - offerta con opzione di sezione

Code	Educational activities	SSD	Course Title		Language	Sem	CFU	CFU Group
Laboratori a scelta / Elective project studios
058433	B	ICAR/13	EMBODIED INTERACTION STUDIO			2	12,0	12,0 (Grp. Opz.)
059370	B	ICAR/13 ING-INF/05	ENVISIONING AI THROUGH DESIGN			2	12,0
062150	B	ING-IND/15	VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL PROTOTYPING			2	6,0 [2,0]	6,0 (Grp. Opz.)
062151	B	ING-IND/15	VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS AND DIGITAL TWINS			2	6,0 [2,0]
051471	B,C	ICAR/13 ING-INF/06	USER CENTRED DESIGN WORKSHOP			2	6,0	6,0

2 Year courses - offerta con opzione di sezione

Code	Educational activities	SSD	Course Title		Language	Sem	CFU	CFU Group
062157	B,C	ICAR/13 ING-INF/05 L-ART/06	FINAL DESIGN STUDIO SEZ.1 (a)			1	12,0	12,0 (Grp. Opz.)
062158	B,C	ICAR/13 ING-INF/05 L-ART/06	FINAL DESIGN STUDIO SEZ.2 (b)			1	12,0
097919	B	ING-IND/35	BUSINESS INNOVATION			1	6,0	6,0 (Grp. Opz.)
058086	B	ING-IND/35	BUSINESS INNOVATION-COME CREARE VALORE CON L'INNOVAZIONE			1	6,0
Corsi a scelta 2° anno - gruppo 1 ssd ICAR 13 / Elective courses 2st year - group 1 ssd ICAR 13
061596	B	ICAR/13	AI-POWERED DESIGN			2	6,0	6,0 (Grp. Opz.)
053434	B	ICAR/13	DIGITAL STRATEGY			2	6,0 [6,0]
053749	B	ICAR/13	ERASMUS EXPERIENCE			2	6,0 [2,0]
053749	B	ICAR/13	ERASMUS EXPERIENCE			1	6,0 [2,0]
056352	B	ICAR/13	ERGONOMICS APPLIED TO THE DESIGN OF USABLE WEB PAGES AND APPS			1	6,0
059735	B	ICAR/13	IMPACT DESIGN. SHAPING COMMUNITY-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS			1	6,0
058399	B	ICAR/13	SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES AND DESIGN (c)			2	6,0
058404	B	ICAR/13	TEMPORARY AND INCLUSIVE URBAN SOLUTIONS (d)			2	6,0 [2,0]
Corsi a scelta 2° anno - gruppo 2 / Elective courses 2st year - group 2
062705	B	ICAR/13 ING-IND/15	ADVANCED HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACES			2	6,0	6,0 (Grp. Opz.)
059731	B	L-ART/03	ART DIRECTION E COPYWRITING: LIBERTÀ, PROGETTAZIONE, COMUNICAZIONE			2	6,0 [4,0]
054986	B	L-ART/03	ARTE CONTEMPORANEA E SPAZI			2	6,0 [1,0]
058189	B	ICAR/13 ING-INF/05	DESIGN AND ROBOTICS (e)			2	6,0
053431	B	ICAR/13	DESIGN DELLA COMUNICAZIONE E CULTURE DI GENERE (f)			2	6,0 [4,0]
059801	B	ICAR/13	DESIGN PER LA VALORIZZAZIONE DEI BENI CULTURALI			1	6,0
056524	B	ICAR/13	DESIGN RESEARCH PLANNING			2	6,0
059603	--	SECS-P/08	DIGITAL DESIGN PLAYGROUND			1	6,0
058161	B	ING-IND/35	DIGITAL INNOVATION FOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE DESIGN			1	6,0 [2,0]
058192	B	ICAR/13 ICAR/20	DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT			1	6,0
053611	B	M-PSI/01	EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS II - IMPROVE YOUR NTS (NON-TECHNICAL-SKILLS)			2	6,0 [6,0]
062639	--	ING-IND/14	FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION FOR DESIGN PRODUCTS			2	6,0
053459	B	ICAR/13	ERASMUS EXPERIENCE			2	6,0 [2,0]
053459	B	ICAR/13	ERASMUS EXPERIENCE			1	6,0 [2,0]
059737	B	ICAR/13	EVENT DESIGN			2	6,0
059572	B	ICAR/17 ING-IND/15	EXTENDED REALITY FOR CREATIVITY IN DESIGN			2	6,0
056874	--	ING-INF/01	FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRONICS FOR DESIGN (g)			2	6,0
059738	B	ICAR/16	ILLUMINARE LA CITTÀ			1	6,0
056443	B	ICAR/13	ITALIAN DESIGN WAY: AN INTRODUCTION			2	6,0
055105	--	ICAR/15	LECTURES-LANDSCAPE			1	6,0 [1,0]
054977	B	ICAR/13	LICENSING E BRAND EXTENSION			2	6,0 [6,0]
056442	B	ICAR/13	LIFE STYLE AND FASHION			1	6,0
057178	--	ING-IND/14	METHODS FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN			2	6,0
056872	B	ING-IND/15	METODI DI RAPPRESENTAZIONE PARAMETRICA			1	6,0
053477	C	ING-IND/22	NANOTECNOLOGIE E MATERIALI FUNZIONALI PER IL DESIGN			2	6,0
096777	B	ING-IND/15	REVERSE MODELING			2	6,0
054813	C	MAT/08	SHAPES AND ALGORITHMS: COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS FOR GENERATIVE DESIGN			2	6,0 [2,0]
058236	B,C	ICAR/13 ING-IND/22	SUSTAINABLE AND CIRCULAR MATERIALS FOR DESIGN			1	6,0
056440	B	ICAR/16	TEMPORARY EXHIBITION DESIGN			2	6,0
055141	B	SPS/08	TREND FORECASTING AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION			1	6,0 [4,0]
062845	B	ING-INF/05	VIDEOGAME DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING			1	6,0
Insegnamenti Ambassador Green Technologies - Tabella B
058226	B	ING-IND/35	CIRCULAR ECONOMY BUSINESS MODELS (h)			1	6,0	8,0
058227	B	ING-IND/35	COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND IMPACT (i)			1	6,0 [2,0]
058229	B	ING-IND/35 SECS-P/01	DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS (j)			2	8,0
058192	B	ICAR/13 ICAR/20	DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (k)			1	6,0
058230	B	ING-IND/35	MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND IMPACT (l)			1	6,0
062692	B	ING-IND/15	INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PATENTS IN INNOVATION (m)			1	6,0
058228	--	ING-IND/17	PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT (n)			2	6,0
058236	B,C	ICAR/13 ING-IND/22	SUSTAINABLE AND CIRCULAR MATERIALS FOR DESIGN			1	6,0
058110	--	--	INTERNSHIP		--	2	12,0	18,0
052760	--	--	PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP			1	6,0 [6,0]
058108	--	--	THESIS		--	1	12,0	12,0

^(a) Design for Meaning of Digital Futures Interaction (ambassador green)
^(b) MORE-THAN-HUMAN AI FOR REGENERATIVE FUTURES (ambassador green)
^(c) Closed number subject
^(d) Closed number subject
^(e) Closed number subject
^(f) Closed number subject
^(g) Closed number subject
^(h) Teaching Ambassador Green Table B
⁽ⁱ⁾ Teaching Ambassador Green Table B
^(j) Closed number subject
Teaching Ambassador Green Table B
^(k) Teaching Ambassador Green Table B
^(l) Teaching Ambassador Green Table B
^(m) Teaching Ambassador Green Technologies Table B
⁽ⁿ⁾ Teaching Ambassador Green Table B

7.4 Foreign language

Foreign language assessment will be carried out in accordance with the university's methods as set out on the page: https://www.polimi.it/futuri-studenti/ammissione-ai-corsi-di-laurea-magistrale/la-lingua-inglese .

Students are encouraged to read this document carefully and respect the norms set out in it.

Specifically, note that: "Pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/04 the Politecnico di Milano has adopted the English language as the European Union language which students must speak in addition to Italian".

 English language knowledge, according to the standards indicated by the University, is a registration pre-requisite.  For admission to the School of Design LM Study Programme, certificates must be submitted by candidates within the time frames for admission applications. This deadline must be respected by all students (from similar or different courses)

Information on English language fluency https://aunicalogin.polimi.it/aunicalogin/getservizio.xml?id_servizio=204&idApp=1&idLink=3860

Language courses
https://aunicalogin.polimi.it/aunicalogin/getservizio.xml?id_servizio=204&idApp=1&idLink=3048

7.5 Degree examination

Thesis work is strictly individual. Coordinated theses with a common introductory part and separate theses can be considered.

The thesis may be written by a maximum of three authors, even if they are enrolled in different Master's degree courses. The Committee must always be able to identify the contribution made by each appliant. 

There is only one Supervisor and they must be a lecturer (Professor or Researcher), whether permanent or contracted at the University (in the current or previous academic year) and may be a member of the Degree Committee. He/she may be assisted by one or more co-supervisors (CU) or by experts in specific subjects, even if they are external to the School.

The Supervisor is usually included in the Graduation Committee that will judge the undergraduate student and make its proposal for a mark.

The student submits a thesis to the Degree Examination Board, which may consist of:

1. the development of a theoretical, design, experimental or innovative research thesis (Research Thesis).

The Thesis must:

- explore the project in its technical-specialist and/or systemic aspects in relation to the educational objectives of the course of study. The discussion must include an in-depth theoretical/critical, methodological and/or historical dissertation and/or an in-depth experimental study;

- include a substantial preparatory part devoted to research conducted with scientific criteria and access to sources of scientific knowledge (databases, scientific articles, conference proceedings, etc...);

 - propose to deepen knowledge of a poorly established topic and its potential applications or a greater contribution to the advancement of knowledge in a specific research area (thesis of a more theoretical nature);

- require a minimum working time of 6 months; entitling the holder to a maximum of 8 points when assessing the dissertation and its presentation.

2. the development of a thesis to consolidate and refine knowledge already acquired (consolidation thesis). The thesis must:

- present the project by enhancing the technical-specialist and/or systemic aspects in accordance with the educational objectives of the course of study. The discussion should include an adequate methodological argumentation, historical aspects, theoretical/critical elements; 

- focus on topics well established in scientific research and design applications;

- include a part of research functional to the development of the project and the simple formulation of the basic assumptions and main hypotheses on which the proposed project application is based;

- focus primarily on potential project applications;

- require a minimum of 2 months of working time; gives a maximum score of 4 points when assessing the dissertation and its presentation. 

Students may choose either the assignment of the Research Thesis or the Consolidation Thesis.

However, the request for either type of thesis must be made (and assessed by the supervisor) on the basis of the minimum time required to complete either route and the commitment that the student intends to make to it.

 

During the course of the thesis, the supervisor may suggest to the student - in view of the aptitudes demonstrated, contingent interests and emerging time requirements - that the type and nature of the thesis be changed in both directions. It will then be the task of the supervisor to assess the final result and confirm or otherwise the correct change of the thesis' placement in the explicit category. The work must demonstrate the competence and critical capacity developed by the student in the areas of the project in relation to the contents of the course of study. The Thesis works consist of a report containing the stages of development, the objectives of the work, the bibliography and the sources of documentation; the technical drawings of the project, the physical and/or virtual model where applicable.

The student must provide the Commission with at least two copies of the thesis, which he may take back at the end of the discussion. The presentation of the project may be supplemented by a report on the work experience carried out in companies or professional studios.

The thesis is normally written in Italian or English. At the graduate student's justified request, a thesis written in other languages may also be accepted, subject to authorisation from head of Degrees but with presentation and discussion in Italian or English. If the thesis is written in English or another foreign language, it must in any case contain an extract in Italian.

Following the evaluation, presentation and discussion of the LM thesis, as well as of the student's entire career within the Master's degree course, the Degree Committee awards a score.

The mark is expressed in hundredths (/110). It consists of the sum of:

 1. the average achieved by the undergraduate in the courses, weighted by credits and expressed in hundredths and hundredths of a hundredths (without taking into account any additional activities and honours)

2. the increment awarded by the Degree Committees expressed in hundredths and hundredths of a hundredth. This sum shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number (0.50 is rounded up to 1.00) and limited to 110. The Degree

The minimum graduation mark will always be 66.

Committee may also award honours.

The score has a value

- between -1 and 8 points in the case of a theoretical, design, experimental or innovative research thesis (research thesis);

- between -1 and 4 points in the case of a thesis for the consolidation and improvement of knowledge already acquired (consolidation thesis).

In the case of five-year old theses, the score may be between 0 and 10 points.

 

Honours, which may also be proposed by the rapporteur, means a special commendation from the CL for the preparation and competence of the graduate, for their brilliant academic record, for the way in which they have presented their thesis, their ability to reason, and the quality and originality of the thesis. Honours may only be awarded if the mark given is, before rounding off, greater than or equal to 111 (one hundred and eleven) hundred decimal points.

Honours are awarded by unanimous decision of the members of the Degree Committee.

Further information can be found in the Master's Degree Examination Regulations available on the School's website. https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/documents/career-guides

 

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.

Information on Schedules and Deadlines
https://www.design.polimi.it/en/teaching/studying-design/lessons-timetable-calendars-and-deadlines

9. Faculty

The names of professors for each Course, together with their subject, will be available on the degree programme starting from the month of September.
The degree programme is annually published on the website of Politecnico di Milano.

10. Infrastructures and laboratories

The School of Design is based at Campus Bovisa-Candiani where the educational activities are held and where there are services for students (Instrumental laboratories, Library, Study room, Press Service,..)
https://maps.polimi.it/maps/

Design Laboratories
The creation of big instrumental laboratories supporting design education is in line with the Politecnico di Milano School of Design's experimental tradition, its inductive teaching model, in which 'knowledge' and 'know-how' are mutually supportive.
The purpose of these laboratories is the practice of activities which allow students to verify their design hypotheses and learn how to use the technical tools required for experimentation, representation and design communication.
The laboratories managed by the Design Department occupy an approximately 10,000 square metre space in the Milan Bovisa campus.

https://dipartimentodesign.polimi.it/en/laboratories

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 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), in Double Degree programmes, joint workshops with other schools, international internships and so on.
 
To encourage the internalisation most of the Master programmes are offer in English or have at least an English section.

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.

Each agreement is managed by a professor, promoter of the exchange responsible for the various steps of the mobility, from the selection until the validation of the exams.

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.
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,..).
 
 
 
Double Degrees
The School of Design has signed a series of bilateral agreements with some European and extra-European partners, to allow its students the opportunity to spend a period of study abroad, attending courses aimed at obtaining a double degree (master's degree + Diploma of the Partner University ).

Master's degree students have the opportunity to participate in a double degree project by extending their curriculum and replacing one semester at their home campus with two or three semesters at the host partner.

In order to obtain the two degrees, students must meet the requirements of both Universities or Schools and pass all the required exams. Students will also have to carry out a thesis work under the supervision of a thesis supervisor from the Polytechnic and a supervisor from the partner university and discuss the thesis in a regular graduation session in each of the two universities, even in virtual mode.

The double degree agreements available for LM students of the School of Design at the moment are:
In Europe:
Double Degree with Les Ecoles Centrales, France

In China:
Double Degree with Tongji University, Shanghai - China
Double Degree with Tsinghua University, Beijing - China
Double Degree with Xi'an Jiaotong University, China

In Latin America
Double Degree with the Universidad Nacional de Bogotà, Colombia
Double Degree with the Universidade De Sao Paulo, Brazil
Double Degree with the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
Double Degree with the Universidade do Vale do Rio Dos Sinos, Brazil

"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.

15. Errata corrige