Pet Design For Product and Services

Course

Designing spaces, products, and services for companion animals should foster their ethological wellbeing and social inclusion. Solutions must enhance mental and physical health, and strengthen the human–animal bond. Achieving this requires integrating technical expertise with insights from zooanthropology, ethology, and design culture.

The Executive Course in Pet Design for Product and Service is grounded in this interdisciplinary approach. The program explores methods for analyzing human and animal activities, starting with an understanding of their behaviors, relational dynamics, and cognitive processes. Here are the goals:

• Deepen understanding of perceptual mechanisms and animal physiology
• Learn how to transfer these concepts into the design process for objects and services
• Acquire multidisciplinary knowledge to innovate services and business strategies in the pet sector, interpret emerging trends and new market scenarios, and develop an interdisciplinary vision across design, animal behavior, and user experience.

The Course is aimed at designers, recent graduates, and companies in the pet, interior, and hospitality sectors, shaping a mindset that integrates pet-friendly thinking into projects and services. It’s ideal for those looking to innovate in this growing field. Admission is selective, and good English skills are required. Lasting 40 hours, the program includes lectures, seminars, and practical exercises, which main topics are:

• Perceptual physiology of dogs and cats in relation to spaces
• Cognitive ethology
• Applied zooanthropology in the field of design
• Relational design of furniture, products, and services within zooanthropological contexts.

Didactics

Attendance

Attendance at the Course is 80% mandatory.

Didactic Modules

The Executive Course lasts 40 hours and is delivered entirely in English. Classes are held online, with the option to attend in person. The only exceptions are the opening day on March 20th 2026, the mandatory visit to the pet-friendly Milano Design Week on April 25th, and the final presentation at the Bovisa Campus.

Module 1 | Hours: 4

Introduction to Pet Design

Pet Design as a relational and multidimensional discipline. Introduction to design methodology. Analysis of human–animal relational models as methodological foundations. Format: online or in person.

Module 2 | Hours: 4

The HAD Methodology for Environments and Furniture

Case study analysis focusing on Human Animal Design’s approach to creating pet-friendly spaces.
Format: online or in person.

Module 3 | Hours: 4

Fundamentals of Animal Physiology for Design

Focus on the body and sensory perception of dogs and cats applied to spatial and furniture design. Understanding the environment from the animal’s point of view: sensory perception and behavioral response.

Format: online or in person.

Module 4 | Hours: 4

The HAD Methodology for Product Design

Case study analysis focusing on Human Animal Design’s approach to creating pet-friendly objects.

Format: online.

Module 5 | Hours: 4

Everyday Pet Activities & Ethological Needs

In-depth focus of how to turn behavioral observations into insights and design requirements.
Format: online.

Module 6 | Hours: 4

Applied Zooanthropology for Product Design

Overview on meanings, symbols, and social functions of the human–animal relationship.
Analysis of use scenarios in domestic, hospitality, and mobility contexts.
Format: online.

Module 7 | Hours: 4

Principles of Pet-Friendly Product Design

Focus on safety, materials, forms, affordances. Analysis of industrial design case studies in the pet and interior sectors. Project Work Launch.
Format: online or in person.

Module 8 | Hours: 2

Emerging Trends & Multiexperiential Solutions

Critical evaluation of design choices through an ethological-relational lens.
Format: online or in person.

Module 9 | Hours: 2

Visit to Pet District

Visit to the Milan Design Week 2026, focusing on the initiatives taking place in the “Pet District”.
Format: in person.

Module 10 | Hours: 4

Service Design for the Pet Sector

Focus on designing touchpoints and integrated services that promote relational well-being. Mid-term group review.
Format: online.

Module 11 | Hours: 4

Final Project Work Presentation

Final presentations and evaluation by the POLI.design Faculty. Integrated application of ethological, zooanthropological, and design knowledge. Professional guidance in the pet design sector.
Format: online or in person.

Title Released

Upon completion, participants will receive the open badge for the Executive Course in Pet Design for Product and Services.

Admission

Requirements

The Course is intended for:

• Designers, product designers, and interior designers interested in integrating pet design strategies into their projects
• Companies in the pet industry seeking to develop new product strategies
• Graduates in Architecture, Engineering, and Design
• Companies in interior design and hospitality aiming to innovate their offering in a pet-friendly direction

Admission is subject to a preliminary selection (English proficiency is required).

To submit the application, follow the LINK, fill in the form and send the admission documents:

• Copy of ID and Tax Code
• CV summarizing academic and/or professional profile

Price

The total cost of the Course is 1.586,00 € (including VAT) for each student. This sum will be paid with a single payment upon signing the contract. 

PROMO 

COMBO PRICE 

Enroll in both Executive Courses – Pet Design – Interni e ambienti pet friendly and Pet Design for Product and Services – for a total fee of 2,600.00 € (instead of 3,172 €). 

EARLY BIRD -10%
The promotion for those who have clear ideas, know which educational path can enrich their future, and can’t wait to get back to the classroom. Limited places! See the page on the website. 

FAMILY SUPPORT: -50%
A chance to gift your siblings the encouragement they need to invest in their future. 

FRIEND TO FRIEND: -20%
An opportunity to gift to a friend to make education the foundation of their growth. 

POLI.NETWORK: -50%
A promotion designed to strengthen the bond and identity among members of the Politecnico di Milano community. 

BACK TO SCHOOL: -30% on Executive Courses
The discount for those who have already trusted POLI.design and Polimi, and wish to return to study and build their future 

MORE THAN ONE: -15%
A discount for those who want to perfect their skills, for those who continually invest in education, not just once but multiple times. 

BUSINESS BOOST
The discount designed for companies that recognize training as a crucial factor for growth. 

The “Business Boost” discount provides a variable reduction on the participation fee for two or more employees in catalog courses. Specifically, the discount amounts to: 

• 15% on the participation fee for the second employee’s enrollment 

• 20% on the participation fee for the third employee’s enrollment 

• 25% on the participation fee from the fourth employee’s enrollment onwards 

Furthermore, companies that purchase more than one Course for two or more employees in the same calendar year can access an additional 10% discount on the total. 

A4NP
This educational program participates in the ‘Action for Non Profit’ initiative, which provides free access (while supplies last) to NGO staff. Discover more!

Faculty

• A. Valletta
• A. Bonati
• S. Dedini
• R. Della Valle
• V. Marchesini
• C. Rabosio
• A. Rivolta