Pet Design

Course

Since 2021, data from various accredited sources such as FEDIAF (European Pet Food Federation) indicate an increase in the number of pets in the homes of Italians and Europeans. Euromonitor estimated the presence of 64.95 million animals in 2022, of which almost 19 million are dogs and cats (the latter now number more than 10 million). If we restrict the perimeter to the European Union alone, there will be more than 230 million pets. Given these numbers and the ethical issues involved, it seems obvious that spaces and products must also be designed with a view to improving the quality of the relationship between humans and pets.

The course in “Pet Design” is the first in Italy and in Europe to set this objective, to lay the conceptual foundations to create more inclusive environments by combining the care, comfort and wellbeing aspects of the hetero-specific system within built contexts. The AAES Hetero-Specific Environments and Furnishings© ™ method proposed by The HAD Human Animal Design studio is based on a systemic-relational approach. Here, the quality of the animal’s life becomes an expression of its system of relationships and the characteristics of the surrounding context, the design solutions are inspired by the principles of inclusiveness, relationship, well-being and design.

The course is divided into the following subject areas: design, veterinary medicine, zoo-anthropology, followed by a design part. Lectures and exercises are held on days and times that allow attendance even by those already working. Below are some of the topics hat will be covered.

• Design according to the principles of zoo-anthropology and holistic design
• Design according to the AAES Environment and Hetero-Specific© ™ approach
• Dog and cat perception and physiology, pet needs
• Introduction to Ethology and case studies on the relationship between environment and animal behaviour
• Case studies on designing for the needs of pets

Some numbers

Testimonials

Didactics

Attendance

Attendance at the course is 80% mandatory.

Training objectives

Acquiring basic knowledge and sensitivity in the field of Design for pets living in artificial environments (products, décor, spaces).

Acquiring basic knowledge and sensitivity of companies operating within the field or those which would like to create new products and services dedicated to pets, providing them with guidelines in order to create a unique and ethologically correct value proposition, as it would be oriented towards the well-being of the animals and their living system.

Acquire basic knowledge of the AAES method Straight Specific Environments and Furniture© ™ and design thinking method applied to the “user-centred” “relation-centred” “meaning-centred” project, with the purpose of defining intrinsic qualities of the product: interactional and relational and environmental (including materials, colours, finishes, using a holistic approach) as key factors to improve the pet’s well-being and its relation and cohabitation with humans.

Acquiring basic knowledge on relational and zoo-anthropological ethology, which will serve as a baseline to this course.

Didactic Plan

The course includes 2- or 4-hours teaching units for a total of 7 days.

Units are divided into theoretical frontal teaching and practical activities.

The lessons will be held in face-to-face or remote modality, according to the calendar.

In order to allow working people to attend, it has been decided to organise lectures and practical activities on Friday afternoon or Saturday.

Practice will be based on real case studies and will involve companies and professional who will be able to orient participants towards a context as closed as possible to the professional and working world.

Didactic Modules

The course consists of theoretical lectures and exercises for a total of 36 hours. In order to allow attendance also by people who are already working, teaching is provided on Friday afternoons or Saturdays.

The course is held in presence, with the possibility of attending it also via streaming. In this case, attendance is strongly recommended for the project modules and it is specified that in the case of online attendance there are no recordings nor activities/materials in asynchronous mode.

The exercises are based on real cases with the involvement of companies and professionals who are able to define a context as close as possible to the working and professional reality.

Module 1 | Hours: 1
Course Presentation.
Designing according to the principles of zoo anthropology.

Module 2 | Hours: 3
Stories and projects for multi-species inhabitants

Module 3 | Hours: 1
CASE STUDY: The HAD Human Animal Design

Module 4 | Hours: 2
The AAES Project

Module 5 | Hours: 1
Company CASE STUDY

Module 6 | Hours: 1
Company CASE STUDY

Module 7 | Hours: 2
Perception and physiology of the dog and cat

Module 8 | Hours: 2
Designing dog living through the dimensions of relationship

Module 9 | Hours: 2
Dog and cat needs and living

Module 10 | Hours: 2
Designing cat dwelling through the dimensions of relationship

Module 11 | Hours: 1
CASE STUDY: UNITED PETS
The world of the pet meets the design

Module 12 | Hours: 2
The housing design of cats

Module 13 | Hours:1
Design Strategies for Veterinary Architecture Hospital

Module 14 | Hours: 2
Launch Workshop+1 h debriefing

Module 15 | Hours: 1
Condomicio – visit

Module 16 | Hours: 2
Understanding the dog with the breed motivations

Module 17 | Hours: 2
Mid-term Revision

Module 18 | Hours: 1
The game in the dog

Module 19 and 20 | Hours: 7
Workshop and course closing

Title Released

For professionals in the sector or those wishing to work in the sector, the course provides basic knowledge and awareness of pet living design (products, furniture, spaces) within designed environments.

At the end of the Course participants will receive the open badge for the Pet Design Course from POLI.design

Admission

Requirements

The course is open to professionals in Product and Interior Design; Ethology and Animal well-being, R&D Pet Industry and Animal-Care businesses.

Admission to the course is subject to prior selection.

Applicants need to send the selection documents via the following link:

• Application for admission
• Copy of ID and fiscal code
• CV including brief description of professional profile

Deadline to send your application: September 10, 2024

Price

The total cost of the Course is € 1,300 + VAT 22 % for each student. This sum will be paid with a single payment upon signing the contract.

PROMO

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. Expired

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

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.

WEBINAR ATTENDEES
10% discount on the participation fee for those who participated in one of the webinars delivered on Pet topic (webinars delivered on the same topic in the year 2023 are also included).

Attendance Benefits
Partial exemptions of 20% for the second employee enrolled in the same course.
Requirement to file the request: self-certification stating that the employees belong to the same company plus the required documents for the selection process.

Faculty

• Prof. Roberto Marchesini
• Dr.ssa Simona Cao, MVC Medico Veterinario esperto in comportamento
• Dr. Luca Cantini, MVC Medico Veterinario esperto in comportamento
• Dr.ssa Virginia Raboso, etologa
• Arch. Antonella Dedini, architetto e designer
• Cristina Rivolta, Owner United Pets srl
• Massimo Persichino, Il Condomicio
• Mario Colombo,  Frida’s Friends Onlus
• Dott.ssa Caterina Del Bo, responsabile Coadiutori Frida’s Friends Onlus
• Simone Dalla Valle, istruttore cinofilo, autore
• Amelia Valletta, Director, Founder and Chief Officer The HAD Human Animal Design®

Partners

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