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. 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

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 at POLI.design, Milan

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

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

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

Evaluation of pets’ daily activities and ethological needs in domestic routines. Transforming behavioral observation into insights and design requirements. Format: online

Module 6 | Hours: 4

Applied Zooanthropology for Product Design

Introduction to Zooanthropology applied to design: meanings, symbols, and social functions of relationships applied to product design. Analysis of usage scenarios in domestic, hospitality, and mobility contexts. Format: online

Module 7 | Hours: 4

Principles of Pet-Friendly and product-line design

Focus on principles of Pet-Friendly and product-line design: safety, materials, forms, affordances. Analysis of industrial design case studies in the pet and interior sectors. Project Work Launch. Format: online

Module 8 | Hours: 4

Analysis of emerging trends and multisensory solutions

Critical evaluation of design choices through an ethological–relational lens. Mid-term group review-Project Work. Format: online

Module 9 | Hours: 4

Introduction to service design for the pet sector

Design of touchpoints and integrated services oriented toward relational well-being. Final group review-Project Work. Format: online

Module 10 | Hours: 4

Project Work – Final Presentation

Discussion, advanced feedback, and professional orientation in the pet design sector. Diploma Ceremony. Format: online

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 

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. 

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

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

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. 

Faculty

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