Sensorial Surface Design

Course

The Specializing Master in Sensorial Surface Design focuses on the design of the perceptive and technical aspects of surfaces as a privileged “place” for experiential interactions, research, experimentation and anticipation of aesthetic and socio-cultural trends. Starting from the functional and sensory qualities of surfaces, the Master’s course focuses on the design of the emotional identity of furniture products and interiors.

The specialised skills offered by the Specializing Master cover both the theoretical, technical and practical aspects linked to colour, materials and finishes and the intangible aspects linked to the sensorial experience and perception of value.

Didactics

Training objectives

The training objectives of the Specializing Master are:

• skills in designing the perceptual and technical aspects of surfaces;
• design skills and management of the perceptual, sensory and emotional implications of furniture and interior design products;
• specialist skills in CMF design;
• ability to analyse trends and transformations in order to respond to the new needs of production sectors and markets.

Didactic Plan

The Specializing Master is based on a mix of theoretical lectures, testimonials and in-depth technical studies, correlated with practical activities and workshops.

At the end of the course, project works lasting a total of 105 hours are carried out in small teams.

Types of activities

• Introductory and specialised lectures by a highly qualified faculty made up of Politecnico di Milano professors, professionals and sector experts from the business world.
• Testimonials and technical insights from designers and companies.
• Practical activities and workshops to acquire project and management skills.
• Project works carried out in small teams starting from project briefs with the support of companies, professionals and sector experts.
• Students will have to choose between the 400-hour professional project or the 400-hour internship in companies and professional studios, with the aim of testing and expanding the skills acquired during the Master’s course in the world of work.

All the activities are conducted in English.

Didactic Modules

The master is divided into teaching modules organized on 2 full-time days per week (14 hours). The Project works module is organized on 5 full-time days per week (for a total of 105 hours).
The teaching modules, which begin in October and end in June, are followed by the internship or professionalizing project (400 hours).

1. Module: Basics
1.1. Design Culture
Introduction to Italian Design | Design primario | CMF Design
1.2. Color Design
Colour: experiences and meanings | Color harmony | Color preferences | Color management and
communication | Color palette
1.3. Material Design
Materials and finishes, technical and emotional aspects
1.4. CMF Design
Qualistica | Soft qualities | CMF Design

2. Module: Trend research and forecasting
2.1. Perceptual and social aspects
Visual and sensory perception | Social and cultural context | Social forecasting
2.2. Moodboard Design
Material boards and colour boards | Graphic techniques and software design
2.3. Trend Research and Strategy
Trend research tools and methodologies | Trend report
2.4. Colour Trend
Fashion and historical trend | Micro and macro trends

3. Module: Experience and Strategic Design
3.1. User experience
Research and practices | Methods and tools for experience evaluation
3.2. Strategic design
The strategic approach to innovation | Storytelling and Marketing | Design, branding and
innovation

4. Module: Surface Design
4.1. Technical and aesthetic qualities of surfaces
Functional and emotional attributes | Perceived values and qualities
4.2. Workshop

5. Module: Sensorial and Emotional Design
5.1. Designing the sensorial and emotional aspects of surfaces, furniture and interiors
Emotional characters | Soft qualities
5.2. Workshop

6. Module: Furniture Design
6.1. Soft redesign
Innovations in aesthetic and use | CMF directions and strategies
6.2. Workshop

7. Module: Project works
7.1. Project work: Surfaces
7.2. Project work: Furniture
7.3. Project work: Interiors

8. Module: Empowerment
8.1.Portfolio
8.2. Career Coaching Lab

Internships or professionalizing projects (400 hours).

Title Released

The Diploma of Specializing Master in Sensorial Surface Design by Politecnico di Milano will be awarded, with a course attendance rate of over 75%.

The Specializing Master program grants 60 CFU (Formative University Credits) equivalent to 60 ECTS.

Employment Opportunities

The professional figure trained by the Specializing Master can work in the different sectors of Furniture/Interior design within company teams dedicated to CMF Design, Colour design, Material design and Surface design.

Admission

Requirements

Candidates are admitted to the Specializing Master if they have a degree or Master’s degree in design, engineering or architecture. For the purposes of admission, the profile of candidates not belonging to the above categories may be evaluated by the management.

For foreign candidates, equivalent qualifications in the respective study systems will be considered valid.

Deadlines

To participate in the selections you must fill out the online application form by the following deadlines:

• EU/ Non-EU who graduated in Italy / EU citizens with qualification gained abroad by August 24th, 2024;

• Non-EU citizens who graduated abroad by July 24th, 2024.

Price

The cost of the Specializing Master is € 12.000, divided as follows:

• € 11.500 cost of the Master;
• € 500 enrolment fee at the Politecnico di Milano.

POLI.design offers the community of Politecnico di Milano a 50% discount to be applied to the participation fee for a I and II level Specializing Master or Higher Education Course / Post Graduate Program / Continuing Education Course which POLI.design manages and provides. The discount is for internal staff (i.e., structured teachers and technical and administrative staff) with active contracts at Politecnico di Milano and members of their household.

HOW IT WORKS:

To benefit from the discount you will need to:

• send the selection application to the chosen course with the relevant required documents;
• successfully pass the selections;
• send a copy of the applicant’s family status.

Faculty

Partners

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