Sensorial Surface Design

Course

The Specializing Master in Sensorial Surface Design focuses on the design of the perceptual 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 training program is based on a mix of theoretical lessons, insights with companies and experts, practical activities, workshops and project works.

At the end of the classroom training course, the professionalizing project or internship experience aims to experiment and expand the skills acquired in the world of work.

Types of activities

• Introductory and specialized lectures by a highly qualified faculty made up of Politecnico di Milano professors, professionals and sector experts.
• Experiences and insights from companies and sector experts.
• Practical activities and workshops to acquire design practices.
• Project works carried out in small teams starting from project briefs formulated in collaboration with companies.
• Professionalizing project or internship in companies, design studios or research center operating in the fields of CMF design, surface design and color and material research and application.

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 | Surface 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
Traditional, innovative and functional materials | Sustainable materials and strategies for their selection
1.4. CMF Design
Designing emotional identities
Qualistic | Soft qualities | CMF Design and strategy

2. Module: Trend research and forecasting
2.1. Perceptual and social aspects
Visual and sensory perception | Social and cultural context | Social forecasting
2.2. Trend Research and Strategy
Trend research tools and methodologies | Trend analysis
2.3. Moodboard Design
Digital and physical mood boards | Graphic and software design
2.4. Colour Trend
Micro and macro trends | Color research and applications

3. Module: Experience and Strategic Design
3.1. User experience
Designing meaningful products
UX research and practices | Methods and tools for experience evaluation
3.2. Strategic design
The strategic approach to innovation
Design as a strategic tool for business | Design, branding and innovation

4. Module: Surface Design
4.1. Workshop
Functional and aesthetic qualities of surfaces

5. Module: Sensorial and Emotional Design
5.1. Workshop
Designing the sensorial and emotional characters

6. Module: Furniture Design
6.1. Workshop
Soft redesign: need for continuity and change

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.

The formal evaluation of the study title eligibility is by Politecnico di Milano. As a consequence the formal application should be done on the website www.polimi.it (the steps are described in the following weblink).

In particular, the steps that you will have to follow are those mentioned from page 1 to page 8 (by clicking on the following link you will find yourself directly in the same page shown on guidelines).

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 21st, 2025;

• Non-EU citizens who graduated abroad by July 21st, 2025.

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.

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.

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: -1.000€ on Specializing Masters
The discount for those who have already trusted POLI.design and Polimi, and wish to return to study and build their future.

PER MERITO

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