Design for Kids & Families

Course

Fashion, food, interiors, furniture—Italy excels in many areas of design. However, there is still significant potential to advance the development of product-service systems for children and families. The Specializing Master in Design for Kids & Families aims to fill this gap by equipping students with cross-disciplinary skills to cope with practical constraints—such as safety and regulations—while achieving broader objectives like cultural, cognitive, educational, recreational, and ethical goals. From toys to furniture, the goal is to train professionals capable of managing complex product-service systems designed for children and families.

The Specializing Master is organized with the patronage of Assogiocattoli, the association representing Italian toy manufacturers and distributors. This partnership strengthens the role of design in products and services for children and families. The program explores a wide range of topics, including strategic design and design thinking, human-centered design, materials and technologies, regulations and safety, intellectual property, pedagogy, psychology and cognitive ergonomics, marketing, communication, and product distribution processes.

Entirely taught in English, the program opens to new opportunities in a constantly evolving market. This flexible learning experience is tailored to individual needs. Here are the details of the program activities.

• Online theoretical modules, available asynchronously: video lectures, learning materials, texts, and self-assessment exercises accessible via an online platform
• On-site design workshops: intensive four-week project sessions, each in collaboration with companies in the sector
• Curricular internship or professional project (three months): an experience aimed at independently developing a final project

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ENTRAinGIOCO

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Workshops projects

Products now on the market

Testimonials

Didactics

Attendance

The training course is based on a online learning model. Using an e-learning platform, students are able to access theoretical training modules that they can manage independently according to their own schedule.

Following this, the programme includes workshop activities, for which physical presence at POLI.design is strongly recommended but not mandatory, and a project work developed during a professional internship.

Training objectives

The Specializing Master in Design for Kids & Families trains professionals capable of developing product-service systems for childhood and family. Key objectives include:

• Gaining full awareness of practical constraints, such as safety and compliance with regulations
• Understanding cultural, cognitive, educational, recreational, and ethical goals in child-centered design
• Developing the ability to conceive, design, and manage educational, playful, and formative projects and activities (such as workshops and labs)
• Recognizing cross-sector opportunities (from technology to services) to innovate design for children and families
• Acquiring tools to effectively communicate developed projects

The program also aims to foster cultural awareness among parents and caregivers, outlining the role of play in children’s educational development.

Didactic Modules

The blended learning program includes self-paced online content, two four-week in-person workshops, and a final internship or professional project. Asynchronous online learning (video lectures, theoretical content, and exercises) allows students to progress at their own pace, while in-person experiences are essential for applying knowledge and engaging with leading industry players. Below are the teaching areas; within each area there are several specific modules, each of which includes a written assignment.

Training Area 1
Communication

• Branding & Communication

Training Area 2
Human-Centered Design

• UX Design

Training Area 3
Design

• Board Game Design
• Product Design for Children’s Wellbeing
• Kids Furniture Design

Training Area 4
Psychology

Training Area 5
Materials and Technology

• Materials & Strategy for Sustainability
• New Materials

Training Area 6
Project Management

Training Area 7
Regulations

• Intellectual Property in the Toy Industry

Training Area 8
Marketing

• Marketing & Distribution

Training Area 9
Product-Service Systems

Training Area 10
ICT and Robotics

• Videogame Design

Training Area 11
Entrepreneurship & Strategy

• Design Leadership

Title Released

Upon completion, students receive the University Master’s Diploma in Design for Kids & Families from Politecnico di Milano. The program grants 60 CFU (ECTS credits).

Employment Opportunities

The Master aims to train professionals capable of leveraging all the potential and opportunities offered by technology and by the relevant sector, placing the child and the family at the center of every design and innovation process:

• Designers, consultants, and professionals capable of conceiving, developing, and managing product-service systems and educational, playful, and formative activities (workshops, labs)
• Entrepreneurs launching new ventures by seizing cross-sector opportunities (from technology to services)
• R&D Managers and technical office roles
• Marketing and communication managers in companies, agencies, and institutions focused on childhood and family-related businesses
• Retail managers specializing in the children and family market

Admission

Requirements

The Master is held in English: a good knowledge of the English language will be an advantage.

Master in Design for Kids & Families is open to applicants who have a University degree (Laurea, equivalent to a Bachelor of Science) under the old or the new educational system or a Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to a Master of Science) under the new educational system in Architecture, Engineering and Industrial Design, and in related economic disciplines, Communication Science, Educational Science and to applicants with equivalent qualifications.

The Board shall admit applicants who have qualifications in disciplines other than those specified above, if the Master may complete the training of the applicant or the professional skills and experience shown by same.

The selection is made by the Commission.

The selections will be made in chronological order with respect to the date of receipt of the application, until all available places have been filled.

Deadlines

To take part in the VII edition of the Specializing Master in Design for Kids & Families, starting on November 23rd, 2026, applications must be submitted according to the following criteria*:

Italian qualification within 60 days before the starting date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation letter
• Copy of ID document
• Other

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• ID document copy
• Copy of the Diploma Supplement and copy of the degree diploma or self-certification on the appropriate form that can be requested to POLI.design (selezioni@polidesign.net)
• ANIS certification (access to the ANIS portal is via SPID or CIE from the following link)

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link
____________________

European qualification within 60 days before the starting date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation Letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• Copy of ID document
• Copy of Diploma Supplement
• Photocopy of degree certificate

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

STEP 2
1) Documents to be sent for authenticity verification (within 45 days before the start date) 

• Diploma Supplement with a digital signature or verifiable QR code. Should the student lack a Diploma Supplement with a valid signature or verifiable QR code to verify its authenticity, the student will have to submit one of the documents required for students with a non-EU qualification (cfr. next item).

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link
____________________

Non-EU degree within 60 days before the start date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation Letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• Copy of ID document
• Degree in original language + Italian/English translation
• Original transcript of passed examinations + Italian/English translation

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

STEP 2
1) Documents to be sent for authenticity verification (within 45 days before the start date) 

• Enic/ Naric Certification or CIMEA 
• World Education Services (WES) Certification 
• Statement of value 
• Copy of the visa application or copy of the visa

According to the timeframe provided for by Italian law, the details of the application for a residency permit must also be communicated as well as the residency permit as soon as it is issued.

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

*Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered at the discretion of the Scientific Committee.

Price

The cost of the University Specializing Master’s programme is € 11.000 broken down as follows:

• € 500,00 – enrolment fee to be paid to the Politecnico di Milano, no later than 30 days before the starting date following the procedures that POLI.design will specify;
• € 10.500 – participation fee for the University Master’s Course to be paid to POLI.design following the procedures that will be specified upon admission.

PROMO

SUPER EARLY BIRD: -15%

A promo for those who are confident about their future path and don’t want to wait around. Enroll by January 30th, 2026 to get a 15% discount. The promotion applies until all spots are filled.

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.

SUPPLIERS

A 10% reduction to be applied on the participation fee (excluding registration fee or VAT) for suppliers and former suppliers of POLI.design. The reduction can be combined with other forms of discounts and/or exemptions*

*POLI.design reserves the right to verify the existence of the collaboration relationship.

PER MERITO

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