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  • Interior Design and Architecture
Specializing Master / XXIII edition

Interior Design

A Specializing Master’s program that equips young designers with the skills to tackle the evolving challenges of interior design — from sustainability and inclusivity to artificial intelligence and functional hybridization. Rooted in the Italian design tradition, the program takes a project-based approach that is both locally grounded and globally oriented.

16.500 €
Italian
9 Mar. 2026 - 31 Mar. 2027
Available seats : 35
In partnership with: SPD Scuola Politecnica di Design

Course

Interior design must respond to today’s needs and challenges. Sustainability, inclusivity, artificial intelligence, new technologies and materials, solutions for functional hybridization, and the relationship between spaces, user needs, and behaviors are all driving transformation in both the market and the profession.

For over 20 years, POLI.design and the Scuola Politecnica di Design have been offering the Master in Interior Design. Its goal is to train designers capable of reimagining and transforming interior spaces into innovative, functional, and meaningful environments — through constant dialogue with the most cutting-edge players in the industry.

The program is a meeting point between interior design expertise and the experimental, multidisciplinary approach of the Politecnico di Milano. The learning experience carefully balances technical-scientific knowledge with creative and project-based disciplines. The Master is constantly evolving to equip students with the tools they need to manage complex projects, enhance spatial identity, and respond to new ways of living.

The twelve-month program prepares interior designers to create spaces that generate experiences, emotions, and connections between people and places. The curriculum is structured around three main areas:

  • Theoretical Framework: Lectures, seminars, and talks provide both technical skills and design culture, thanks to a faculty made up of top-tier professors and professionals from the Milan Design System. Beyond the classroom, guided visits to iconic spaces and major design events in Milan offer students direct contact with innovative environments and industry leaders.

  • Project Work: Simulated professional design experiences guided by internationally renowned professionals. Five realistic design challenges, each reflecting real-world themes, timing, organizational dynamics, design methodology, and team collaboration.

  • Internship: A three-month placement in companies or studios, allowing students to apply their design skills in a real professional setting. Career Building sessions support students in the early stages of their professional journey, offering practical tools to build a conscious and personalized career path.

Faculty

Selected from the faculty at the Politecnico di Milano and at the Scuola Politecnica di Design – SPD, teachers in the Specializing Master include university professors and researchers, designers, and professionals who specialize in the various fields.

  • Prof. Francesco Scullica – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Giulia Maria Gerosa – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Angela Pia Mazzotti – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Claudia Baldi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Amos Bianchi – Scuola Politecnica di Design
  • Prof. Armando Bruno – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Luisa Maria Virginia Collina – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Giovanni Francesco Maria Del Zanna – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Elena Mariele Elgani – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Andrea Manfredi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Arch. Cinzia Pagni – Studio Architettura e Design Cinzia Pagni e Claudia Borgonovo
  • Prof.ssa Silvia Elvira Maria Piardi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Giovanna Piccinno – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Giorgio Tartaro – Scuola Politecnica di Design
  • Prof.ssa Raffaella Trocchianesi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Alessandro Villa – Politecnico di Milano


Faculty

Francesco Scullica Scientific Director
Giulia Maria Gerosa Deputy Director
Angela Pia Mazzotti Didactic Coordinator

Gallery

Youtube Flickr

Testimonials

Stefano Giussani

Lissoni Inc. - CEO

Anna Grosso

Alumna XX Edizione

Francesca Lucente

Alumna XX Edizione

Giulia Cappelletti

Alumna XX Edizione

Valeria Gianini

Alumna XX Edizione

Didactics

Headquarters

SPD Scuola Politecnica di Design
Piazzale Lugano, 19 - Milano

Training objectives

The ultimate goal of the Specializing Master’s program is to train Interior Designers capable of creating contemporary environments—spaces that convey experiences, emotions, and meaningful connections between people and places. Achieving this means developing a specific set of skills and soft skills, including:

  • Building a strong cultural foundation by exploring topics ranging from design history to sustainability and inclusive design

  • Gaining the technical knowledge essential for interior design, including materials, lighting design, and acoustics

  • Developing practical, hands-on skills, such as user analysis, cost and time management, layout planning, supplier coordination, material and technology selection, translating brand identity into spaces, and understanding visual communication principles

  • Shaping a conscious career path by recognizing one’s own potential, building a professional portfolio, and crafting a personal branding strategy

Didactic Plan

The Specializing Master, oriented toward training professionals and career building, provides an amalgam of theory, experimental research, and design tasks. Practical skills are consolidated during topical project work that deals with producing, promoting, and planning spaces, services, and equipment. Learning takes place through a balanced mixture of general training, lectures, project work, and internship.

General Training
These units of introductory and specialist teaching provide tools and skills needed for designing.

Seminars and Lectures
At these encounters, students are brought into contact with inside witnesses to the profession: designers, enterprises, trade groups, and journalists.

Workshop
These simulations develop design skills. Topics include: producing and promoting an environment, its services, and the equipment with which it is furnished.

Internship
This training internship of about three months at design studios or companies enables students to transfer the skills acquired in class to a professional setting.

 


 

There are five design workshops and they deal with different themes: domestic, office, exhibition, hospitality hospitality and retail.

Starting with the first workshop, which acts as a hinge between the academic and professional worlds, the educational path is structured by complexity, with the aim of guiding the student to the professional world in a gradual and growing way.

The workshops are coordinated professionals belonging to internationally renowned realities, allowing students to confront not only different fields but also different design methodologies and different approaches to interior design.

Project briefs are always up-to-date and are coordinated with the theoretical teachings to allow students to immediately consolidate what they have learned during the lectures.

Didactic Modules

The Master lasts twelve months and grants 60 ECTS credits. A blend of lectures, case study analysis, hands-on exercises, and guided visits forms the basis of a learning experience that balances theory and practice. The program is structured into thematic modules that address key topics in the field, combining practical content with a strong cultural foundation. Upon completion, students enter a professional internship program.

Module 1 

Domestic Spaces – Contemporary Living Culture
Theoretical lectures, case histories, guided visits, and guest talks explore the evolution of domestic spaces in light of ongoing social, cultural, and technological changes. The module examines new housing models, emerging needs, and contemporary lifestyles. Focus areas include the relationship between space, furnishings, and services, with a user experience–oriented approach.
Objective: Gain the tools to design flexible, sustainable domestic environments that respond to today’s and tomorrow’s living needs.

Module 2 

Retail Spaces – Brand Identity in the Retail Environment
An in-depth look at the role of design in shaping the shopping experience and conveying brand identity within the physical store. Through case studies, design exercises, and workshops, students analyze display strategies, layouts, atmospheres, and customer interactions. A “Retail Safari” through Milan’s most significant retail spaces provides hands-on learning.
Objective: Learn to design retail environments that express brand values, engage customers, and reflect the dynamics of the contemporary market.

Module 3 

Hospitality Spaces – New Forms of Hospitality
Exploration of hospitality trends—from hotels to wellness centers—with a focus on comfort, place identity, and user experience quality. The module emphasizes methods and tools to design welcoming and functional spaces that combine aesthetics, ergonomics, and innovation.
Objective: Acquire skills for designing environments that promote hospitality, wellness, and sensory experience.

Module 4 

Exhibition Spaces – Designing Experiences Through Installations
A multidisciplinary approach to the languages, techniques, and strategies for designing exhibitions that engage audiences and transform space into immersive experiences. Students develop projects for exhibitions, installations, and curated pathways integrating design, communication, and technology.
Objective: Learn to design spaces that enable visual storytelling and cultural interaction.

Module 5 

Office Spaces – Workplaces as Platforms for Collaboration and Connection
An analysis of how workspaces are evolving in response to new organizational models and social/technological shifts. The focus is on designing flexible, inclusive ecosystems that promote well-being, productivity, and collaboration.
Objective: Design office spaces that combine functionality, brand identity, and innovation, fostering creativity and teamwork.

Module 6 

The Evolution of Interior Spaces and Italian Design Culture
An overview of the transformation of interior spaces through changing styles, functions, and needs — a journey through history, culture, and trends.
Objective: Design with an informed understanding of the present and future of interior design.

Module 7

Materials, Technologies, Sustainability
Case studies, experimental sessions, and guest lectures by industry professionals explore the expressive, functional, and sustainable potential of innovative interior design materials.
Objective: Acquire practical tools to select, combine, and apply materials and technologies creatively and responsibly.

Module 8

Lighting Design – Light as a Strategic (Im)material in Interior Design
Analysis of real-world scenarios, cutting-edge technologies, and practical experiments—from natural light to artificial lighting, decorative solutions to integrated systems. Focus on tools for designing environments where light becomes a fundamental design element.
Objective: Master both the expressive and technical dimensions of lighting in interior spaces.

Module 9 

Milan and Design – Places and Connections in the Milan Design System
Visits to showrooms, studios, iconic architecture, installations, fairs, events, and evolving urban spaces provide immersive exposure to the cultural and creative capital of design.
Objective: Engage with a dynamic professional, historical, and urban network.

Module 10 

Theory and Criticism of Interior Design – A Critical Approach to the Project
Through case studies, iconic projects, and cultural insights, students develop critical thinking skills that enrich their personal vision and strengthen their ability to argue design choices with depth and coherence.
Objective: Gain theoretical and critical tools to interpret interior design languages, domains, and transformations.

Module 11

Empowerment
A personal development journey focused on identity, self-esteem, and essential soft skills to succeed in the design world.
Objective: Unlock personal and professional potential; build self-awareness around skills including creative leadership, teamwork, and client relationship management.

Project Work 1

Domestic Spaces – Contemporary Living Culture
Introduction to a design-oriented approach in residential interiors, where user centrality is key. Activities include user analysis and experience design, focusing on themes like minimal living, spatial flexibility, and adaptability. Emphasis on space-furniture relations, proxemics, materials, and finishes. Collaboration with industry partners introduces procurement processes and real-world interaction between designers and manufacturers.

Project Work 2

Retail Spaces – Brand Identity in Retail Environments
Led by Studio Marco Piva, this project addresses consumer psychology and brand identity communication in retail. In collaboration with international brands, students engage in the full design process—from site visits to concept development and final presentation, involving the partner company. The aim is to design a shopping experience that communicates brand values and builds an emotional connection with customers.

Project Work 3

Hospitality Spaces – Wellness and Hotel Environments
Led by Studio Simone Micheli, this project explores the dual nature of hospitality spaces—public and private. Focus areas include lobbies, reception areas, wellness zones, food & beverage areas, guest rooms, and suites. Emphasis on functionality, comfort, and material choices. Topics include visual communication, economic management, contract design industry relations, and experimental technologies like VR and AI. The goal: create an experiential space that supports user interaction and embraces the concept of hospitality-for-all.

Project Work 4

Exhibition Spaces – Designing Immersive and Narrative Installations
Led by Studio Migliore + Servetto, this project centers on immersive, communicative exhibition design. Students are tasked with creating engaging installations that inform and captivate, using interactive technologies, visual scenography, and strategic display methods.

Project Work 5

Office Spaces – Designing for Collaboration and Connection
Led by Studio Progetto CMR, this project explores the complexities of office design, particularly in large-scale environments. Students work with real-world case studies to create layouts that reflect brand identity and support new ways of working, including smart offices and relationship-driven spaces. Sustainability and work-life balance are key themes.

Title Released

The Specializing Master grants 60 CFU, equivalent to 60 ECTS.

At the end of the course, passing the final examination, will be issued a Diploma of Specializing Master in “Interior Design” by the Politecnico di Milano.

Employment Opportunities

At the end of the Master, participants will have acquired capacities and strategic visions about project. They will be able to collaborate at an higher level with design studios as Interior Designer or Corporate Consultant, to work for real estate services, distribution, hospitality or furniture industries.

Admission

Requirements

The Specializing Master is open to students holding a Degree, Master’s Degree or University-level Diploma in Architecture, Engineering, Industrial Design. Equivalent qualifications from foreign universities will be considered for applicants from abroad.

Foreign Students

The admissions office can provide assistance with enrollment procedures, visa requests, and permits to stay in Italy. Lessons are held in Italian. Foreign students are required to acquire an intermediate level of Italian proficiency. The admissions office can provide information on schools for learning and improving knowledge of the language.

 

Deadlines

To take part in the XXIII edition of the Specializing Master in Interior Design, starting on March 9th, 2026, applications must be submitted according to the following criteria*:

Italian qualification within 17/01/2026

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

  • 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 17/01/2026 

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 23/02/2026)

  • 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 31/12/2025 

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

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 23/02/2026)

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 € 16.500.00, 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;
  • € 16.000,00 – participation fee for the University Master’s Course to be paid to POLI.design following the procedures that will be specified upon admission.

 

PROMO

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

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
Intesa San Paolo supports talents and gives everyone access to training. Discover more details here.

Faculty

Selected from the faculty at the Politecnico di Milano and at the Scuola Politecnica di Design – SPD, teachers in the Specializing Master include university professors and researchers, designers, and professionals who specialize in the various fields.

  • Prof. Francesco Scullica – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Giulia Maria Gerosa – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Angela Pia Mazzotti – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Claudia Baldi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Amos Bianchi – Scuola Politecnica di Design
  • Prof. Armando Bruno – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Luisa Maria Virginia Collina – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Giovanni Francesco Maria Del Zanna – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Elena Mariele Elgani – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Andrea Manfredi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Arch. Cinzia Pagni – Studio Architettura e Design Cinzia Pagni e Claudia Borgonovo
  • Prof.ssa Silvia Elvira Maria Piardi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof.ssa Giovanna Piccinno – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Giorgio Tartaro – Scuola Politecnica di Design
  • Prof.ssa Raffaella Trocchianesi – Politecnico di Milano
  • Prof. Alessandro Villa – Politecnico di Milano

Current edition

Faculty

Francesco Scullica Scientific Director
Giulia Maria Gerosa Deputy Director
Angela Pia Mazzotti Didactic Coordinator
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