Language

Italian, English

Start date

January 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

3 Years

Credits

180

The PhD is aimed at researchers who want to deal with the complexity of ongoing transitions to design positive changes and imagine more equitable, supportive and sustainable futures starting from a post disciplinary perspective, open to hybridizations between knowledge and the experimentation of new and unexpected connections.

The PhD programme aims to investigate new interpretative paradigms of Design and the Arts, and their roles, in a fluid, rapidly evolving context, through the experimentation of systemic research methodologies, based on multiple connections and hybridizations, the sublimation of linear disciplinary approaches, in favour of relational and critical, abductive and transdisciplinary readings, which look not only at applications, but also at the implications and impacts of design and creative action.

In this scenario, Design and Art stand as a transformative platform capable of enabling the interconnection between different forms of knowledge, the relationships between different forms of intelligence (human, non-human, other-than-human) and multiple application possibilities, generated by the intersection between design, art, technologies, sciences (human, social, environmental, economic), in a reference value framework based on principles of equity, inclusiveness, responsibility, sustainability and solidarity.

An open and collaborative research environment, an ecosystem in which experiment new hybrid, generative and regenerative methodologies, and apply emerging technologies consciously and responsibly, with a critical, ethical and non-conformist outlook, to go beyond conventional approaches and orient research action towards the common good, care for the planet and shared resources.

The research fields concern the following thematic areas:

  • Collective intelligence and Human - non human creativity
  • Design, Arts and the creative industries in new socio-economic circular environments
  • Cultural Heritage through digital and phygital technologies
  • Smart technologies and bio-materials: unconventional and circular application
  • Data design and information ecology: awareness and knowledge
  • Decolonization, commoning and social good in design and art practices

 

PhD Programme Committee

 

Final admission ranking for the PhD programme – Academic Year 25/26

News

Professional fashion catwalk with models parading

17 September 2026

IED fashion takes centre stage at 080 Barcelona Fashion

Acceptance Letter (by IED Barcelona lecturer Jeakyong Sim), Compte Spain and L’AMAR (brands founded respectively by IED Madrid alumni Santi Mozas and Nacho Lamar) will take to the catwalk at Spain’s most international fashion event in October.

Crowded stalls of an auditorium

15 September 2026

More than 200 students from 52 nationalities open the 2026-2027 academic year of the IED Barcelona

On 14 September, the Welcome Event welcomed a new generation of creatives and designers joining the undergraduate programmes.

14 September 2026

Chimera – Hybrid Artifacts: Design Connects Turin and São Paulo

Seven bags, two cities and one shared project. A collaboration between Italy and Brazil has evolved into an international design journey, bringing together different cultures, materials and design languages.

11 September 2026

Issue 4: Material World - Plural Intelligences

What happens when we recognize the intelligence of materials and learn to work with it responsibly, collectively, and collaboratively?

11 September 2026

IED Kunsthal Bilbao temporarily transforms Doña Casilda Park with ‘Sareak’

A cross-disciplinary project bringing together nearly 200 members of the community to reflect on contemporary communication through design.

11 September 2026

Peio Santisteban’s “Flores para un monstruo” Wins the IED Madrid Fashion Talent Award 2026

Twelve students from the Fashion Design Bachelor’s Degree at Istituto Europeo di Design Madrid presented their collections for the second consecutive year as part of the OModa Madrid Es Moda programme.

08 September 2026

IED Turin at Salone Auto Torino 2026: concept cars and creativity in action

Pagani Alisea, Tesla TIME and Italdesign Rapida take centre stage at two events celebrating automotive design, education and partnerships with leading automotive brands

07 September 2026

Fashion show and festival: the IED Public Programme is back

In September, IED's Public Program returns with a calendar of events across its campuses in Italy and Spain, offering opportunities for dialogue, exchange and discovery open to the community and the wider public.

07 September 2026

From Turin to Tokyo: IED and Pioneer Denim bring new visions of denim to the international runway

Projects by students on IED Torino’s Undergraduate Programme in Fashion Design, developed using materials supplied by the company, are heading to Tranoï Tokyo and Denim Première Vision as part of the collaboration with Pioneer Denim, bringing together research, experimentation and product culture.

Don't miss it

Exhibitions and Festival

28 April 2026 - 30 September 2026

Barcelona

“Caliu” in “Matter Matters. Designing with the World”

The project “Caliu”, by IED Barcelona alumnus Judith Aubà, has been selected to form part of this exhibition, which reflects on the major challenges facing design today and in the future at a critical time marked by the scarcity of raw materials.

12 September 2026 - 20 September 2026

Como

Accademia di Como, IED Network at Lake Como Design Festival

September 12-20

14 September 2026 - 18 September 2026

Barcelona

IED Barcelona 2026 Undergraduate Welcome Week

The welcome event for undergraduate students, teachers and staff to mark the official opening of the new academic year will take place on Monday 14 September.

Exhibitions and Festival

16 September 2026 - 07 October 2026

Genova

The horizon of desire: stories from Genoa’s Waterfronts.

Six perspectives, a city in transition. IED Turin showcases Genoa’s Porto Antico and the Levante Waterfront in a photography exhibition at Palazzo Ducale

25 September 2026 - 25 September 2026

Milan

IED officially at Milano Fashion Week - September 2026

At MUBA Museum (Rotonda di via Besana), IED Milano presents its collective fashion show.

IED on Tour

28 September 2026 - 05 October 2026

Multiple

One-to-One Meetings in Eurasia

Are you looking to study design, fashion, visual arts, communication or management in Italy or Spain?

Exhibitions and Festival

01 October 2026 - 01 October 2026

Barcelona

Brut! 2026

Three IED Barcelona alumni will take part in an event bringing together leading design schools to showcase their outstanding final degree projects at Disseny Hub Barcelona.

Exhibitions and Festival

02 October 2026 - 08 October 2026

Madrid

Sepiia’s 10th Anniversary Exhibition

IED Madrid alumni and designer Federico Sáinz de Robles celebrates the 10th anniversary of his brand, Sepiia, with an exhibition.

An open notebook showing two pencil sketches, one of a lamp and the other of designer handbags
Exhibitions and Festival

17 October 2026 - 17 October 2026

Barcelona

Barcelona Dibuixa 2026: “The Power of Hand Drawing”

IED Barcelona is offering this workshop, where participants will discover, guided by architect and lecturer Gianfranco La Cognata – Laco 2, how design takes shape through illustration.