Academy of Desing

The quality and leadership of professors of the Academy of Design has provided me with the opportunity to advance my career in interior design while still being a good wife and mother. The one month intensive programme opened new ways in my profession of interior designer and I started to see new opportunities of design for commercial spaces. I was much impressed by the standing of the professors and the experience and quality of the teaching methods, very concrete and adapted to the needs of the participants. I got important contacts with the researchers and experts in lighting design and soft qualities in order to improve the service offered by my design studio in this field.

It is extremely satisfying to be able to do something that has a real-life impact on professional learning. The Certificate Programme in Brand design provided me with an opportunity to conduct an action project in my own company. Because the findings of my project were positive, the programme became a case that the academy introduces in a seminar in Paris. The faculty did a great job in tailoring the presentation to the needs of the group and I felt my needs were met. I would like to return to this event in the future as I experienced direct actionable and measurable benefits from the programme.

I chose Aod not only for the great reputation of the professors, but also for its renowned tailor-made courses in design. For me, the longer I stay in Italy, the better I get to know the advanced system of design, so I chose to attend two executive programmes in business design and product design, both in 2009. The first course was delivered in Milan, in the fantastic centre of the Academy in front of the Santa Maria dele Grazie church with paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci and Bramante. I work in the Skl Gmbh, a company that produces equipment for work places and I believe that I must invest in my competences to develop new trends of the company, innovate the quality of the product and the processes. I have heard from a friend of mine of the concreteness of the courses provided by the Academy and I asked for the admission. The second course in product design was delivered in a very unique school area established by a group of Italian companies, we joined the theory with presentations of concrete cases and practice. The best I expected.

I had considered taking classes in design before, but was perplexed with how to fit it in with my busy work and family life. When this program was offered, it was an answer to a prayer. However, it was not until later that I realized how much I would value the flexibility of week end classes. Despite being in different parts of the country, I was able to manage the course because of the flexibility of weekend education. If I were taking traditional classes, these trips would have been almost impossible for me. Besides the flexibility, I feel that I am getting an incredible education and excellent preparation in interior design. I do not miss having a traditional classroom setting. We have class interaction through the discussion boards which can be very interesting at times. I am extremely happy with the program at Aod and grateful that I have the opportunity to be a part of this experience.

One year ago I came to the Academy of Design, Italy, to pursue my studies in the design field, as a student at the Product and Service Master Degree I had advanced theory and technology in this field and a good reputation. The education here is comprehensive, effective and practice-oriented. The lectures provided cover a wide range of topics: language of materials, expression of creation, designing services, interaction design, relational space, prototyping, etc. Worthwhile practical sessions, workshops and case studies using the theory learned from the lectures help us to digest the theory and to develop our capability to analyse, solve problems, use software and models and develop results in terms of design. There are plenty of opportunities to do an internship in an Italian company. I was very lucky to have a chance to work for my internship at the Brianza design district.

During my education in Product and Service Design to obtain the Master Degree level, I learned a lot about studying and explaining the behaviour of individuals and how to create business communication projects. In particular, I appreciated the opportunities to combine academic knowledge with practical work experience.I developed a project work with a very qualified team at the Academy of Design. A second opportunity was my thesis in cooperation with Prof. Renzo Costa at the Modena ceramic district, one of the world’s leading system of companies in design. I looked into the feasibility of a new line of resin and ceramic products for the private homes market. Currently I am working at RC Studio in Rome, where I hope to be able to use the knowledge I have gained over the last few years, and to keep on learning!

I am interior designer from Izevsk. I attended my first course at the Academy of Design in 2008, I was so impressed by prof. Andrea Branzi and by other professors and the visits to the studios and companies, that I have decided to repeat this experience in 2009, the most interesting programme I have ever attended – a workshop connected to the Milan World fair in April 2009. We studied the new trends at the fair and the most innovative sites of the Fuori Salone in Tortona and around, then we put all this information in very unique workshops. I was really moved and astonished by the fantastic experience and I got new ideas toward the project and toward my carrier as a designer. I have to thank the Academy of Design and its experts if I have matured the idea to start developing projects in product design, a new area of my profession. I returner the third time to the Academy to attend a workshop in which I improved my qualities and I developed a line of products for children.I am so glad that during a difficult year for design I found new energies and forces to enjoy my profession and to develop my career. I am now cooperating with Russian companies in producing new furniture products.

I completed the executive programme in business design and I chose to return to attend a two month internship with the help of the Academy of Design. I spent last two months in the north area of Vicenza where are located some of the most innovative companies that produce products for Hotels, Resorts, Commercial areas and big Homes. I took part in the strategic decision processes assisting by boss, Mr Alfredo Orlandini, in defining a competitive approach to the design. I took part in a research project in developing articles for the interiors that change over time as a fashion product; the project particularly considered the study of the details. I am much satisfied of such a unique opportunity, I feel the way of design as a way for companies to become more competitive is very important and I have learned, in concrete, how it can be done. I wish to return to the Academy next year to take part to the second research programme.