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The Department

The Department of Design is the leading Italian centre for scientific research in the field of design. Rooted in the Italian design culture, it is oriented towards exploring new disciplinary frontiers.

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A person, viewed from behind with dark hair tied back and a knotted scarf, carefully observes a large exhibition wall covered in a regular grid of material samples. The light-wood display board holds dozens of small white sheets, each featuring a different textile or organic fragment: subtle weaves, translucent amber films, porous or braided surfaces are distinguishable in shades ranging from dark brown to ochre, alongside geometric or textured patterns. Each sample is accompanied by a text label underneath, evoking the atmosphere of a textile design laboratory, a biomaterials research center, or the archive of a fashion atelier where new creative and sustainable solutions are studied and classified.

DIPARTIMENTI DI ECCELLENZA

Design for Systemic Change

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Events

MADEBACK Festival 2026

Second edition

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The Department of Design at the 2026 International Engineering Festival

Technology for Humanity

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Designing the unknown. Design as a practice of anticipation

Anticipation Conference 2026

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Designing Democratic Transitions. Milan Symposium at Politecnico di Milano

An initiative within the CoDesign4Transitions project.

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Designing for Living Together. Why PDC 2026 Speaks to the Future of Design

International Conference

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News

PoliMi Sailing Team wins SuMoth Challenge 2026

Award

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Compasso d’Oro ADI 2026

Recognising Excellence in Design and Design Culture at Politecnico di Milano

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News and events

Didactic exhibition

October 23, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Edicola Castello, via Paleocapa, Milan

Worth Reading. Indie Magazines for Social Change

Exhibition part of the programme of events of the Biennale della Grafica, that presents a selection of independent magazines designed by students of the Complex Artefacts and Systems Design Studio C1.

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MANIFESTO Edition

From October 8 to October 18, 2026, Shōsei-en Garden and Jūshin Kaikan, Kyoto

Kyōto YouMe Triennale 2026

In October 2026, Kyoto will host the first edition of the Kyōto YouMe Triennale, a new international event dedicated to dialogue between art, craft and design.

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Second edition

October 15–17, 2026, Fashion & Textile Living Lab, Building B2, B4 and B3, Bovisa Durando Campus, Milan

MADEBACK Festival 2026

Three days dedicated to circular fashion, textile experimentation and new cycles for materials.

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Design Actions for the Future

From October 14 to october 17, 2026, Auditorium San Francesco al Prato in Peruga

Seed Festival 2026

From October 14 to october 17, 2026, Perugia will host Seed Festival 2026, dedicated to the transformations of the concept of humanity and new ways of inhabiting the future.

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Seminar

From February 25 to April 22, 2026, from 11:15 am to 1:15 pm, Online and B2.2.8, Building B2, Bovisa Durando Campus, Milan

Design Pills

As part of the seminar, Professor Alba Cappellieri engages in dialogue with distinguished guests on the themes of creativity, innovation, and branding.

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Dear Designer

October 2, 2026, 11:00 am, Aula De Carli, Bovisa Durando Campus, Milan

Ask Designers anything. They'll probably answer!

The Campus will host “Dear Designer,” the first event in a new format dedicated to exploring the frontiers of contemporary design.

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Milano Digital Week

October 1, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Building 16C, Room 03, Leonardo Campus, Via Bonardi 9, Milan

La città generativa. Per un’IA al servizio della comunità

The aim of the event is to discuss a Civic AI model in which technology serves people and the public interest: open, transparent, subject to democratic oversight, and capable of strengthening participation.

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Answers from 16- to 34-year-olds: Gen Z and Millennials

September 11, 2026, 10:00 am, Triennale Milano – Teatro dell’Arte

Il tempo delle donne. Ask Yourself What You Would Do If You Weren’t Afraid

As part of Il Tempo delle Donne, the Interuniversity Research Centre on Gender Cultures with the Politecnico di Milano will take part in the opening event dedicated to the theme of fear among younger generations.

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Virtual and in-person summit

September 10, 2026, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Brussels, Belgium

OPENVERSE Summit 2026. Open and co-created Virtual Worlds for Europe

European policy and ecosystem event dedicated to building open, interoperable, and human-centric Virtual Worlds.

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Edited by Giuliana Costa and Tommaso Frangioni

Published by LetteraVentidue

Si affitta a fuorisede. Mercati, pratiche e relazioni

The book explores a pressing issue facing contemporary university cities, access to housing for students living away from home.

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Design Competence Center

Design Lab System

DCC Immagine

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A professional television set features a man with glasses in a dark jacket, positioned in front of a bright blue backdrop inside a recording studio. The environment is equipped with LED light panels mounted on stands and reflectors strategically placed to illuminate the subject, while in the foreground, the dark silhouettes of the crew and a camera mounted on a tripod framing the scene are visible. On the left, a heavy dark curtain blocks out external light, while on the right, next to the set, a chair and technical equipment can be seen, highlighting the complex preparation behind a video production.

Design Lab System

DCC Moda

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A small wooden and black fabric dress form dominates the foreground, with a piece of dark cloth elegantly draped over its shoulders. In the blurred background, several students are focused on manual work around large wooden tables in a bright fashion laboratory. The workspace is dotted with tools of the trade, including white paper patterns, rollers, and blue folders, creating an atmosphere of intense creative activity and craftsmanship.

Design Lab System

DCC Prototipi e Allestimenti

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A specialized operator, wearing a blue apron with the words "STAFF DESIGN X DESIGNER," is focused on using a precision drill press inside a mechanical workshop. The man, protected by safety glasses and work gloves, fixes his gaze on the piece of wood he is drilling, while a small group of students closely observes the technical demonstration. The setting is spacious and well-lit by rows of LED lights on the industrial ceiling, with shelving and woodworking materials visible in the background, giving the space a laboratory and educational feel.

Design Lab System

DCC Pilot

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