Design Competence Center​

The Department's Design Competence Center is one of the leading international hubs for technological infrastructures dedicated to design, supporting research, education, and technology transfer. Continuously expanding and evolving, it brings together expertise, technologies, and advanced services to foster research, design, experimentation, and prototyping. It operates as a dynamic ecosystem, constantly evolving to address the challenges of innovation and the needs of industry.

The Design Competence Center, organized into the DCC Moda, DCC Prototipi e Allestimenti, DCC Immagine, and DCC Pilot, is an interdisciplinary facility designed to integrate expertise, tools, and technologies in support of design, experimentation, and prototype development across the various fields of design. It fosters collaborative learning and knowledge sharing among students, faculty, researchers, and external partners, providing a highly qualified environment for the development of interdisciplinary projects.

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.

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.

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.

DCC Pilot

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Access to the Design Competence Centre

Access to the Design Competence Center laboratories is subject to the successful completion of the Specific Safety Training Course.

For newly enrolled students, the training programme consists of three parts:

  • Design Laboratories Training - Part 1 - Online Video Conference (VCS): an online course covering safe working practices in the DCC Immagine, DCC Moda, DCC Pilot e DCC Prototipi e Allestimenti laboratories. The course is available by reservation through the personal page on the Politecnico di Milano website, following the path: Online Services > Design Competence Center.
  • Design Laboratories Training - Part 2 - On Campus (FSP):
    A practical, hands-on course on safe working practices within the Design Competence Center laboratories and the use of their technologies. The course is available by reservation through the personal page on the Politecnico di Milano website, following the path: Online Services > Design Competence Center. A minimum attendance of 80% of Part 1 - VCS is required
  • Design Laboratories Training - Part 3 - Final Assessment (in person)
    A final assessment consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in person at the end of Part 2 using a personal device (laptop, tablet, or smartphone) and by logging in with your Politecnico di Milano credentials. Access requirements include full attendance (100%) of Part 2 - FSP. The assessment is passed with a minimum score of 70% of correct answers.

Those who have already completed a previous version of the training may continue to access the laboratories for which they are already qualified. An additional training session will be required to access the DCC Pilot laboratory.

Further information and details about the training programme will be provided by email to the students concerned.

For questions or further information, please contact: accessolabb-design@polimi.it

Specific training

After completing the Specific Safety Training Course (Parts 1, 2 and the Final test), users may access the open areas of the Design Competence Center.

To use laboratories and more complex technologies, users must complete Level 2 Training, which is required to access and use the advanced areas of the Design Competence Center.

Level 2 Training provides the skills required to work safely through practical and specialised instruction. Access to the advanced areas is restricted to authorised users, subject to booking and under the supervision of technical staff, depending on the scheduling of teaching activities.

Available Level 2 Training courses:

  • Advanced Knitwear, providing access to the Knitwear 1 and Knitwear 2 areas.
  • Advanced Tailoring, providing access to the Tailoring 1, Tailoring 2 and Tailoring 3 areas.
  • Advanced Manufacturing, providing access to the Metal Manufacturing, Wood Manufacturing and Plastic Manufacturing areas.
  • Advanced Digital Prototyping 3D Printing, Advanced Digital Prototyping Laser Cutting and Advanced Digital Prototyping Blade Cutting, providing access to the relevant areas within the Digital Prototyping space.

Individual training courses can be booked through the user’s personal page on the Politecnico di Milano website, , following the path: Online Services > Design Competence Center.

Access to Level 2 Training in the different areas is subject to completion of Level 1 – Open Training.

To access the Advanced Knitwear course, applicants must also meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • be currently enrolled in or have previously attended the Final Synthesis Design Studio – Knitwear Design and/or the Digital Modelling for Knitwear course;
  • have previous knowledge of the subject, to be assessed by staff during an interview.

Design Competence Center spaces