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IDSS 2025, the 17h Edition
Italian Design Summer School: Art, Society and Industry
The school is proposed by:
Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), University of Bologna
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and partner Universities:
Yuan Ze University, Taipei, Taiwan
Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, Art Design Faculty, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, Hamamatsu, Japan
Tongji University, College of Design and Innovation, Shangai, China
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
University of Dayton, School of Engineering, Dayton, Ohio, USA
University of Kentucky, School of Engineering, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran
The ITALIAN DESIGN SUMMER SCHOOL (IDSS) offers a unique opportunity to experience the Italian atmosphere and understand
how the Italian culture and tradition of “Disegno” has led generations of Italian designers. The inspiration from these unique environment has
brought the creation of innovative and beautiful objects that are internationally successful. The integration of the two approaches, industrial and craft,
makes Made in Italy products unique and implies extreme attention to detail that contributes to their excellence.
Italian design became famous worldwide for its unique balance between aesthetics and functionality, expressed through many industrial products, such as
furniture, cars, motorbikes and household devices. Italian designers take their inspiration from a special artistic atmosphere existing in Italy, whose
roots could be found in Giotto's painting and Michelangelo's sculpture, just to mention two of the most known Italian artists of the past.
The course is addressed to students and professionals interested in industrial product design.
The reference professional profile is an expert dealing with the development of industrial products as well as with
the engineering design process, operating from the concept design phase to the executive project and prototype building, taking care of aesthetic and
functional aspects within precise technological, environmental, societal and economical boundaries. He/She is an essential figure requested by firms
in several industrial fields, from furniture to automotive, household appliances to gymnastic equipment, medical instruments, tools and generally any
serial product interacting with human beings.
Hand-crafted and limited series productions will be taken into account during the course, as they are strictly tied to most of the distinctive
features which make Made in Italy unique. Hence, differences between industrial and craft productions will be shown, highlighting the main values of each.
The IDSS starts on Friday, 22/08/2025 and ends on Sunday, 07/09/2025.
Friday, 22/08/2025.
Students are suggested to check-in on Friday August 22 2025 late morning.
The introduction to the programme will be held on Friday afternoon.
A welcome dinner will be offered at the residence in Bologna.
Activities will go on Saturday, August 23 2025!
Lessons of experts in the different disciplines connected to industrial product design and seminars of professional designers will be given.
A number of visits to firms and institutions representatives of Made in Italy and to artistic, cultural and historical sites will be organized
as an important part of the didactics of the course.
Particular emphasis will be given to typical industrial productions of Emilia–Romagna region, so firms such as Lamborghini (cars) and
Ducati (motorbikes) will be visited.
The artistic peculiarity of Bologna will also be illustrated, through visits to the historical centre of Bologna, the Pinacoteca Nazionale of Bologna and the MAMBO (Museum of Modern Art of Bologna) Museum.
In order to immediately apply the contents of the course, a significant number of hours will be dedicated to project works during which students will develop
an industrial product in collaboration with local manufacturing enterprises.
Tutoring will help students to expand and reinforce their skills and competencies.
Students are kindly invited to bring their laptops.
Saturday 06/09/2025.
The final exam will take place in the Fresco Room of the CEUB Medioeval Castle on Saturday, 6 September 2025.
Students will present in groups their project work to the Exam Commission.
It is compulsory to attend the activities and to pass the final exam to receive the certification of completion.
The ceremony of the certificate delivery to students will follow the final exam in the late afternoon.
Sunday 07/09/2025.
Students will check-out in the early morning on Sunday, 7 September 2025.
A private bus will transfer the students from to Bertinoro to Bologna. Students will arrive in Bologna in the late morning.
All the classes will be held in English.
A good knowledge of the English language is required.
Administration and logistics: CeUB, University
Residential Centre of Bertinoro
