IED – Istituto Europeo di Design Florence
Contemporary Photography and Visual Culture Summer Course
Florence, Italy
Summer Course
DURATION
3 weeks
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
30 Jun 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,600 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* total fee UE and extra UE | enrolment fee: €600 | fee and extra UE: €2000
You will enhance your expertise and confidence in the many aspects of photography and visual design. With a deep understanding of photographic techniques, lighting, postproduction, and design principles, you will learn to create compelling visual narratives that engage with contemporary contexts. You will also gain valuable insights into conceptual photography, visual storytelling, and the integration of photography with graphic design.
During this immersive course, you will explore Renaissance masterpieces and Florence's rich artistic heritage as a source of inspiration to develop a complete photo-graphic project. This project will culminate in the creation of a visually striking poster that synthesizes your creative journey while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary artistic vision.
Who is it for?
The course is designed for students with foundational knowledge or basic professional experience in the field who are looking to enhance their professional skills. Participants should have prior familiarity with photography, graphic design, and editing.
Methodology and structure
Through an in-depth exploration of photographic and design principles, this three-week course equips you with the skills to develop professional photographic projects enriched with conceptual depth and artistic vision. You will also gain valuable insights into areas such as visual storytelling, postproduction, graphic design integration, and the creation of cohesive visual narratives.
To build a comprehensive knowledge base, the program combines lectures, case studies, workshops, and guided site visits to Florence’s museums and artistic landmarks. These visits are integral to the learning experience, providing inspiration and contextual understanding to complement classroom activities.
Drawing inspiration from Renaissance masterpieces and Florence’s cultural heritage, you will create a complete photographic project. This project includes developing a visual concept that synthesises key elements such as photographic composition, graphic design, and narrative cohesion. During the final presentation, projects will be reviewed individually or in groups, emphasising both technical execution and conceptual depth.
Lessons are held Monday through Friday on a full-time basis (morning and afternoon), with a total duration of 75 hours spread over 3 weeks.