Raffles Milan - International design institute
Three year course in Product Design
Milan, Italy
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English, Italian
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Nov 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 22,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Early Bird Discounts available
** EU: enrollment €2,500 + tuition €19,500 | non-EU: enrollment €4,000 + tuition €18,000
Key Summary
About: The three-year Product Design course at Raffles Milano, the European hub of the largest independent design education network, blends creativity, technology, and research. Students work with faculty on hybrid experimental projects that challenge norms and transcend cultural, technological, and geographical boundaries. The programme emphasizes design thinking, prototyping, materials, human-centered design, and sustainability. Course leader: Carlo Forcolini.
Career Outcomes: Graduates understand usability, emotional appeal, material selection, and environmental responsibility and gain practical skills in product development, design research, and fabrication. Career opportunities include product designer, industrial designer, UX/interaction designer, design researcher, design consultant, prototyping specialist, sustainable design consultant, and design strategist.
Design represents the fusion of creativity, technology, and human vision. It transforms ideas into tangible solutions and trains people to create value for the world around them. Throughout history, design has served as one of the most powerful drivers of social, cultural, and aesthetic progress, shaping the way we live, think, and communicate.
The Three-Year Course in Product Design at Raffles Milan provides students with a solid foundation in design methodology, combining conceptual development with practical application. Students learn to balance imagination and functionality — developing innovative projects that respond to real-world needs while shaping the future of design.
Title Awarded
Upon successful completion of the accredited programme, students are awarded a First Level Academic Diploma pursuant to Ministerial Decree No. 1216 of 31 August 2023, a qualification officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) within the AFAM system.
Course Leader: Carlo Forcolini
Carlo Forcolini is one of Italy’s most distinguished designers and educators. A graduate of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, he began his career working for ICF De Padova while collaborating with the legendary Vico Magistretti.
From 1978 to 1984, he lived in London, where he co-founded Alias and served as Director of Artemide G.B.. Over the decades, Forcolini has designed for many prestigious brands, including Alias, Artemide, Cassina, De Padova, BBB Bonacina, Gervasoni, Luceplan, Pomellato, and Zumtobel.
He also founded Nemo, Forcolini Lab, and Oylight, and served as National President of ADI (Association for Industrial Design) from 2001 to 2007. In 2020, he received the Compasso d’Oro for Lifetime Achievement, one of the most prestigious awards in international design.
His work is featured in major institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt Museum (New York), the Museum of Decorative Arts (Paris), and the Triennale Design Museum (Milan). His career embodies the intersection of innovation, art, and craftsmanship that defines Italian design excellence.
Professional Opportunities
Upon graduation, students will possess the skills to enter the global design industry as professionals capable of working across various sectors or as freelancers.
Potential roles include:Product Designer, Concept Designer, Service Designer, Social Designer, and Design Manager.
Raffles Milan’s educational approach provides graduates with the flexibility and cultural awareness to work both locally and internationally, equipping them to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing creative economy.
The program follows a progressive three-year structure, guiding students from foundational skills to advanced project development and professional application.
- First Year:
Students learn the fundamentals of design thinking — exploring human perception, material properties, visual communication, and the history and theory of design. - Second Year:
The focus shifts toward applied learning through design laboratories, interdisciplinary workshops, and company site visits, providing exposure to real-world challenges and professional collaboration. - Third Year:
Students explore emerging trends and design futures, analyzing how innovation reshapes products, services, and cities.
The final semester culminates in a thesis project developed in partnership with industry professionals, integrating all creative and technical skills acquired throughout the course.
Application Period Closed: Limited reassigned scholarships now available. Contact your advisor for details.
Apply for the 2026 “Show Your Talent” International Scholarships
Three-year and Master courses in Design
Raffles Milano opens the 2026 edition of the “Show Your Talent” international scholarships, created to support talented students pursuing three-year and master courses in Fashion Design, Visual Design, Product Design, Interior Design, and other creative disciplines.
As every year, the campaign will be supported by partner brands from the fashion, design, and creative industries.
Scholarships Available by Program:
- 6 scholarships: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design and Specialization in Fashion Communication & Marketing
- 3 scholarships: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Specialization in Jewellery and Accessory Design – By Senco
- 6 scholarships: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Three-year course in Interior Design – By Cupra
- 3 scholarships: Bachelor’s degree in Visual Design – Follow Your Passion
- 3 scholarships: Specialization in Communication Design – Ginnico
- 4 scholarships: Master in Fashion Design and Sustainability – Deborah Milano
- 4 scholarships: Master in Fashion Photography – OVS
- 4 scholarships: Master in Branding for Luxury and Design – Landor
- 4 scholarships: Master in Product and Interior Design – Meta
- 4 scholarships: Master in Visual Design and Communication – Lime
A Scholarship for the Designers of Tomorrow
The “Show Your Talent” initiative rewards candidates who demonstrate exceptional creativity, originality, and a strong passion for design. Winning candidates will receive scholarships covering 50% or 30% of tuition fees and join the Raffles Milano community as future creative leaders.
Discover last year’s edition here:
Design plays a crucial role in shaping the identity, quality, and sustainability of every product or service.Graduates of this course will understand how design impacts usability, emotional appeal, material selection, and environmental responsibility.
At the end of the program, students will be able to pursue professional roles in industrial, service, and creative sectors — anywhere innovation meets functionality.
Career opportunities span across product development, user experience, service design, industrial design, and creative direction, preparing graduates to work with companies that prioritize quality and innovation.
This program is designed for candidates who hold a secondary school diploma and aspire to transform their creativity into practical design skills.
Ideal students are curious, driven, and eager to explore the intersection of aesthetics, technology, and problem-solving.
Throughout the program, participants acquire research tools, methodologies, and creative processes essential to navigating the complexity of modern design.
Because design is inherently interdisciplinary, students also learn to collaborate with professionals from diverse fields — managing every step of the design process, from concept development to product commercialization.
Reasons to study at Raffles Milano include:
- Study as part of the largest independent design education network in the world, with the European hub based in Milan
- Take part in the 72-Hour Non-Stop Workshop, where for three full days students from every programme collaborate on real projects assigned by major brands.
- Be at the centre of Milan Design Week and Fashion Week through student-led projects, internships, exhibitions and brand collaborations
- Learn from acclaimed industry professionals working across fashion, design, branding and communication
- Join a school with a 96% graduate employment rate within one year of finishing your studies
- Access a dedicated personal-branding pathway, including coaching, company interactions, Portfolio Night and Career Service support
- Study a curriculum where sustainability is integrated across every course
- Be part of a genuinely international, cross-cultural student community
- Experience Milan's creative energy as a working part of your education, not just a backdrop