Overview

The Master of Arts in Social Design at the NABA Milan campus explores how design can support communities and contribute to sustainable development. Taught in English, this two-year programme brings design practice together with an understanding of society, preparing students to develop projects that respond to social and environmental challenges.

Real case studies provide the starting point for work that engages communities and explores the potential of urban and natural environments. Students learn to interpret social and cultural change, using that understanding to develop design strategies grounded in the contexts where they will be applied.

The programme connects practical design skills with the knowledge needed to work on social initiatives. Its key topics include:

• Community design, supported by anthropology and sociology
• Product design and communication design
• Environmental design, alongside ecology and economy
• Event design and fundraising
• International cooperation and project management
• Co-design and public policies

This combination encourages students to consider both a project's purpose and how it can involve people. They explore how human and natural resources can support sustainable innovation, while developing the ability to anticipate changing needs and manage the complexity of social design projects.

With social design playing a growing role in companies and public administrations, the programme prepares students for professional paths including:

• Social project manager
• Communication designer
• Product designer
• Social designer
• Community designer
• Environmental designer
• Event designer
• Strategic planner
• Public policy manager
• Design consultant

The course awards a Second Level Academic Degree in Design and carries 120 CFA credits.

Accreditation

NABA’s Master of Arts programmes award Second Level Academic Degrees recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). These qualifications have full legal status and are equivalent to the corresponding university degrees. The academic credits awarded can support progression to further study at academies and universities in Italy and abroad.