Product and Innovation Design (Specialisation)
NABA Rome Campus, Italy
Bachelor of Arts in Design – Product and Innovation Design (Specialisation)
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA)
Product and Innovation Design
Program Overview: Product and Innovation Design at NABA
The Product and Innovation Design specialisation within NABA's Bachelor of Arts in Design is offered at the Rome campus and investigates design solutions that explore interactions between individuals and space, examining the concepts, forms, functions, and communicative components of products. Rooted in the legacy of Italian and Milanese design tradition, the program prepares you to navigate contemporary design scenarios with confidence and creativity.
Through a progressive refinement of technical skills and growth in cultural and aesthetic understanding, you will develop a professional design profile consistent with international design history while embracing emerging themes such as Social and Service Design, Self-production, and Digital Fabrication. The curriculum follows a learning-by-doing approach, combining theoretical foundations with intensive practical workshops and real-world company collaborations.
NABA is Italy's largest private academy of fine arts and the first to be recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) in 1981. With campuses in Milan and Rome, the academy offers an internationally oriented education that immerses students in Italy's vibrant creative community through visits to museums, companies, production facilities, and design studios.
Key Program Highlights
- Specialised focus on product design, innovation, digital fabrication, and service design within the Italian design tradition
- Project-based learning with real company briefs and collaborations with leading Italian and international design firms
- Access to over 70 Erasmus+ cooperation agreements with academies and universities across Europe and beyond
- Degree legally recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), equivalent to a first-level university degree
Curriculum and Modules
The three-year curriculum is structured to progressively build your design competencies, starting with foundational concepts and techniques before advancing into specialised product and innovation design topics. The program balances theoretical studies in design history and culture with hands-on workshops, digital tools training, and collaborative project work that simulates professional design studio dynamics.
Product Design
Core ModuleExplores the complex product system including concept, form, function, and communication. Students develop problem-setting and problem-solving approaches through practical design workshops and studio projects.
Design Methodology and Project Planning
Core ModuleIntroduces structured design methodologies from initial concept through to manufacturing and market release. Students learn to understand specific contexts of use and translate analytical elements into typological and formal solutions.
Interactive Objects and Digital Fabrication
Core ModuleFocuses on the design and manufacture of interactive objects using open hardware such as Arduino and various digital interfaces. Students explore interaction as a structured process involving complex, rhizomatic relations between action and reaction.
3D Modelling and Representation Techniques
Core ModuleDevelops technical proficiency in industry-standard tools for the representation of spaces and products, including 3D modelling, rendering, and advanced drawing techniques essential for professional design practice.
History of Art and Design Culture
Core ModuleProvides a deeper understanding of design culture, including the social aspects of projects, sustainability, and the historical evolution of international design with particular focus on the Italian and Milanese design legacy.
Final Project (Thesis)
Core ModuleThe culminating experience of the three-year program, consisting of a written analytical component on a complex topic agreed upon with a supervising lecturer, paired with a design project that reflects the complexity of ideas expressed in the written part.
Elective Modules and Specialisation Options
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Design with the Product and Innovation Design specialisation depends on fulfilling minimum educational and language requirements and passing an admissions test. NABA evaluates your level of commitment, determination, and creative potential through a distance-based assessment. Contact Uni4Edu for personalised guidance through the entire application process.
Academic Requirements
- Educational QualificationItalian secondary school diploma (maturita) or equivalent international high school diploma (minimum 12 years of schooling)
- Admission TestDistance evaluation including an artistic statement, project assignment, and/or portfolio of creative works
- PortfolioDesign-related works demonstrating aesthetic awareness, composition, drawing, colour perception, spatial perception, and originality
- MotivationStrong motivation letter demonstrating enthusiasm and passion for the design field and the chosen specialisation
- Document LegalisationNon-Italian diplomas must be legalised by the Italian embassy in the country where the diploma was issued
Language Requirements
- English (for English-taught programmes)IELTS 5.0 or equivalent (Cambridge, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo); certificate must not be older than 2 years
- Italian (for Italian-taught programmes)B1 level (CEFR) via CILS, CELI, CERT.IT, or PLIDA; certificate must not be older than 2 years
- ExemptionStudents who obtained their high school diploma in English-taught programmes may be exempt, subject to verification by the Admission Office
Required Documents
Application Deadlines
For personalized admission guidance, document verification, and application support, please contact Uni4Edu
Scholarships and Funding
NABA offers a range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support talented international students. Scholarship competitions are portfolio-based and aim to select candidates with outstanding creative profiles. Contact Uni4Edu for guidance on available funding and application support.
NABA's Got Talent Scholarship
Partial tuition fee reduction (up to EUR 7,000 for non-EU students)A merit-based scholarship for international students applying to a BA programme, awarded through evaluation of the candidate's portfolio and motivation letter. Available for the first academic year at the Milan or Rome campus.
NABA Financial Aid
Variable partial tuition fee reduction based on income bracketNeed-based financial aid for deserving students with financial constraints. Evaluated based on academic merit combined with the student's documented financial situation. Requests are reviewed monthly by the Financial Aid Board.
Diritto allo Studio (Regional Scholarship)
Variable (based on merit and financial requirements)Annual scholarship competition based on both financial need and merit requirements, in accordance with Italian regional law. Available to eligible students enrolled in accredited NABA programmes.
For detailed tuition fee information, please contact Uni4Edu — we will guide you through the costs and available funding options for this program.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the Product and Innovation Design specialisation are prepared to enter the competitive and dynamic context of 21st-century design. NABA's strong relationships with leading companies provide internship opportunities during your studies, and the academy's Career Service connects graduates with professional opportunities across Italy and internationally.
Potential Career Roles
Companies Offering Internships to NABA Students
Rankings and Recognition
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) is consistently recognised as the leading Italian academy of fine arts in international rankings. The academy has earned distinction from prestigious ranking bodies and design publications for its excellence in art and design education, reinforcing its position as a benchmark for artistic and cultural innovation at the international level.
| Subject | Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Art and Design | QS World University Rankings by Subject | #41 (Top 50 globally, Best Italian Academy) |
| Art and Design | QS World University Rankings by Subject | #51 (2024 edition) |
| Design and Architecture | Domus Magazine | Top 100 in Europe |
| Graduate Design Education | Frame Masterclass Guide | Top 30 Worldwide |
How to Apply
Applying for this program is easy with Uni4Edu. Our team will guide you through every step of the process — from document preparation to final enrolment.
Contact Uni4Edu
Reach out to our team via email or phone. We will assess your profile and confirm your eligibility for this program.
Prepare Your Documents
Our advisors will provide you with a personalised checklist of required documents and help you prepare your application package.
Submit Your Application
Uni4Edu will submit your application on your behalf and keep you updated on its progress throughout the review period.
Receive Your Offer
Once accepted, we will help you understand your offer, arrange visa support if needed, and guide you through the enrolment process.
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