The programme takes place over one calendar year.
Please refer to the admissions page for updated timeline and deadlines. Applications received before the deadline will be given priority in the review process. However, we will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis.
We embrace diversity in terms of skills, thinking and culture. We accept applications from people from all academic/professional backgrounds including design, art, architecture, humanities, natural and applied sciences, social sciences, business and economics.
All applicants follow the same process. So far we've had participants from 45 countries: Australia, Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal. Norway, Poland, Portugal, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, and the US.
We will advise the incoming cohort regarding the visa process as there will be a list of requirements including (but not limited to): a valid passport, a round-trip flight ticket, health insurance and proof of funds.
An interview at the relevant embassy/consulate may be required. Some documents may need to be translated into Italian and legalised.
Any associated costs for visas, travel, accommodation should be covered by the student.
People live in private accommodation. Some people choose to live alone. Others prefer to share.
As a guide, student apartments in Bergamo have 2 or 3 bedrooms and 1 or 2 bathrooms. The indicative price range is:
Double room (2 separate beds): €300-350
Single room (1 bed): €400-450
Studio apartment: €600-650
One bedroom apartment: €700-750
The areas of Bergamo near Astino are: Longuelo, Loreto, Via Broseta, up to the centre of the city.
The cost of living varies among the IDP participants depending on lifestyle choices and personal budgets.
This is one of the hot topics among incoming students and will have a dedicated slack channel in advance of the start of the programme.
Portfolios don’t necessarily need to consist of design projects but should demonstrate experience in your field and provide evidence of your previous work whatever form it takes (e.g. programming projects or visual/written work). Be sure to indicate your specific role in the works described.
If you are a designer and do not already have an online portfolio, we strongly advise you to create one. There are numerous platforms that provide software/templates you can use to create a beautiful website (e.g. Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, Webflow). If your website contains confidential material and requires a password please include this in the notes section of the online application.
If you do not come from a design background and don’t have a portfolio/URL, we ask that you submit a single PDF with evidence of your background (e.g. articles/presentations/papers/code) so we get a glimpse into the kind of work you have done.
The minimum entrance requirement is a degree or three years work experience.
You don’t need any previous experience as the Foundation classes will cover fundamental skills.
You will undertake a series of hands-on projects which range from screen-based interactions, tangible products and service design. You will explore new technologies and how good design can impact on people and the environment. Most projects are done in teams except the Final Project which is a solo experience.
We do not grade projects as you progress throughout the year. Instead, we encourage you to strengthen your communication and presentation skills and your ability to give and receive constructively critical feedback. The only time in the year you will get a grade is the Final Project which will be assessed by visiting experts in the field. Previous examiners have come from organisations such as Google, Lego, IDEO, Pangaia and the New York Times.
Individual participants will be required to pay a tuition fee of 36,500 Euro. A non-refundable deposit of 1500 Euro will secure a place on the programme (this will be deducted from the total).
The tuition fee includes teaching, materials and studio/lab access. It does not cover accommodation, visa costs, insurance, food, travel or any other personal expenses. There may be additional costs for overnight trips but these would be communicated in advance.
CIID is a private institution and therefore local and International participants/companies all pay the same fees.
There are no scholarships available.
As a policy, we are seeking the highest quality applications and financial factors do not influence the admissions process.
There are 18-24 students in each cohort and most classes are taught by a pair of visiting faculty. There is also a resident team at the studio. The studio culture has been designed so students can form close working relationships with a wide range of professionals/practitioners.
CIID graduates are highly employable and while we don’t guarantee jobs, we do have an incredible international network of alumni/faculty/organisations. Every job search is individual and we are confident that graduates will go on to successful, meaningful next chapters.
Students have gone on to work as Interaction Designers, Design Researchers, Experience Designers, UX/UI Designers, Head of Innovation, and Creative Technologists, and many other roles.
We have collaborated with a broad range of partners including: Amigos of Costa Rica, Banca Mediolanum, Barclays, Cookpad, Crusa, DSB, Electrolux, Meta Reality Labs, Google, IKEA, Intel, Lego, littleBits, Maersk, Meta, Mozilla, Nokia, Novo Nordisk, Orange, Philips, Siemens, Toyota, Velux, Volvo, X and Zozo Next.
This self-driven project provides the chance to do original work. With the help of internal and external advisors, everyone follows a framework which details the process and expectations for assessment. The projects are assessed by a panel of external experts in line with the following criteria: Research, Concept, Prototyping, Documentation and Communication.
The Italian studio is currently under construction so this might be only possible nearer the start of the programme. Please write to info@ciid.dk to ask about potential visits.
Due to the intense nature of the curriculum, there is not enough time to undertake internships while studying at CIID. The Industry Projects provide a bridge to working as a professional designer.
We strongly advise committing to the programme 100% without the responsibility of external/freelance projects and clients. Some people have tried to do this in the past and as the IDP is full-time, it has been very difficult for them to manage.
We host open lectures and some small exhibitions throughout the year. Students are incredibly motivated and self-organise skills sharing sessions on topics that may or may not be related to design. In the past they have run illustrator workshops, photography classes, yoga sessions and cooking demonstrations.
Many of the project briefs will take these important topics into consideration. You will have discussions about responsible design throughout the year. There may well also be supporting lectures which focus on design and ethics.
