Semester study abroad students at NABA have the opportunity to delve into design fields under the mentorship of leading industry professionals in the design capital. SAI NABA students choose 4 to 6 elective courses, earning 12 – 18 credits, from the following design-based departments: Fashion Design and Marketing, Graphic and Visual Design, Interior Design, and Product Design.
Application open until: October 15, 2024
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- Live and learn in the fashion and design capital of the world.
- Learn under the mentorship of leading industry professionals.
- Hands-on practical courses
Program Dates
January 7, 2025 – May 3, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
Cumulative GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Art & Design | Contemporary Art
Art, Design and Sustainability | Art, Design and Sustainability
Communication & Graphic Design | Visual Design
Design | Interior Design
Design | Product Design
Fashion Design, Marketing, Styling, Forecasting | Fashion Marketing
Fashion Design, Marketing, Styling, Forecasting | Trend Forecasting
Fashion | Accessories Design
Fashion | Culture
Fashion | Fashion Styling
History | History of Italian Design
The Illustration course aims to stimulate and improve the student’s graphic representation skills through progressive exercises and in-depth studies aimed at learning new methodologies and developing a personal style in drawing. The course aims to lead students to identify their own graphic style and to develop their own visual language in the field of drawing.The course aims to lead students to identify their own graphic style and to develop their own visual language in drawing through exercises and discussions in the class.
Art history as an interdisciplinary study of 20th century artistic production (visual arts, cinema, television and new technologies). The course focuses on a historical-anthropological approach with the examination of numerous materials (images and documentaries). Through the study of artists and movements, cultural trends and fashions, the teaching illustrates the transition from modernity to contemporaneity.
Course Overview
-theoretical and practical classroom lessons
-use of tutorials, videos or other in-depth multimedia material
-active involvement of students in the classroom through discussions and presentations
Cultural Anthropology is the scientific study of human cultures. It reveals the underlying changes in human ecology, institutions, and ideologies, as well as the full range of human cultural adaptations and successes. The most extensive comparative examinations of human lifestyles imaginable. In this course, students will understand the social processes and new challenges facing future societies to see the various connections between the various design and art fields.
The relationships between consumers and brands are increasingly based on symbolic, relational and emotional values consistent with the brand identity and its evolution. The “Brand Identity” creates a relationship with the consumer and therefore the perception the consumer has of a company is closely tied to the image he will have to that company, that brand. The course is dedicated to the acquisition of tools for research, analysis, strategy and visualization of brand identity, in order to transform symbolic, intangible and irrational values that a brand expresses into a project of visual communication conscious and creative, able to integrate the analytical, conceptual and technical skills in line with the new role of visual designer the professional market requires.
The course, consisting of theoretical lessons and practical exercises, aims to develop knowledge of the tools and methods of work of Indesign CS5 in relation to the demands posed by the professional world of printing and publishing.
The functions and tools of the program will be analyzed while introducing the basics of graphic design and technical issues related to it.
Through a path marked by projects, the course will pay particular attention to the use of lettering and composition in creating editorial layouts creative and effective. The comparative learning of technical and creative notions connected to graphic design will enable students to acquire an adequate knowledge of software applications to graphic design fields, publishing in particular.
The course will be developed simultaneously on a theoretical and practical basis
– InDesign basic tools
– How to use and manage the text
– How to use and manage the image
– How to use and manage colors
– How to use and manage layouts
Course DescriptionThis course provides theoretical, conceptual and practical competences that are propaedeutic to the design of communication elements within graphic design: from the scientific study of shapes and signs (basic design), to the visual identity of companies/services (corporate identity), with attention to the use of typography and to the right balance between aesthetic, strategic and technological components.Course OverviewThe course will focus on the following topics:-Introduction to the scientific study of signs and shapes: basic design-Presentation of the designing methodology aimed at creating brand identity (brand, logotype, naming, colourpalette, etc.) including the graphic and typographic elements that are necessary to the creation of a coordinatedimage.
Over the last five decades, Product Design has reached a high level of sophistication and complexity. Different design approaches and perspectives have conceptualized visions in manifestos, and this has influenced the design culture at large. The purpose of the course is to expose the students to complex design challenges, in order to develop their capacity to adapt to different design tasks and to acquire the necessary basics of cultural, conceptual, technical tools. The course is structured as an exploration of research and design experiences, which does not only provide the “how to” tools but helps each and every individual to find the reasoning behind their doing. Emphasis is placed on developing research skills, which will enable students to source relevant materials, assimilating and articulating relevant findings.
This course explores the typical tools and techniques of a contemporary experience design project, in the intersection among people, spaces, strategies, digital services, artificial intelligence and the basic idea of “information”. This is the real and virtual space based on the production and diffusion of data, their transformation, the interfaces that make them intelligible, navigable, manageable and editable, the new scenarios, the reprogramming of existing models and the implications of all that in the perception and use of the real space. Nowadays, the information society paradigm permeates culture and design: complex systems, networks, exchanges between real and virtual systems, mixed realities, new ecosystems and new concept of ecology. During the classroom activity, the course will develop a strategic project of a service or experience based in a hybrid real and digital space, from a user-centered perspective, that could also require an extension of the project in the fields of interface design and interaction design. The course will focus on the following topics:User experience, Customer experience (retail, multi-platform systems), Service design, Interface design
The course deals with the design of space for human life. The learning purpose of this course is to reach full awareness and command both of individual and group design projects, through the understanding of the methodologies as well as the tools used for analysis, development and communication of interior design projects. Course Overview This course is based on the development of projects through a dialogue between the students and the teacher, during the class. Students are asked to use their whole range of design and communicative tools, from drawing to verbal communication.
The course will focus on the following topics:
-Reading and understanding space
-Interpreting briefs and building up ideas
-Relation between form and function
-Organizing paths within a given space
-Dimensioning rooms and furniture
-Materials, colours and light: the sensorial dimension of space
The aim of the course is the development of a design consciousness through the exposure to different issues about the transformation of interior and relational spaces. The course is articulated in two projects: an individual project and a small group project. Students will have to create physical models of interior layouts, using different materials and techniques with the aim of stressing the ability to interpret and represent spaces and environments in a quick, easy and very effective way, to support concept generation and project proportion.
The discipline of Packaging Design, apparently composed for the most part from technical skills, is instead the most comprehensive design’s training where many other areas of visual design turn out to be fundamental, as a packaging project is made of editorial, graphic / compositional, multilayer and post-production skills. The course aims to help students to develop a general awareness on the matter in order to understand the meaning of “packaging design” as a design path cross on different topics and not only as the single result of the final graphic composition. Through the growth of strategic skills, techniques and compositions, that will be gradually deepened at different levels, the course aims to stimulate a design concept based on the visual and technical knowledge and on a professional approach to the discipline
Course Overview
– Meta-design analysis
– Creative Process
– Structure, Materials Production
The program aims to provide students with the basic tools to approach a project in the field of product design, through the complexity, diversity and plurality of the design strategies within the contemporary context of the global transformation of the industrial paradigm. The students will acquire a full understanding of a methodology to approach increasingly complex design issues, in very different professional contexts and market sectors.
The course is a close examination of integrated marketing strategies, processing how to communicate the value of a product or service to customers, for the purpose of selling the product or service. It will also examine promotional tools that can be employed towards marketing goods and services on an international level.Students will be led through the course by lectures, hand-outs (consisting of relevant information), class assignments, field research, and practical learning by doing. Students are expected and urged to engage in self study and preparation. In conclusion, they will have to present a final project which will connect all of the elements focused on during the semester.
Fashion is a process of creative synthesis of various stimuli, sensations and references coming from many different fields: art, product design, architecture and communication. Developing a personal innovative vision is the upstream step of designing a contemporary collection and trends research is the tool supporting a proposal that is really creative and innovative.Research is a crucial step for the design process, and without deep, rich and varied research sources, innovation cannot exist. The more in depth research is, the greater is the potential for idea generation. Cool Hunting as research methodology is a powerful tool to create a new vision of fashion able to give uniqueness to the outcome of the work.
Students will be exposed to the Italian Accessory Design field. In particular they will comprehend the meaning of evolution of contemporary luxury, Italian heritage, bespoke hand craft and modern industry. The universe of accessories (bags, shoes, small leather goods, etc.) is known as one of the most vital and interesting in contemporary fashion from the point of view of creativity. The design of these products is currently one of the most important areas in the economy tied to the worldwide fashion system. Along the course students will learn how to create a concept and develop a specific collection in order to face market requests.
The first part of the course go on upon the knowledge of Italian accessories universe. In order to gain confidence in
accessories basics, students will spend time to visit main accessories brands store, scouting products and taking
pictures of windows and people styles.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to creating the concept from which they will start to design a collection,
using professional features.
Lessons will have a theoretical part, where the teacher will explain the main models of shoes and bags and
their peculiarities, as well as the materials used in (leathers, furs and fabrics). Among the topics that will be studied there are components (such as heels, soles, etc.) and the technical construction of the shoe. The theoretical part will be followed by the practical one in which each student will design different models of shoes and bags after learning the necessary skills, following their subject of inspiration.
At the end, every student will complete their own collection creating the color-materials sheets about every accessory, using some tanneries color charts that the teacher will provide.
During the course each student works on their individual prototype. The fashion design course teaches students how to design a fashion item, including the construction of the pattern and the sewing of the garment with tailoring techniques. An overview of research practice will enable the students to learn how concepts, moods and themes are conceived and developed to provide inspiration for clothing, color and shape. This will include how to draw a garment. They will develop their creative skills through studio and workshop practice and work on the construction of the pattern and the realization of the prototype with handcraft tailoring methods.
Course Overview
1. Introduction to the course; introduction to inspiration, fashion sketches; pattern making, fabrics and
prototypes.
2. Research; inspiration mood, colors, shape and sketches of garments.
3. Selection of garment, which will be realized
4. Pattern making, sewing toile
5. Cutting of original fabric
6. (Sewing of prototype)*
*subject to time constraints and participant’s skills
coming soon
The course brings attention to the multiple disciplines that are intertwined with the meaning and significance of a dressed body. By tracing either ancient and modern themes, by analyzing the current social behavior it is possible to demonstrate how fashion is highly linked to culture, economy, political and religious ideas and to human behaviors passed down unchanged from generation to generation. In this perspective, the anthropological discipline is applied to prove that the way you dress is an aspect that deserves an attentive analysis in order to understand the current behaviors and element of primary importance to face an advanced approach to the fashion project in terms of research and development.
The course deals with the fundamentals of the fashion visual image process with a special attention to the Italian fashion brands. Starting from the city of Milan, a perfect place to get to know the entire system, from corporate image, showroom, shopping office, styling, advertising, retail design and service experience. The course develops students’ initial understanding and experience in style hunting and image styling as the basics of their approach to fashion and design with the aim of further stimulating their potential skills. From marketing and social trends: students will learn how to incorporate all the information for an innovative application of trend skills.
The aim of the course is to provide students a general knowledge of the history of Fashion and Costume. The fashion is a form of language, used to communicate who we are, to describe our society, economy, religion and many other things; it represents The Spirit of the Time. This would explain why clothes are nowadays studied by psychologists, sociologists, economists, anthropologists and art historians. The course starts from the analysis of the origins of Fashion phenomenon at the time of Italian Renaissance and its historical evolution from the French Revolution to nowadays fashion, as a form of individual or group language, as a form of communication within the society. Different fashion styles will be seen from an historical and sociological perspective. Fashion represents what we call Zeitgeistor Spirit of the Time and is always seen in the connection with culture, art, and social situations and trends. The course includes also information on nowadays Italian fashion system and the most important Italian fashion brands.
The course examines the role of the Italian contribution to the history of modern design. As a result of a long social and formal process that has its origin, more than in other circumstances, in the avant-garde movement of Futurism, design culture in Italy has always been much more than a mere, functional planning approach: thanks to the efforts and the ideas of the many actors that have taken part to its (practical and critical) definition, the word design has entered in the core of Italian creativity as one of its most powerful component. Students are introduced into this fascinating world through the analysis of several (cultural, social, artistic, industrial) aspects and a chronological comparison with the international debate and production. The course also intends to provide an overview of the history of graphic design in Italy as mirror of societys evolution.
Courses & Registration
NABA courses run Monday – Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm. Students complete their course registration during the SAI application process by selecting their primary and alternate course choices. Course schedules are confirmed 3 weeks prior to the program start. Students receive their official schedule (with days and times) at orientation.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| October 15 2024 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| October 1 2024 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| October 1 2024 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| October 15 2024 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| October 29 2024 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| November 15 2024 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| November 30 2024 |
UniversItaly Deadline UniversItaly is a system maintained by the Italian government which is designed to help students obtain their university-sponsored visas. Students are required to complete the official online forms by this date. |
| December 1 2024 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| January 7 2025 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Milan Linate Airport (LIN). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| January 8 2025 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| January 9 2025 |
NABA Academic Orientation NABA orientation includes academic policies and information, as well as opportunities for students to get to know each other and meet professors. |
| January 9 2025 |
Classes Begin |
| May 2 2025 |
Classes End |
| May 3 2025 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$18,200 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$3,300 |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Milan |
$900 | $1,800 |
| Visa Visa and Permit to Stay fees. |
$150 | $200 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$25 / course | $50 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$600 / month | $1,000 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $250 / month | $350 / month |
| Transportation within Milan area Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $250 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community for you and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Event
SAI welcomes students to Milan with lunch at a hidden gem in the historic city center of Milan.
Duomo Rooftop and Milan Walking Tour
Students admire the architecture of the spire-laden Duomo up close as they walk among the buttresses and statues and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the rooftop. Following the tour, the group discovers the fashion district including the Galleria, Montenapoleone and La Scala.
Gallery Visit to Fondazione Prada and Bar Luce
Students will visit Fondazione Prada, which offers a captivating journey through contemporary art and architecture. This cultural institution showcases innovative exhibitions, installations, and performances by both established and emerging artists. Bar Luce, a whimsical cafe designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson Bar Luce and it exudes retro charm with its pastel hues, vintage furniture, and quirky decor.
Day Trip to Turin
There’s a whiff of Paris in Turin’s elegant tree-lined boulevards and echoes of Vienna in its stately art nouveau cafes, but make no mistake – this elegant, Alp-fringed city is filled with everything that makes Italy charming. The industrious Torinese gave the world its first saleable hard chocolate and Italy’s most iconic car, the Fiat. Students will spend a day discovering this royal and industrial city.
Wine Tasting
Students will meet at a Milanese Enoteca to learn about Italian wines. A local sommelier will give students a background to each wine, which will then be paired with suitable appetizers.
Day Trip to Lake Como
Students visit the beautiful and serene Lake Como, which promises a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and culinary delights. Students will wander through narrow cobblestone alleys lined with quaint shops and will be able to visit one of the lake’s most loved lakeside villas.
Pirelli Hangar Biccoca Gallery Visit
Students experience the Pirelli Hangar Biccoca, a contemporary art space in the Biccoca district of Milan. Formerly a factory that manufactured train cars, the complex is comprised of various areas: reading room, bookshop, cafe, and three exhibition spaces which highlight the original architecture of the factory. One of these rooms is dedicated to a site-specific permanent installation by Anselm Kiefer (‘Seven Heavenly Palaces’). Built over 9 years, this is a staggering piece of work and an absolute must see.
Mindfulness and Clay Moulding
Students will experience a serene and enriching journey of mindfulness and creativity at a small local studio. Throughout the session, students will have the opportunity to pause and reflect on their experience and take home their clay creation as a tangible reminder of their time in Milan.
Farewell Event: Campari Tour & Aperitivo
Students tour the Campari headquarters and “toast” to the end of a successful term abroad.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law, students studying in Italy for 91 days or more are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Depending on the consulate, students will either mail in their student visa application or appear in person to present their application to the consulate. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in preparing for the appointment; SAI Student Visa Consulting is part of the SAI 360° Services included in the program fee. SAI Student Visa Processing Service is available for select consulates only, for an additional fee.
UniversItaly
UniversItaly is a website developed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) with the aim of supporting students throughout their study experience in Italy. The MUR has determined that all international, non-European students planning to attend an Italian academy or university must complete the pre-enrollment procedures through UniversItaly. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for completing this process will be provided by NABA.