NABA’s 4 week summer programs offer students a synthesis of NABA expertise in the fields of Design, Fashion, Visual & Digital Arts, and Communication under the guidance of, and collaboration with, professionals in the field. Students are immersed in Italy’s thriving creative community through visits to museums, companies, production facilities, and design studios. SAI offers two 4 week summer sessions at NABA, each with different start dates and course options: Summer I and Summer II. In both 4 week sessions, students enroll in two back-to-back 2 week courses, each worth 3 credits.
Application open until: March 15, 2025
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after closing as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- Study in one of the greatest design capitals of the world at Europe’s largest private art academy.
- Take multiple levels of a subject within a single program
Program Dates
June 26, 2025 – July 26, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Freshman (1st year) or above
Cumulative GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Communication & Graphic Design
Design
Fashion
Media Design and New Technologies
Sound Design
Visual Arts
Coming Soon
Throughout this course, students will learn how to create effective graphic vector images applicable in many different professional and design areas. Focusing on practice, through practicing with various tools, students will learn to create from simple graphs to basic shapes, icons, illustrations, and logos.
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 coordinated image.
Coming Soon
During this intensive course, students will gain knowledge of the different visual communication concepts and tools. Participants will be guided through a path marked by both lectures and practical workshops in order to learn digital skills and the methods of visual representation. At the end of the course each student will be able to find his own visual style and to develop his own personal project.
A full immersion course will provide students with an overview of the Italian Design methodology. Students will be provided with the necessary tools to analyze the elements of space and will have the opportunity to dive into intensive project works. Students will be introduced in the world of design in all its aspect and through experimentation, they will learn to recognize the various design typologies and spaces.At the end of the course, students shall be able to:- Analyze contemporary interior spaces through observation, based on personal research of Italian art and design into the city- Take personal notes through drawings, pictures, texts- Design an interior layout for a special location in the city selected on the first phase of the course and present the final results in a sort of class exhibition
Students will have the chance to analyze contemporary interior spaces and develop a designers professional attitude searching for materials, inspired by city exploration. The project-based work will be geared toward the creation of a model of interior design, using only regenerated or discarded materials. Final results will be presented in a final class exhibition.At the end of the course, students shall be able to:- Analyze contemporary interior spaces through observation based on personal research of Italian art and design into the city of Milan- Develop a professional attitude in acting an interior designer and searching for materials as source of inspiration- Develop a project with physical model of interior layout, using different materials and technique
The course will enable participants to understand the combination of aesthetics, functional and operational aspects to design successful hotels. Students will acquire the ability to solve design problems, open their imagination, find alternative solution, be inspired by space and context.Students will:- Directly experience basic Hospitality Design business practices, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively as a member of a team.- Analyze contemporary hotel typologies, the latest hotel design trends and information regarding materials, furniture, and lighting.- Gain knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, technologies, and processes.
Students will be introduced and exposed to the design process, in order to understand what lives behind the creation of a product. They will have the opportunity to dive into intensive project work geared towards creative thinking and exploring form and functionality. Students will work in small groups, in an open discussion environment, developing their creative process from the idea to the final presentation. The final project will be presented in a simulating, small exhibition, through a model and a short story in a digital format.
Students will develop a project, which consists of a coordinated product line created by using hand or digital drawing, as well as a product prototype. The project will be carried out in groups as a studio work, under the supervision of an established designer in an open-discussion setting. Specific workshops, that will focus on materials, on the history of design, and on the biography of an object, will expose students to multiple possible approaches.
Focused on the discovery of the fundamentals of luxury accessories brand collections, specifically of Made-in-Italy shoes and bags, the aim of the course is to plan a new Luxury accessory brand made in Italy. Students will learn to recognize Contemporary Luxury Accessories brands in Italy and to develop a new conscience about the Luxury Accessory field. Students will have to develop a personal collection proposal for a Luxury accessory brand.During the course, students will:- coordinate and develop a new luxury accessories brand- acquire the technical methodology to make shoes and bags- evaluate knowledge on Made in Italy accessory design
An inspiring discovery of the Italian Fashion pipeline with lectures by experienced professionals and guided visits to Milan’s best fashion areas and showrooms. Students will be given an overview of the Italian Fashion System, and they will learn to produce fashion sketches, to carry out research to be used to develop a fashion collection.
In this course students will create a capsule collection. Concepts, moods and themes will be conceived and developed to provide inspiration for clothing, color and shape. Students will experiment studio and workshop practice, and they will work on the development of a prototype with handcraft tailoring methods.
Students will be given a specific technical training in the field of fashion styling to teach them to create a new image for a body and its clothes encompassing make-up techniques, hair shapes, location, light, photography. Students will experience the excitement of producing a photo shooting in a real work environment: live models, shooting location, and in a professional studio. Personal research and observation will be used to analyze contemporary advertising. Field tools used to promote fashion products for the targeted consumer audience.
Students will be given a specific technical training in the field of fashion styling to teach them to create a new image for a body and its clothes encompassing make-up techniques, hair shapes, location, light, photography. Students will experience the excitement of producing a photo shooting in a real work environment: live models, shooting location, and in a professional studio. Personal research and observation will be used to analyze contemporary advertising. Field tools used to promote fashion products for the targeted consumer audience.
This course focuses on the fashion industry through a business and management perspective. It will provide students the necessary tools to understand the dynamic context of Italian and international fashion business. Students will be introduced to fundamentals such as fashion industry sourcing, supply chain, fashion buying cycle, vendor selection and fashion buying decision criteria, retail brand marketing in the fashion industry, internationalization of fashion retailing, international branding, and flagship stores.
The analysis of visual merchandising strategies for showrooms, concept stores, mono- brand stores, and department stores, will be the key elements of this course, along with the study and understanding of the tools used to create a strategic language for fashion brands. Students will develop a theoretical, analytical, and critical approach through guided tour visits to the most relevant concept stores in Milan. At the end of the course they will be asked to develop their own retail strategy.
Pre-requisite: This course is intended for students without any academic background in the specific subject area and for students attending their first year of university studies in Art and Design.
Learn how to create video games using Unity 3D, a free-to-use game development engine. You will have the opportunity to develop 3D gaming experiences with sophisticated storylines, interactions, aesthetics, and technical aspects. You will discover how to use the core features of the software while designing your very first game, starting with learning how to create a new project and manage your game assets. You will practice the elements of building a fully playable prototype in Unity: installation and setup, pathfinding, lighting and light mapping, artificial intelligence basics, camera animations, character animations, scripting, materials, skyboxes, particle effects, sound effects, and music.
Students will be introduced to Motion Graphics and will gain an understanding of both theory and practical components for after effects including compositing and layering; 3D effects using 2D elements and digital image manipulation.This course is designed to give beginners with a basic understanding of after effects the skills to deliver design solutions and bring their idea to life for television, websites, film or events.
Coming Soon
The course combines historical-cultural knowledge, creative research, the technical and technological process within the analysis and the design of the different musical productive sectors: DJing, Electronic Music Production, Sound Art, Sound Design and Sound Branding. The didactic and operative methodology develops synergically over different educational layers: History, Analysis, Theory, Composition, Instrument and Laboratory. The new digital technologies for audio are the instrumental palette used in order to compose and explore the techniques of manipulation, editing and mixing of sampled or electronically generated sounds.Objectives: At the conclusion of the course, participants will have acquired the necessary tools in order to be self-sufficient in audio production and will have started developing a personal musical project and will be involved in the activities of NABA WEB RADIO.
The work of the curator includes a plurality of skills and multiplicity of approaches to understand the present time, interact with the past and produce new perspectives. Alongside theoretical knowledge, the course covers a structured path to develop curatorial projects, from research and production of a concept, to organization and display. During the course, students will work on a personal or group project that will be presented in the spaces of Naba with a moment open to the public, using a variety of possible formats, from video screening to lectures, from exhibition to online publications. In addition to class lessons, the course includes visits to exhibitions and contemporary art spaces in Milan.
Students will learn to create effective, powerful images and interesting illustrations applicable to different professional areas. Alternating lectures and practical workshops, the course will show different techniques, processes and approaches.
Courses & Registration
NABA summer courses run Monday – Friday between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Students participate in two back-to-back two week sessions, taking one course per session. Students complete their course registration during the SAI application process by selecting their primary course choice for section 1 (course held during the first two weeks of the program) and section 2 (course held during the last two weeks of the program) as well as required alternate courses for each two week section. Course schedules are confirmed 3 weeks prior to the program start.
Note: This program consists of back-to-back courses; students enrolling in this program must complete the full program length.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| March 15 2025 |
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) |
| March 15 2025 |
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. |
| March 28 2025 |
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. |
| March 28 2025 |
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. |
| March 29 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| April 11 2025 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| April 27 2025 |
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 | |
|---|---|
| June 26 2025 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) or Milan Linate Airport (LIN). SAI airport pickup is provided between 10:00am and 3:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| June 27 2025 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| July 1 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. |
| July 1 2025 |
Classes Begin: Section 1 |
| July 11 2025 |
Classes End: Section 1 |
| July 15 2025 |
Classes Begin: Section 2 |
| July 25 2025 |
Classes End: Section 2 |
| July 26 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). |
$7,700 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$800 |
| 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 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$50 / course | $200 / 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 aperitivi at one of the hidden and local trendy spots in the Naviglio district.
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.
Pirelli Hangarbiccoco Gallery Visit
Join us on a visit to the Pirelli HangarBiccoca, where you will be able to view contemporary pieces in one of Milan’s most iconic art spaces. Formerly a factory that manufactured train cars, the complex houses a reading room, bookshop, cafe, and three exhibition spaces.
Lake Como Day Trip
Students take a break from the bustling city of Milan and head to nearby Lake Como, which has been a popular retreat for the wealthy since Roman times. The group takes in the beautiful scenery on a boat ride backdropped by the snow-capped Alps, and then takes the funicular for a beautiful view of the lake and Bergamo Alps.
Farewell Aperitivo
Celebrate a successful term abroad with a special aperitivo in the heart of Isola, an artistic neighborhood in Milan
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, U.S. students studying in Italy for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.