Specializing Master in Design for Food

Rethink the Food System. Become a Food Design Specialist
A multidisciplinary program developed in collaboration with the University of Parma, offering the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to address today's complex food systems and develop sustainable solutions. Through the Specializing Master in Design for Food, you explore design, gastronomy, humanistic sciences, engineering, food technology and business. You gain a systemic perspective and learn to design across scales, from products to services.

Through lectures, workshops, study tours and a final internship, you'll explore the food system from design, cultural, technological and social perspectives. Strategic thinking, focus on innovation, and sustainability will become part of your professional mindset. You'll take part in design projects that connect creativity with food technology, discovering how circular economy principles drive meaningful change. By collaborating with companies, professionals and international experts, you'll gain hands-on experience and build a global network, preparing you to contribute to the food system's transformation.

All you need to know about the program 

Learning modules
The Design for Food program combines theoretical lessons with practical exercises, design workshops, and hands-on activities that are the very core of the program. The path also includes an internship or a project work, deepening your skills through real or simulated professional experiences.

Food Science and Technology
You'll analyze and understand the main aspects, processes, and challenges related to food production and processing. Key topics: food and ecology, food and taste sciences, food safety, sensory analysis, and food technology for high-quality food, principles and processes of food fermentation.

Humanities and Food Studies
You'll examine the complexity of the contemporary food system to develop skills in communication and entrepreneurial strategies. Key topics: semiotics of food, circularity and sustainability strategies, advanced food and trade law, and novel food entrepreneurship.

Design
You'll explore how design – across its various forms and through specific tools – enables a strategic approach to the contemporary food system. Key topics: food packaging design, food service design, food product design, food branding and storytelling, systemic design for the circular economy, design for social innovation and sustainability, retail design and creative event processes, food innovation future practices, and food design experiences.

Design Workshop
Through hands-on project experiences, you'll learn to develop new products and services based on real needs identified by collaborating companies and external partners. Workshop topic: product-service innovation.

Food Processes
You'll explore the fundamentals of key processes and management systems in the contemporary Food System. Key topics: systems, technologies, and logistics for the food industry, food business innovation, and sustainability challenges.

Study Tour | URBAN FOOD EXPLORATION
You'll deepen your learning through direct, real-world experiences: tastings, company and production facility visits, and meetings with experts in the Italian food sector. Field experiences in some of Italy's most important food districts.

Empowerment Area
You'll develop essential soft skills for personal and professional growth. This module is complemented by the ‘Talent Placement' program, which guides you in identifying and securing apprenticeships or developing professional projects.

Requirements
The Specializing Master welcomes candidates with a Degree or Specialist/Master's Degree in Design, Engineering, Architecture, Economics and/or Management, Social Sciences/Humanistic Sciences, Gastronomic Sciences, Agriculture, Food Technology, or to people with other types of degrees who have also gained significant professional and work experience and who wish to strengthen their professional path in the field of food innovation, acquiring and developing specific and qualified competences.

Selection will be made on the basis of the documentation sent, followed by a possible interview in English language (remotely). The selections will be made in chronological order with respect to the date of receipt of the application, until all available places are filled.
Available seats : 20

Shape your career
At the end of the Master's program, you will be ready to start your professional journey as a:  R&D Food Project Manager, Food Service & Product Designer, Food Brand Manager, Food Startupper / Entrepreneur and Food Innovation Specialist