Bachelor in Design

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

IE University

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Design at IE University is a dynamic, multidisciplinary 4-year program (240 ECTS credits) that blends creativity, business savvy, and real-world problem-solving to shape innovative leaders in fields like product, graphic, interior, UX/UI, and service design. It's perfect for curious students who love observing the world, challenging norms, and turning ideas into tangible solutions through hands-on projects—preparing you to thrive in fast-changing industries.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 dives into the foundations of design thinking, sparking your creativity with a project-based approach right from the start. You'll experiment in the Design Studio through agile exercises like sketching and material work at the IE Fablab, building core skills in drawing for analysis, drawing for communication, and 3D visualization while uniting theory and practice. This year explores all design areas broadly, helping you discover your passion with an analytical mindset.

Year 2 builds on those basics, deepening your technical toolkit with a focus on representational techniques and design history. Courses like Introduction to Project-Based Learning and hands-on studios challenge you to solve real problems, integrating knowledge from design, business, and social sciences to create functional, emotional designs. You'll start seeing how to blend aesthetic fundamentals—such as morphology, structure, color, and typography—with practical applications.

Year 3 sharpens your designer profile across five key areas: design culture, techniques, applied sciences, business, and project-centered design, with electives to tailor your path and options for study abroad. You'll master materials technology, production techniques, modeling, and visualization while tackling briefs that balance technical, aesthetic, and communication needs—plus explore industrial processes and digital manufacturing. This phase hones your ability to produce versatile outcomes in products, graphics, or interfaces, incorporating interdisciplinary insights.

Year 4 culminates in advanced specialization (choosing diplomas in Interior, Graphic, or Product Design), a Final Project, and professional prep through internships at global studios. You'll apply everything—from User Experience and Materials & Fabrication to business strategy—in real-world scenarios, building a resilient profile ready for industry trends.

Focus areas: Specialize in Interior Design (Spatial Design, Materials, Lighting, Acoustics), Graphic Design (Visual Identity, UX/UI, Illustration, Motion Graphics), or Product Design (Product Strategy, User Experience, Materials, Fabrication)—with exposure to Service Design, UX, Visual Design, Digital Product Design, and more.

Learning outcomes: Master graphic language/tools for problem-solving; produce hands-on designs in products/graphics/interfaces blending disciplines; apply modeling, materials, and production with viability/social/tech constraints; devise projects meeting technical/functional/aesthetic briefs; create aesthetically/theoretically sound designs; understand manufacturing processes and digital contributions; grasp aesthetic fundamentals like morphology, color, space, and typography.

Professional alignment (accreditation): IE University's project-oriented methodology and business integration align with industry demands, offering over a year of internships and ties to leading firms—though specific accreditations aren't detailed, the program's ECTS structure meets European standards for design diplomas.

Reputation (employability rankings): Graduates are recruited pre-graduation by top multinationals, startups, and studios worldwide, building international networks through global internships; IE's strong business ties and innovative approach create highly sought-after profiles for roles in design, UX, services, and entrepreneurship.

Ready to shape the future? Apply now: https://www.ie.edu/university/studies/academic-programs/bachelor-design/

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At IE University, our Bachelor in Design immerses you in experiential learning from day one, where you'll gain practical skills by turning ideas into real prototypes using state-of-the-art tools and facilities. You'll work in dynamic spaces like the MIT-accredited Fab Labs on both Segovia and Madrid campuses, equipped with cutting-edge machinery to test designs in materials like plastic, resin, clay, textiles, and metal—perfect for hands-on experimentation in product, interior, or graphic design. In studios filled with natural light and collaborative energy, you'll tackle real-world projects with industry experts, blending theory with immediate practice to build a resilient design portfolio.

This project-based approach means you'll dive right into group exercises, digital fabrication, and material work:
- Access 3D printers (for plastic, curable resin, clay), laser cutters, CNC routers, 3D scanners, potter's wheels, kilns, heat presses for vinyl on textiles, welding tools for metal structures, spray-painting areas, and printing presses in the Fab Labs.
- Collaborate on group projects and individual exercises in the Design Studio and Architecture Studio, developing solutions for real scenarios like spatial design, UX/UI, or product strategy with faculty guidance.
- Use cutting-edge design software in digital fabrication areas to create files, then produce physical objects—ensuring your work meets aesthetic, technical, and business constraints.
- Experiment in sewing labs, digital studios, and bio labs for new materials at the IE Creative Campus in Segovia, a 24/7 space merging history with tech.
- Engage in project-based learning from year one, like the first design exhibition with 10 agile exercises in sketching, materials, and problem-solving at the Fab Lab.

These resources set you up to create innovative designs that stand out in the industry—imagine prototyping your own products or interfaces with tools pros use daily. Ready to apply and bring your ideas to life? Check out the full facilities list here: [IE School of Architecture and Design Facilities](https://www.ie.edu/school-architecture-design/our-facilities/)

Progression & Future Opportunities

At IE University, our Bachelor in Design immerses you in experiential learning right from day one, where you'll gain practical skills by turning ideas into real prototypes and solutions using top-tier facilities. You'll dive into hands-on projects in the MIT-accredited Fab Labs on both Segovia and Madrid campuses, experimenting with cutting-edge tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines to blend digital design with physical creation. Students rave about the inspiring setup—think open studios flooded with natural light in the historic Creative Campus in Segovia, plus sewing labs, bio labs for new materials, and digital studios that make long collaboration sessions feel effortless and exciting.

Here's how you'll build those real-world design skills through specific program features:
- Fab Labs with 3D printers (plastic, resin, clay), CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D scanners, potter’s wheels, kilns, heat presses for textiles, welding areas for metal structures, spray-painting zones, and printing presses—plus cutting-edge design software for digital fabrication.
- Group projects from year one, like the first design exhibition with 10 agile exercises in sketching, materials work, and problem-solving, done individually and collaboratively at the Fab Lab.
- Design Studio and Architecture Studio for dynamic, real-world projects guided by faculty and industry experts, fostering hands-on collaboration in open, inspiring spaces.
- Project-based learning throughout the degree, applying modeling, materials tech, and production techniques to viable designs with aesthetic, technical, and environmental focus.
- Sewing labs, bio labs for material experimentation, and classic shop tools alongside digital tech for prototyping everything from products to interiors.

This is just the start—imagine prototyping your portfolio pieces here and stepping into a design career fully prepared. Ready to apply and make it yours? Check out the full facilities list: https://www.ie.edu/school-architecture-design/our-facilities/.