Raffles Milano International Design Institute

Summary

Raffles Milano – International Design Institute is a distinguished private design school in Milan, Italy. Established in 2017, it serves as the European hub of the Raffles Education Network, a global leader in creative education. Situated in the Porta Venezia district, the institute offers a transdisciplinary approach to design education, fostering innovation, sustainability, and cultural inclusivity. Raffles Milano provides Bachelor’s, Master’s, and short courses across design disciplines, including Fashion, Interior, Product, Visual, and Communication Design. The institution is recognised for its emphasis on real-world projects, collaborative learning, and a cosmopolitan environment that prepares students for the global creative industry.

History

Raffles Milano was founded in 2017 as part of the Raffles Education Network, which was established in 1990 in Singapore. The network has since expanded to include 16 colleges and universities across 9 countries, offering a diverse range of design and business programs. The Milan campus was conceived to provide a European base for the network, leveraging Milan’s status as a global design capital. The choice of Milan was strategic, aligning with the city’s rich heritage in fashion, design, and innovation.

The institute’s campus is located at Via Felice Casati 16, in the heart of the Porta Venezia Design District. This area is known for its dynamic blend of historical architecture and contemporary design, providing an inspiring backdrop for students. The campus itself reflects the institute’s philosophy, with architecture that emphasizes openness, collaboration, and interaction between students and faculty.

Since its inception, Raffles Milano has adopted a pedagogical model centered on transdisciplinarity. This approach encourages students to engage in projects that intersect various design disciplines, promoting a holistic understanding of design challenges. Faculty members are industry professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom, guiding students through practical projects and fostering a strong connection with the creative industry.

The institute’s curriculum is designed to be flexible and adaptive, responding to the evolving demands of the global design landscape. Courses are structured to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to enter the professional world. Raffles Milano also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, encouraging students to consider environmental and social impacts in their design processes.

Over the years, Raffles Milano has established partnerships with leading design firms, cultural institutions, and industry professionals. These collaborations provide students with opportunities for internships, workshops, and exposure to current industry practices. The institute’s involvement in events like Milan Design Week further underscores its commitment to integrating education with industry trends. The alumni network of Raffles Milano is diverse and global, with graduates working in various sectors of the design industry worldwide.

Looking ahead, Raffles Milano continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance its educational offerings. The institute remains dedicated to its mission of fostering creativity, innovation, and sustainability in design education.

Vision

The founder’s vision for Raffles Milano is to create an educational environment that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. By integrating various design fields, the institute aims to cultivate versatile designers capable of addressing complex, multifaceted challenges. Another key aspect of the vision is to establish a cosmopolitan learning community. By attracting students from diverse cultural backgrounds, Raffles Milano seeks to enrich the educational experience and prepare students for the globalised nature of the design industry.

Top Courses

Branding for Luxury, Fashion and Design is one of the popular courses in fashion. Master’s degree students will be able to manage the brand aspects from the creation to the development and management; adopt business development strategies and methodologies from the major leading consultancy firms, both as an entrepreneur and as a consultant; develop and drive the brand expression across identity, communication and activations; and  operate in the branding market with a strategic innovative vision, to innovate branding models according to design methodologies all over the world. Classes will take place in Milano, where the branding professionals from all over the world will join the students to work together. The Master is accredited by the Guglielmo Marconi University of Rome.

Master’s in Fashion Design and Sustainability includes the following topics: -Sustainable Design Practices -Circular Economy and Emerging Materials -Ethical Production and Supply Chains -Fashion Management for a Sustainable Future -PR & Communication in Sustainable Fashion. This master’s program immerses international students in sustainable design, guiding them in developing ethical, visually compelling concepts with minimal environmental impact. Led by international experts, they will explore eco-friendly materials, ethical production, and effective communication strategies for conscious fashion. Practical projects will refine students ability to coordinate sustainable collections while navigating key legal aspects, from ethical regulations to intellectual property. The program culminates in a personal project, enriching portfolio and preparing our students for a future in responsible fashion.

Master’s in Fashion Photography includes the following topics: – Context of Italian and international photography – Creativity and creation of new projects – Advertising and corporate
– Fashion, beauty and portraiture – Still life – Photojournalism and photo editing – Storytelling – Technology and digital creativity- Portfolio creation. The Master is accredited by the Guglielmo Marconi University of Rome. Graduates can pursue opportunities as a photographer, video maker, photo editor, photography curator, commercial photographer or photojournalist.

Job Integration Rate

Raffles Milano maintains a strong track record of graduate employability. Approximately 97% of its students secure employment within ten months of graduation. This high job integration rate is attributed to the institute’s robust career services, including personalized coaching, portfolio development, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. The institute’s emphasis on real-world projects and collaborations with leading design firms further enhances students’ readiness for the professional world. These experiences provide students with practical skills and industry insights, making them highly attractive to potential employers.

References

1. “Learn Fashion Design”. indoconnectsingapore.com. 
2. “Singapore, Raffles Design Institute”. 
3.  “Raffles Pulse May 2010” (PDF). Raffles Design Institute News. 
4. “Raffles gets Best Design School Award”. Raffles Design Institute News.
5. “Thailand acts against Raffles Design school”. www.asiaone.com. 
6. Crackdown on foreign-linked colleges has many baffled, stranded. University World News
7. “160 students in a fix as Raffles design institute shuts down”. The New Indian Express. 
8. “Not just Bengaluru branch, 3 other Raffles colleges shut down”. The Times of India. 
9. “Re-registration 25 Jan 2016”. www.teqsa.gov.au. 
10. “Raffles College applies to withdraw registration”. www.teqsa.gov.au. 
11. “Raffles College Pty Ltd: Withdraw registration 20 December 2018”. www.teqsa.gov.au. 
12. “Five Raffles Education directors to be formally arrested, bail set at S$30,000 each”. The Business Times.
13. “Lim How Teck and four other Raffles Education directors charged with disclosure breaches”. Business Times.