Industrial design has been taught for more than fifty years, in universities and scientific-technological schools all over the world. It was first taught in industrialized countries such as those of Europe, North America and Japan and then in more recently developed nations such as India, China, Brazil, Argentina, Korea and Taiwan.

It was Milan itself, with its Politecnico, that saw the creation of Italy's first Degree Course in Industrial Design in 1993. The Politecnico is an 'avant-garde' educational institution, a meeting point of different cultures that teaches both architectural and artistic studies. It is characterized by a creative approach and the solution of problems associated with form, technical, scientific and engineering expertise. Another important aspect of this university is its long experience with establishing a dialogue with the great entrepreneurial and management traditions of small and medium size companies that are so numerous particularly in Lombardia, and Italy in general.

Today Milan is a place where influential decisions are taken in the design-oriented manufacturing sectors that have made Italian products famous all over the world: fashion and apparel, furniture, accessories, cars and motorbikes, household appliances and goods, furniture and interior decoration. At the same time, the city is opening its doors to new scenarios and new sectors, due to the presence of important international design firms specialized in the most innovative sectors of high technology. The international resonance of this town is reflected by the prestige acquired in just a few years by the Design Faculty of Politecnico di Milano. It is today the world's largest university for training designers specializing in products, communication, interiors and fashion, both in terms of the number of students and teachers.

Nine years after its creation, it features two campuses, one in Milan and one in Como. The institution has about 4000 students, more than 700 teachers and about 800 assistants, professionals and specialists in the subjects taught, who support the teachers. More than 900 of its graduates today work as professional designers, or have found employment in manufacturing and service companies.