Introduction
What’s new, the methodology, and the approach behind an extraordinary experience.
Hear the story from Pasquale Volpe, Director of Design in Town.
Design in Town
14th EDITION
Project
Design in Town
14th EDITION
Project
Summer camp
Online Presentations
Students embark on a journey of discovery, exploring their future through the world of creativity.
The 14th edition will run for six weeks, from 7 June to 18 July 2027. Students can choose to attend for 2 or 3 weeks, exploring 4 or 6 different disciplines.
The Summer Camp is open to students aged 14 to 19, from the first to the final year of secondary school, from all over the world, with a good command of Italian.
It is an experience designed to challenge students and put their motivations to the test through challenges both big and small. Participants work on real-world projects side by side with professionals. They become more aware of their potential, identify their interests and discover how they respond to activities that may be outside their comfort zone. All of this takes place through fast-paced, intensive days — with plenty of fun along the way.
Faculty, students and tutors form a new kind of team. Everyone has a different role, but the quality of the results depends on the relationships they build and on the contribution of every member of the group.
These will be 14 or 21 intense days to discover new worlds and become more aware of the choices that lie ahead.
Since its first edition, the Summer Camp has received endorsements from some of Italy’s leading professional associations: ADI, ADCI, AIAP, AI, AIR3 and AFIP, as well as the support of major cultural institutions including Triennale Milano, Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte and Fondazione Achille Castiglioni.
The 2027 Education Partners are IED – Istituto Europeo di Design, USI – Academy of Architecture at Università della Svizzera italiana, and Accademia di Como Aldo Galli – IED Network.
Our students:
Where they come from: 65% Northern Italy, 20% Central and Southern Italy and 15% other countries
Where they study: 55% scientific, classical and language-focused secondary schools, 35% art schools and 10% other types of schools
Who they are: 65% girls and 35% boys
14th dition
Troia 2027
20 – 30 students per class, depending on the discipline.
50 faculty members. Artists, photographers, writers, designers and authors with international experience. All have teaching experience, a strong background in collaborative projects and a healthy dose of visionary thinking.
8 disciplines. Architecture, Design, Fashion, Graphic Design & Communication, Creative Writing, Illustration, Photography and Video.
16 projects exploring the traditions, behaviours, stories and aspirations of a place, developing solutions that are effective, sustainable and creative at the same time.
3 days. That is all the time dedicated to each project: three days of absolute focus, during which students and groups learn to work independently.
2 events. After sunset, open talks about creativity, design and beauty.
3 social media platforms. A continuous stream of information and content documenting the projects as they develop in real time.
#DIT2027
80 / 120 hours of FSL (formerly PCTO), subject to approval by the student’s school.Academic credits.
Our small community in Puglia
Troia has 6,400 inhabitants and breathtaking views from the foothills of the Daunian Sub-Apennines. The quality of life in this peaceful town is something its residents love to share with visitors. It is primarily an agricultural community with a rich cultural heritage. There is a sense of safety and belonging, like being welcomed into a large family. The town is home to numerous artistic treasures that make it one of the most fascinating medieval towns in Southern Italy.
Among them is the magnificent cathedral, founded in 1093 and considered one of the finest examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture, and San Domenico, a fully restored former convent with classrooms and dormitories, where many of Design in Town’s activities take place.
One of the best things about Troia is that you can do everything on foot. In fact, walking is the best way to discover this magical place.San Domenico has already been home to DIT for several editions.
Participation requirements
Only students attending upper secondary school, from Year 1 to Year 5, may participate.
Design in Town is not a summer holiday, but an intensive educational experience working in the classroom with professionals.
It is not a Summer Camp for everyone. Students need to be highly motivated and fully understand what to expect from the experience.
International students must have an adequate knowledge of Italian to participate effectively in all activities.
Places available
30 students per class
20 students for Creative Writing and Illustration classes
Application deadline
Until all places are filled
How it works
Participants work on real-world projects with a practical purpose, side by side with professionals, immersed in intense, fast-paced days. Over the course of one week, each student explores two disciplines, works with two faculty members and completes two different projects. Creative Writing and Illustration are the only exceptions, with two projects developed within the same discipline.
There are just three days to complete each project. The day starts with breakfast at 8:00 am, and work gets underway at 9:00 am. At 1:00 pm, everyone breaks for lunch, then work resumes at 2:30 pm and continues until 7:00 pm. After that, it’s time for dinner and an evening together. But when the project requires it, students get back to work after dinner to meet deadlines and be ready for the final exhibition.
Life at Design in Town follows a few simple rules: be there for every part of the day, deliver projects on time, take care of shared spaces and contribute to life as a group.
Wednesdays and Saturdays are when projects come to an end. In the late afternoon, students finish their work and set up an exhibition in the town’s main square. After dinner, from 10:00 pm, they present what they have created to the public, sharing their projects with visitors and passers-by. At midnight, the exhibition is taken down and everyone returns to the convent for the night.
The following day, it all starts again: a new discipline, a new faculty member and a new project.
Sunday, however, is a day off. It’s a day to rest, enjoy some free time and spend time together, recharge and get ready for the week ahead.
These will be 14 or 21 intense days. Design in Town is not a Summer Camp for everyone. Understanding exactly what to expect is essential to making an informed choice about whether this is the right experience for you.
Extra Activities
Students share everything. They learn to help one another, collaborate, organise themselves and work on projects together. But what would a summer in Puglia be without discovering its culture and traditions, feeling the breeze and the warmth of the sun, and enjoying the simple pleasure of doing nothing with friends?
There will be plenty of opportunities to spend time together, surrounded by nature.
Important information
Throughout the Summer Camp, every student wears the uniform provided on arrival (T-shirt and backpack). Other T-shirts may not be worn.
Students should bring their own trousers, shorts or skirts, which must be black. Please note: not dark grey, not dark blue, but black. We also recommend bringing a plain black sweatshirt for cooler evenings, with no printed or embroidered graphics or branding.
Students must bring their own bed sheets, pillowcases, towels and bathrobe.
To take part fully in the educational activities, students are advised to bring a laptop and a camera. Those who do not have one or both of these can still participate, but should inform the organisers in advance.