LOCATION
Milan
AGES
15-18
Duration
2 weeks
Partner
The HAD - Human Animal Design®
Language
English
Formula
Residential & Day
Program Overview
Pet Design
This pet design summer program in Milan runs for two weeks and is designed for students aged 15 to 18. Designed for creative students curious about design, animals, veterinary and the fast-growing pet industry. Hosted in Milan in partnership with The HAD - Human Animal Design®, Italy’s leading studio in Pet Design, this two-week program introduces an entirely new discipline: designing products, spaces and services for the well-being of pets. Combining design, ethology and zoo-anthropology, students learn to design not for humans alone, but for the animals who share our world, culminating in their own multiexperiential concept for the pet industry.
The program takes place in Milan, the global capital of design and home to The HAD - Human Animal Design®, the studio that pioneered Pet Design as a discipline. Here students work at the meeting point of two of Italy’s great strengths, world-class design culture and a deep respect for animal welfare, in a city that hosts Salone del Mobile, Milan Design Week and the ADI Design Museum.
Why This Matters
- Pet Design is one of the first disciplines in Italy and Europe to combine design with animal welfare.
- Milan is the global capital of design and hosts Salone del Mobile, Milan Design Week and the ADI Design Museum.
- The program runs in partnership with The HAD - Human Animal Design®, the studio that pioneered Pet Design as a discipline.
- Students design not for humans alone, but for the animals who share our world.
- Everything builds toward a multiexperiential concept for the pet industry.
What’s Included
- All lessons & design labs (60 hours)
- Project materials & software
- Accommodation in Milan*
- 3 meals/day (full board)*
- Excursions & cultural visits*
- Certificate of completion
- 24/7 staff supervision
- Liability & Accident Insurance
🏠 Residential accommodation
🏠 Residential accommodation
Accommodation Type
Students stay in comfortable residential accommodation in Milan, with 3 meals per day (full board), sports and leisure activities, and 24/7 staff supervision.
What’s Included in Residential
- Single rooms with en-suite bathroom
- All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner
- House parents present on-site every night
- 24/7 Sportech Academy support staff on call
- Evening and weekend supervised social programme
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Laundry facilities (where available)
- Airport transfer coordination available
Accommodation Photos
Photos are illustrative. Actual residence confirmed after booking.
Please note: The specific residence is confirmed after booking and varies by program location and intake date. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergies, etc.) are always accommodated - please indicate these during the booking process.
Typical Weekly Schedule
Design, Ethology & Zoo-Anthropology
Move beyond an anthropocentric approach and study the foundations of relational ethology and zoo-anthropology, learning how to design ethically for pets.
Animal Perception, Physiology & Needs
Explore the perception, physiology and behavioural needs of dogs and cats, and apply design thinking to real case studies.
Human-Animal Design Studio & Project
Work at the meeting point of design culture and animal welfare with The HAD - Human Animal Design®, turning research into a designed solution.
Special Excursions
Company visit at Arcaplanet and MyPet Clinic, the ADI Design Museum and a Lake Como excursion (residential only), plus Milan sightseeing, visits to Italian design brands and a gelato afternoon.
Final Project
The program culminates in a capstone: students design their own multiexperiential solution, a product, space or service for the pet industry.
Program Highlight Video
Frequently Asked Questions
A two-week program in Milan for students aged 15 to 18, run in partnership with The HAD - Human Animal Design®, introducing the design of products, spaces and services for the well-being of pets and ending with a multiexperiential concept for the pet industry.
Students study the foundations of pet design, relational ethology and zoo-anthropology, explore the perception, physiology and behavioural needs of dogs and cats, and apply design thinking to real case studies, building toward their own multiexperiential solution.
No. The program is built for creative students curious about design, animals, veterinary and the pet industry, and everything is taught from the ground up in hands-on studios.
In Milan, the global capital of design and home to The HAD - Human Animal Design®, the studio that pioneered Pet Design as a discipline, in a city that hosts Salone del Mobile, Milan Design Week and the ADI Design Museum.
A company visit at Arcaplanet and MyPet Clinic, the ADI Design Museum, a Lake Como excursion (residential only), Milan sightseeing, visits to Italian design brands and a gelato afternoon.
House parents stay on-site every night and Sportech Academy staff are on call 24/7. Residences are secure and vetted, chosen for safety and proximity to the program venue.
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal and allergy-related diets are all catered for. Note any requirements during booking and the team arranges them.
Cancellations follow the terms in the enrolment agreement. Contact the admissions team for the current deadlines and conditions before booking.
Dates & Prices
Intake Dates
Intake 1
Sun 4 - Sat 17 July 2027
Intake 2
Available: July 2027
Price
2-week program
€5,050
Residential, per participant. Includes all lessons and design labs, project materials and software, accommodation, full board and excursions.
All programs residential include
- Insurance
- 24/7 support & supervision
- House parents
- Secure facilities
- Meals (residential)
- English teaching
Intake Dates
Intake 1
Mon 5 - Sat 16 July 2027
Intake 2
Available: July 2027
Price
2-week program
€2,950
Day formula, per participant. Includes all lessons and design labs, project materials and software.
All programs residential include
- Insurance
- 24/7 support & supervision
- House parents
- Secure facilities
- Meals (residential)
- English teaching
Ready to apply for Pet Design?
Limited places available for Summer 2027.