Milan
The capital city of Made in Italy, it is a dynamic city with a strong international focus that proposes a model of cultural growth in continuous expansion.
By studying in Milan, you will be able to enter this creative system and the synergy of its international excellence in the areas of fashion, design, art and communication.
Why study in Milan?
By studying in Milan, students are able to become familiar with and experience the work of the most important artists and designers whose professional practices, showrooms and ateliers are located here.
Students are able to engage with skilled craftsmen, as well as with the most modern and innovative fablabs, production and service centres.
During their studies, students can benefit from the opportunities offered by a city rich in artistic and cultural events organised by internationally famous institutions with which NABA collaborates, such as the Teatro alla Scala, the Triennale Milano and the National Chamber of Italian Fashion.
The city offers varied artistic and cultural opportunities, with theatrical performances ranging from the most classical to the most innovative, and galleries, institutes and museums with diversified artistic proposals, from the most traditional to the most experimental.
Milan is also Italy’s most important editorial centre, where newspapers, communication and advertising agencies, television production houses and TV studios are based.
Milan benefits from an ideal location in Europe. In addition to the study trips to cities of reference for specific sectors envisaged by certain educational programmes, such as to Basel to visit the Art Basel international trade fair, students can easily spend weekends in other European countries thanks to the proximity and frequent air and rail connections, and stations easily reachable from the Campus.
NABA Campus in Milan
NABA Campus in Milan is located near the Navigli area, one of the liveliest areas of the city, and it is inserted in a historical architectural complex consisting of 14 buildings spread over approximately 23,000 sqm including study and lounge areas dedicated to students, specialised laboratories, a library, green areas, and a cafeteria.
Laboratories
NABA features numerous specialised laboratories where students can use professional tools for complex and interdisciplinary projects in the Design, Fashion Design, Media Design and New Technologies, Visual Arts Areas.
Students have the opportunity to experience firsthand the team work, in which the several fashion, design, communication, new technologies and art professionals confront each other and collaborate.
Design Labs are equipped with numerous state-of-the-art tools and machines. They have the standard equipment of tools and power tools, together with a milling cutter, lathes, a circular saw, band saws, a painting booth, and a professional thermoforming machine. Students can carry on their projects and train thanks to the specialised sections: Light Modelling, for working with polystyrene and making studio models; Wood and Plastic, for complex machining processes; Laser Cutting, 3D Printer, Clay 3D Printer and CNC Milling machine, for creating models and prototypes in accordance with sustainable practices focused on recovering, collecting, recycling and transforming any plastic and materials used during design.
Fashion Design Labs enable students to perform tailoring activities, from the first steps to the most complex projects, thanks to state-of-the-art machines and tools (such as Framis machine, Lectra System or Shima Seiki machine). The Sewing Lab is equipped with industrial sewing machines, presses, and professional irons and standers, as well as male, female and child dummies. In the Textile Laboratory there is drying equipment for fabrics and equipment for silk screen printing. The Knitwear Laboratory and Textile Library is equipped with knitting machines and it is also a place for research and in-depth information, with its collection of 4000 fabric samples, most of which have been coded and provided with data sheets.
The Media Design Laboratory is divided into different sections to cover the different disciplinary areas. In the Medialab, students can use audio/video equipment (professional digital cameras, like RED Gemini, video cameras, lenses, monitors, lighting, microphones). The Lighting Technology Laboratory - Green Screen is a completely dimmed space for the purpose of setting up photo and video sets, with standard equipment (light bridge sets, different colour backdrops and various types of light). The Techlab provide students with tools for audio and video post-production, editing, colour correction, visual effects, sound recording and mixing, 2D and 3D animation and VR. NABA is among the first academies at an international level to boast a laboratory on its campus dedicated to Virtual Production, the Virtual Studio, with a Led Volume and an advanced Motion Capture system, where, in conjunction with the other labs, a number of the Area main subjects, such as VFX, live sets and mixed reality events, can be taught.
Visual Arts Area Laboratories are dedicated to the several disciplines of artistic representation and enable students training with techniques and materials. The Painting Laboratory (Studio) provides easels, spaces and benches equipped for individual work. The Etching and Gravure laboratory is also fully equipped for printing. Students can also benefit from a Darkroom, specifically intended for developing photographic film.
Library
The Library is an important resource for students and teaching staff alike. It works in support of learning, teaching and research, providing books, films, dissertations, reports, and on-line resources. The Library has a reading room for study purposes and several IMac computers available to students. Its catalogue includes approximately 14.000 volumes, over 50 subscriptions to specialised reviews, more than 500 dvd and more than 300 e-books; items can be consulted in the library or withdrawn on loan. Inside the Library, students can find also a Materials Library, more than 100 innovative material samples, selected on the basis of the needs of NABA courses and that can be experienced at firsthand. Students can also access some of the most prestigious online databases including BoF, JSTOR, WGSN, Vogue Archive and more.
Student Classrooms
Study Halls
Study Halls provide a comfortable and peaceful setting where students can work in the intervals between lectures or in their spare time.
Computer Classrooms
Several Computer Classrooms, equipped with IT workstations (Mac Os and Windows) and access to internet and NABA’s intranet, are available to students during lesson times.
Student Lounge
Free access shared room for a snack at lunchtime or between the lectures, equipped with microwave ovens.
THE CORNER – Campus Bar & Restaurant
The Corner, Campus Bar & Restaurant, is on three floors: a large central dining room, a mezzanine floor and a panoramic summer terrace. There is also an al fresco area in the summer.