(Cambiano, Italy – 30 October 2024) – Automobili Pininfarina has announced a prestigious new sponsorship for the 2025 Master’s thesis in Transportation Design at the acclaimed IAAD. Istituto d’Arte Applicata e Design, in Turin, Italy. This partnership, built on a shared passion for innovation and excellence, offers unparalleled industry insight to 17 students from around the globe enrolled in the 15-month Master’s course, designed to refine their expertise and launch their careers in automotive design.
As part of the AD Education network—one of Europe’s leading private design education institutions—IAAD. is at the forefront of applied arts and design education, with a presence in France and an extensive network of 19 schools and 70 campuses across Europe. The Master’s programme in Transportation Design, now in its fifteenth year, draws on the expertise of a highly international faculty, enrolling students from diverse backgrounds in industrial design, product design, and mechanical engineering.
The students, hailing from countries including Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, India, and South Korea, are being exposed to an intensive curriculum spanning vehicle architecture, car design history, sketching, 3D modeling, and presentation techniques. This foundational knowledge is bolstered by workshops and special lectures that bring industry practices directly into the classroom.
Bringing Industry Expertise to the Classroom
As part of its commitment to fostering new talent, Automobili Pininfarina will deliver a series of specialized lectures covering critical areas such as Color, Material, and Finish (CMF), Exterior Design, Interior Design, Experience Design, and Marketing. These sessions are crafted to offer students hands-on, practical insight into industry practices and trends, led by professionals at the cutting edge of automotive design and innovation. For the students, these sessions represent a rare chance to absorb knowledge from one of the world’s most forward-thinking automotive brands and to directly interact with industry leaders shaping the future of mobility.
Davide Tealdi, an experienced designer and course leader at IAAD., has brought together a team of distinguished lecturers who regularly invite guest speakers from across the automotive world. Among these is Dave Amantea, Chief Design Officer at Automobili Pininfarina, who has collaborated with IAAD. on multiple occasions. This year, Amantea will again join the faculty to evaluate the final thesis submissions, an invaluable opportunity for students to showcase their skills before a renowned industry figure.
Commenting on the partnership, Amantea remarked, “This collaboration is fantastic, giving members of the Automobili Pininfarina design team the chance to interact with and inspire the next generation of global design talent. It is a genuine honor and a privilege; everyone is delighted to be involved.” This sentiment is echoed by Dario Olivero, IAAD. Masters’ Coordinator, who emphasized the unique value of the collaboration, saying, “Working with an Italian brand that carries such a prestigious heritage is truly unique. It offers our students not only access to cutting-edge design practices but also the chance to learn from the rich traditions of Italian automotive excellence.”
Empowering Future Designers
The current cohort of IAAD. students will graduate in February 2026, equipped with practical and theoretical skills honed under the guidance of world-class designers. With IAAD.’s strong track record of student employability—approximately 90% secure employment within one year of graduation—this collaboration with Automobili Pininfarina is expected to further enhance their prospects. Graduates will emerge as part of a new generation of design professionals, inspired by the vision and expertise of one of Italy’s most iconic automotive brands and poised to make their own mark in the industry.
