Overview
What is Jewelry Design at Polimoda?
Enter the captivating world of jewelry creation with Polimoda’s Jewelry Design program. This innovative undergraduate course merges artistic vision with technical skills, offering students a comprehensive journey through the intricate craft of jewelry making. Set in Florence, a city renowned for its historical tradition in the art of jewelry, this program bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design practices. Jewelry Design encompasses elements such as fabrication techniques, CAD modeling, stone setting, engraving, and enameling, as well as theoretical study of materials and their cultural significance. This is a technical and creative immersion into the world of conceptualizing and crafting jewelry that expresses both personal artistry and cultural meaning. Here you will learn design excellence, technical proficiency, and the importance of innovation in the jewelry design field.
Highlights
The course covers the spectrum from technical skills (metalworking, stone setting, engraving), theoretical knowledge (history of jewelry, material science), and practical industry skills (CAD design, portfolio development). This comprehensive skill set prepares you for a wide range of roles in the jewelry industry while helping you develop soft skills such as attention to detail, problem-solving, and creative expression.
- Design Principles and Aesthetics
- Concept Development
- Sketching and Rendering Techniques
- Computer-Aided Design Software
- 3D Modeling and Digital Prototyping
- Rendering and Visualization
- Metalworking and Fabrication
- Finishing and Polishing Methods
- Hand Engraving Workshop
- Enameling Workshop
- Stone Setting Techniques
- Gemstone Identification and Valuation
- History of Jewelry
- Contemporary Jewelry Movements
Why at Polimoda
Interdisciplinary approach: The course combines design, art, history, and fabrication techniques, allowing students to gain diverse knowledge and skills applicable in various contexts. This holistic approach fosters innovation and prepares students for the multifaceted nature of the jewelry industry.
Hands-on experience: Emphasis on practical workshops and laboratory work provides students with direct experience in techniques and tools, enhancing their craftsmanship and technical abilities. Students work with professional equipment.
Personal expression: The didactic methodology encourages students to develop their unique style and voice, fostering individual creativity and innovation in their designs. You’ll learn to translate your artistic vision into tangible jewelry pieces.
Access to technology: The course integrates technologies such as 3D modeling and CAD software, preparing students for contemporary practices in jewelry design and manufacturing.
Florence heritage: Study in a city renowned for its historical tradition in the art of jewelry. Florence’s rich cultural heritage provides inspiration and context, connecting students to centuries of artisan excellence.
Professional network: Smaller class sizes allow for individualized attention and mentorship from faculty who are active industry professionals, fostering stronger relationships and learning experiences.
Learning method​
- Individual work
- Lectures and theory lessons
- Practical workshops
- Guest lectures from industry professionals
- Project-Based Learning (PBL)
- Internship opportunity at the end of the final year
- 700 contact hours each year
This course description is representative but not exhaustive of the full program.
Careers
Based on individual character and acquired skills, you can become the next:
A Jewelry Designer creates original jewelry pieces, developing concepts from initial sketches through to finished prototypes. They blend artistic vision with technical knowledge of materials, techniques, and design principles to create wearable art. Designers research trends, cultural influences, and historical contexts, translating inspirations into unique pieces. They work in independent studios, boutique ateliers, luxury houses, or commercial manufacturers.
A CAD Designer utilizes computer-aided design software to create detailed digital models and renderings of jewelry designs. They transform conceptual sketches into precise 3D models for prototyping and manufacturing. With expertise in visualization and rendering techniques, they bridge the gap between creative vision and technical production. CAD Designers work closely with jewelry designers and manufacturers to ensure accurate translation of designs.
A Jewelry Manufacturer works in production environments to produce jewelry items according to specific designs and quality standards. They possess comprehensive knowledge of fabrication techniques, metalworking, stone setting, and finishing methods. Manufacturers ensure precision, consistency, and quality control throughout the production process. They collaborate with designers and technical teams to optimize manufacturing workflows and maintain the integrity of original designs.
Career services
The Career and Company Relations Office supports all students by creating a connection with the working world. It promotes educational collaboration with jewelry companies and ateliers via field trips, workshops and lectures. Our customized career services like CV help, career days, individual interviews and internship proposals help students access the job market.
Facilities
Polimoda hosts a range of world class facilities including specialized jewelry workshops equipped with professional tools and equipment, state-of-the-art computer labs with CAD software and 3D modeling programs, dedicated studio spaces for metalworking and finishing, study areas for communal and independent work, two lecture halls, academic services, photo studios, shop, and café.
Manifattura Campus
Manifattura Campus redefines the standards of fashion education: modern and multifunctional spaces host classrooms and technologically advanced workshops designed to faithfully reflect the industry’s environment and equipment. Spanning over 10,000 square meters, the campus includes facilities that are ideal for all types of design students: technical manual laboratories, six photography studios of various sizes, theoretical classrooms, drawing spaces and computer labs with cutting-edge design and publishing software.
Villa Campus
Villa Campus, housed in the historic Villa Favard, serves as Polimoda’s headquarters and heart of fashion business education. Home to programs in marketing, communication, merchandising, retail, product management, and sustainable fashion, this elegant setting combines educational excellence with essential student services. From student orientation to career development, corporate relations to academic support, Villa Campus nurtures both professional growth and creative dialogue in a historic setting that bridges fashion’s past and future.
Beyond academics, Villa Favard stands as Florence’s premier fashion culture destination. The campus hosts international industry leaders and cultural events, creating a dynamic space where fashion education meets real-world experience.
Library
Polimoda’s library is one of the largest fashion libraries in Europe. Located in Florence’s Villa Favard, Centro di Documentazione Matteo Lanzoni – Polimoda Library holds an extensive collection of fashion and design publications.
Since its establishment in 1986, the Polimoda Library has grown to become a hub of fashion and design knowledge. With over 29,000 volumes, including books on jewelry history, design, material science, gemology, and craft techniques, it caters to diverse interests. The library also features an array of fashion and design magazines, look-books, film resources and online materials. It is also a place for quiet, independent study.
Requirements
The basic requirements to apply for this course are:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with motivation letter
- English language proficiency
- Secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalent
- Portfolio
In order to be eligible for this course, you will need to apply via our admissions process.
During the application you are required to upload a Portfolio including an overview of your previous work with samples and photos.
This course description and indication of fieldtrips is representative but not exhaustive of the full program. Course content can be updated throughout the program to maintain a future-oriented perspective, ensuring all courses taught are current and applicable to the evolving fashion landscape.
