Automotive design summer camp in Milan: a complete guide for young people

There is no shortcut to finding out if automotive design it's really what a young person wants to do with their lives. Books explain the theory and videos show the final result, but only contact with the clay, the rendering software and the professional studio reveals whether that vocation is real or just a distant admiration for beautiful cars.

O Automotive Design Summer Camp (Automotive Design & Future Mobility), available in Milan in the summer of 2026, was built exactly for this moment of discovery. In two intensive weeks, young people between 15 and 18 years old learn the fundamentals of the area, work with tools used by industry professionals, and complete the project with complete personal work, ranging from the initial sketch to the 1:10 scale model in clay. This guide covers everything families need to know before starting that journey.

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What is the Automotive Design Summer Camp?

This is an academic immersion project aimed at high school students with an interest in the sector. The scope is deliberately wide and the project is not limited to the aesthetic design of the cars. It also addresses form engineering, brand identity, interior design, user experience (UX), and the concepts that shape electric and autonomous mobility of the future.

The project takes place in Milan, the world capital of design, with extensions to Turin, the historic hub of the Italian automotive industry, and to the Motor Valley, the region of Modena and Bologna that concentrates brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani. The combination of classroom, modeling studio, industrial visits and cultural immersion makes this experience something very different from an ordinary course.

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Who is the project for?

The ideal profile is a young person between 15 and 18 years old who:

• He is interested in design, creativity and industrial aesthetics.
• He likes cars and is interested in the sector in a broad sense.
• Demonstrate curiosity about future engineering, technology, or mobility.
• It has an English level of B1 or above, since classes are held in that language.
• It seeks an experience that connects technical learning and international experience.

Prior design or software experience is not required. Our curating exclusive programs focus on those who are starting out. What matters is a willingness to learn and genuine motivation.

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What do you learn in the two weeks?

The academic content is organized around four main pillars:

1. Fundamentals of design and sketching

The first phase establishes the visual basis. Young people learn vehicle proportions, formal body language, and professional sketching techniques. The refined design is the starting point of any real project, and here the participants learn to think about form in a functional and aesthetic way simultaneously.

2. Clay modeling and volume development

Clay is one of the most respected tools in the industry. In the program, each participant develops their own 1:10 scale model. This allows you to explore volumes and surfaces in three dimensions, understanding how light interacts with the vehicle body.

3. Digital rendering and basic 3D exploration

With the established base, the project introduces the software used in professional workshops. Young people translate analog sketches into digital representations. This contact is valuable for those who want to build a International career, since many universities ask for portfolios with digital works.

4. Interior design, UX, and future mobility

The design doesn't end in the bodywork. The content covers cockpit principles and user experience. This is especially relevant because major automakers are hiring designers who understand both form and technology.

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What are the industrial tours and visits?

This is one of the elements that distinguishes our boutique exchange consultancy. The excursions have direct pedagogical value:

• Italdesign and National Automobile Museum (Turin): Contact with the living history of Italian design and with the real process of developing a vehicle.
• Pagani Automobili (Motor Valley): Seeing up close how Pagani combines art, engineering and artisanal manufacturing is a reference point that remains forever.
• ADI Museum (Milan): Visiting the museum dedicated to the Compasso d'Oro makes the participant understand that design is a language that crosses all industries.

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Where does the project take place?

Classes and laboratories take place in modern facilities in Milan. The city itself is part of the experience because it hosts the most influential Design Week on the planet. The project also includes experiences in Turin, the historic hub of the industry, and in the Motor Valley, where cars became art.

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What is the accommodation and daily routine like?

Participants stay at the Aparto Residence, in the center of Milan. Este exchange project offers:

• Single rooms with private bathrooms.
• Full board with three meals a day included.
• Supervision and shared social activities with young people from other countries.

The routine is structured with academic activities from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The post-class period develops autonomy and adaptability, skills that no local course can replicate.

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The certificate and career preparation

Upon completing the project, the student receives a certificate of completion. This document, together with the portfolio produced in Milan, is a concrete differential for applications at leading universities such as IED in Milan or the Royal College of Art in London.

Having a project developed with professional guidance and visits to Pagani is a much stronger argument in any selection process. In addition, the article How to prepare for your first exchange it's a good starting point for emotional preparation. For those who are planning the weather, we recommend reading about Optimal planning schedule.

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FAQ

Does the program accept young people with no previous experience?

Yes. The Summer Camp is structured for beginners and evolves at a pace appropriate to the level of the participants.

Does the final project remain with the participant?

Yes. All sketches, renderings, and the clay model are the property of the student and form the basis of their portfolio.

How does the project compare to courses in Brazil?

The main difference is the environment and direct access to the industry. We put young people in contact with real professionals and facilities that have no equivalent in the national territory.

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Be Easy

Na Be Easy, we accompany families at every stage, from profile assessment to arrival at the destination. If your child shows an interest in creativity or the automotive sector, our dedicated senior consultant may help to understand if this is the right step. For Start your project, contact us and let's start this conversation.