Placement And Career Support At IED

IED's placement value comes from its creative-industry focus, career-service activity, portfolio culture and city-based employer access. Students should expect a career path that depends on portfolio strength, networking and practical project evidence.

Career Service Support

IED campuses typically provide career support through guidance, company contact, internship information, portfolio preparation and employment-oriented events. The exact support can vary by campus and programme, so students should check the chosen course page and campus services before applying.

Useful support areas may include:

• CV and portfolio review
• Internship guidance
• Career fairs or recruiter meetings
• Company projects
• Alumni and industry talks
• Interview preparation
• Advice for freelance or creative-studio careers

Creative Career Pathways

IED students may move into roles such as:

Study area	Possible outcomes
Fashion	Fashion designer, stylist, fashion communicator, buyer support, visual merchandiser
Graphic and communication design	Graphic designer, brand designer, art director assistant, motion designer, content designer
Product and interior design	Product designer, interior designer, furniture design assistant, design researcher
Digital and media design	UX/UI designer, media designer, interactive designer, digital content creator
Photography and video	Photographer, video editor, visual storyteller, production assistant
Creative management	Brand assistant, creative project coordinator, marketing executive, design-management trainee

Portfolio Matters More Than A Generic Placement Claim

For IED, students should avoid judging placement only by a single salary figure or generic placement percentage. Creative careers are often project-based, freelance, studio-based or internship-led, so the portfolio can be the strongest employability asset.

Students should focus on building:

• A polished portfolio website or PDF
• Clear project case studies
• Evidence of process, research and final execution
• Real-world briefs or collaborative work
• Internship and freelance experience
• Strong visual presentation skills

City-Based Employability

The selected campus can shape employability. Milan has strong fashion, product, luxury and design links. Barcelona and Madrid offer design, digital communication, fashion, branding and creative-agency exposure. Other IED cities may suit more specialised interests.

Students should compare:

• Local internship rules
• Language expectations in the job market
• Availability of English-speaking roles
• Cost of living during internships
• Post-study visa or work-route options

Advice For September 2026 Applicants

Students targeting the September 2026 intake should shortlist courses by career outcome. Before applying, ask:

• Does the course produce the portfolio I need?
• Are there company projects or internships?
• What does the campus career service provide?
• Which employers or studios connect with the school?
• Is the local language important for internships?
• Can I afford the city while searching for creative work?

IED can be a strong career-focused choice for motivated creative students, but the best outcomes usually come from proactive networking, strong portfolio work and early use of career support.