NABA – Nuova Accademia Di Belle Arti

NABA’s Career Services & Industry Relations Office supports students in transitioning from the academy to the professional world. The Office assists students in developing self-promotion tools, refining personal branding, and taking the first steps in the creative industry. Through strong partnerships with companies, students gain access to internship agreements, job opportunities, and collaborative projects that provide real-world experience.

The online platform NABA Symplicity allows students, alumni, and faculty to share portfolios and CVs, while companies post internships and job openings tailored to their profiles.
TalentHarbour offers guidance on résumé and portfolio building, social media management, interview preparation, and networking strategies. Students also receive insights from industry experts, lawyers, and corporate representatives through workshops, events, and simulated recruiting sessions. Hands-on experiences such as the Design Marathon, a 48-hour global brand challenge, and Recruiting Day, where companies meet students on campus for presentations and interviews, prepare students to enter the job market with confidence.

With an employability rate of 92% within one year of graduation, NABA Career Services provides students with the tools, guidance, and opportunities needed to successfully launch their professional journeys.

NABA’s location in the heart of Milan places opportunity at students’ doorstep. Step out of the classroom and into Milan, a global capital of design, fashion, and creativity. Italy’s most dynamic cultural and economic hub, Milan offers students a unique environment where learning extends far beyond the classroom. Industries such as fashion, design, media, and technology are just minutes away, providing students with hands-on experience and the chance to build professional networks.

Milan hosts Milan Design Week, the world’s most important design event, and renowned fashion shows that draw global attention. Students also have access to world-class cultural institutions such as Fondazione Prada, Armani Silos, Triennale di Milano, ADI Design Museum, and Museo del Novecento, offering endless inspiration and opportunities for collaboration.

Milan’s vibrant, cosmopolitan population makes it a welcoming home for international students, with lively neighbourhoods, exceptional cuisine, and cultural events that celebrate art, music, and heritage. NABA’s urban campus is fully integrated into the city, giving students unparalleled opportunities to explore, connect, and grow in one of the world’s most inspiring creative capitals.

NABA’s Milan campus, located near the vibrant Navigli district, spans approximately 23,000 sqm across 14 historic buildings. The campus features study and lounge areas, specialised laboratories, a library, green spaces, and a cafeteria, offering students a dynamic environment for learning and collaboration.

The Academy hosts numerous specialised laboratories for Design, Fashion Design, Media Design & New Technologies, and Visual Arts. Design Labs are equipped with advanced tools, including milling cutters, laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines, and dedicated sections for model-making, wood and plastic processing, and sustainable prototyping. Fashion Design Labs provide industrial sewing machines, presses, Framis, Lectra, and Shima Seiki systems, as well as a Textile Library with over 4,000 fabric samples. Media Design Labs include professional cameras, lighting, audio/video post-production tools, and a state-of-the-art Virtual Production studio with LED Volume and Motion Capture systems. Visual Arts Labs support painting, etching, printing, and photography with a fully equipped Darkroom.

The Library houses around 14,000 volumes, 50+ journal subscriptions, 500+ DVDs, and online databases like BoF, JSTOR, WGSN, and Vogue Archive, alongside a Materials Library with over 100 innovative samples. Additional facilities include study halls, computer classrooms, a student lounge, and The Corner, a three-floor bar and restaurant with panoramic terraces. These facilities provide students with professional tools, collaborative spaces, and an inspiring environment to develop their creative skills.

As a leading higher-education institution, NABA is dedicated to addressing real-world challenges and serving as a hub of innovation. Sustainability is at the core of our approach, promoting circularity and natural methods across disciplines.

Zero Waste Culture in the Design Labs – NABA’s Design Labs, including Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Clay 3D Printing, and CNC Milling, enable students to create models and prototypes following sustainable practices. Materials are recovered, collected, recycled, and transformed, fostering a culture of responsible and innovative design.

Orto Tintorio – The Natural Dye Garden – In 2023, NABA inaugurated Orto Tintorio, an experimental garden for natural textile dyes. This initiative is the result of a prestigious collaboration between NABA’s Fashion Design Area, the University of Milan’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the Officina del Colore Naturale research laboratory. The project allows students to explore sustainable textile practices firsthand, blending creativity with ecological responsibility.

Through these initiatives, NABA equips students with the knowledge, tools, and mindset to innovate responsibly while addressing the environmental challenges of the contemporary design world.