Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design
Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design is a company.
Financial History
Leadership Team
Key people at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design.
Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design is a company.
Key people at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design.
The Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) is a postgraduate school and consultancy specializing in interaction design, emphasizing a life-centred approach to create intuitive products, services, and environments that address societal and environmental challenges aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.[1][2] It offers a one-year full-time immersive program, pop-up schools worldwide, and consultancy services, bringing together diverse students, faculty, and industry partners to foster innovative, people-focused design solutions.[3][1]
CIID serves aspiring interaction designers, organizations, and communities by empowering them with skills in socio-technological design, solving real-world problems through interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical, regenerative interventions.[1][4] Its growth includes expansions to studios in San Jose, Costa Rica (2020) and Bergamo, Italy (2024), enhancing its global reach and impact in design education.[1][2]
Founded in Denmark in 2006, CIID welcomed its first students in 2007 at studios on the Østerbro campus of Danmarks Designskole in Copenhagen, completing a pilot-year Masters-level program in 2008 with funding from The Enterprise and Construction Authority (EBST), the Danish Ministry of Culture, Novo Nordisk, and the JL Foundation.[2][1] The program was supported by Design School Kolding, marking early traction in interaction design education.[2]
Headed by Simona Maschi, with a board and faculty including experts like Gillian Crampton Smith and Bill Verplank, CIID evolved from a Danish-rooted institution to a global entity, opening studios in Costa Rica in 2020 and Bergamo's historic Monastero di Astino in 2024, while expanding pop-up courses to partners like FLAME University in India.[2][1][3]
CIID rides the trend of human-centered design in socio-technological innovation, where interaction design bridges traditional disciplines with emerging tech to create intuitive, impactful experiences amid rapid digital transformation.[1][2] Its timing aligns with growing demand for ethical, regenerative design addressing UN SDGs, as industries face pressures for sustainable, user-focused solutions in AI, services, and environments.[1]
Market forces like global design education needs and interdisciplinary collaboration favor CIID's expansion, influencing the ecosystem by training practitioners who shape products for major clients and partners, while pop-up models democratize access to cutting-edge skills.[3][4][5] This positions CIID as a key enabler in the shift toward design that prioritizes societal good over pure tech novelty.[1]
CIID's trajectory points to further global studio growth and hybrid programs blending physical pop-ups with digital delivery, capitalizing on demand for life-centred designers in AI ethics, sustainability tech, and regenerative services.[1][2] Trends like interdisciplinary education and SDG-aligned innovation will amplify its influence, potentially expanding consultancy for enterprise clients tackling climate and social challenges.
As an international hub evolving from Danish roots to multi-continental presence, CIID remains poised to empower the next generation of designers driving positive impact in a tech-driven world.[1][3]
Key people at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design.