Design in Europe

Iceland, United Kingdom

• Dates – July 5–August 2, 2025
• Max Enrollment – 32
• Taught In – English
• Prerequisites – No
• Academic Area – Design

Program Overview

Iceland, Scotland, and England are European countries that are distinctively different when it comes to innovative and influential art, architecture, and design. Iceland’s design tradition is very young. This lack of tradition has proved to be a great advantage, ensuring freedom and even creative anarchy. Scotland’s history of innovation and artistic independence is deep and globally recognized. England’s design heritage mixes the traditional with the unconventional. Creative projects will focus on the design of multi-sensory experiences for cultural, commercial, and public spaces, and the evolution of European design expression. Excursions include visiting famous design sites and professional design studios and experiencing total design immersion at Iceland’s Museum of Design and Applied Arts, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and London’s Design Museum.

Program Contacts

• Program Coordinator – Jasmine Li
• Instructor – Tim McNeil

Program Highlights

• Experience living in the heart of four amazing European cities: Reykjavik, Edinburgh, York and London.
• Participate in behind-the-scenes visits to world-class design related museums and cultural attractions.
• Enjoy organized excursions to the vibrant city of Glasgow and seaside town of Whitby.
• Work on creative projects and meet with leading professional designers in their studios.
• Study and make friends at other design schools including Iceland University of the Arts and London's prestigious Central St. Martins.

What Students are Saying

• "The most rewarding aspect of my experience were the projects. Working with design studios made it feel more real to me. It helped me grasp the concept of what I will be doing in the future. I also felt very proud once I finished the 200-page visual journal. This whole experience made me feel more confident in my design skills and artistic ability!"
• "I made great friends and got to talk to peers about their plans on what they will do with their major."
• "It is one thing to learn about these things in a classroom (many places that we visited I have learned about in class), but it is a whole different, amazing experience to be there in person."

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