Teaching and Exploring in Rome
Michael Graves had a vision while developing the Architecture program at Kean University for students to study a semester in Rome in their third year. In response, graphic, interior, and industrial design have the same option. The experience is not taking design classes in another country but immersing oneself in another culture. I have witnessed the profound growth in my students and engaged them in conversations about how living in Rome has transformed them. The experience was magical and reinforced my belief in the value of experiential learning.
PROJECT DURATION
Total 15 weeks: ten online, two in Rome (University of Washington, Rome campus), and three in person (Union campus); Fall 2022
COURSES
DSN4000 Critical Perspectives in Design
SPRING 2024
In February, I returned to Rome with two seniors from my Portfolio course who wanted to study abroad before graduating and explored a new dimension of the Rome experience. This semester, our Associate Dean, Rose Gonnella, established a partnership with Isia, Rome's only public design college. Kean's industrial design and graphic design students attended workshops and collaborated on projects with Isia's graduate students. Additionally, my colleagues Efe Kutuk (U.S.A.) and Maurizio Vrenna (China) partnered with Italian design houses Alessi and Benebone to work on projects with our students. You can see the final Kean/Isia presentations here.
FALL 2022
