|
Culture Study by Design
For three weeks during the summer, Bill Dasso joined a group of Miami students in an exploration of Italy's architecture and design, from ancient Roman structures to the glass blowing factories of Venice.
The participants of "Italian Design 2005" represented a mix of architecture, interior design, and graphic design majors. Students participating in the biennial program visited Italian design firms and met with professionals in the field—all while absorbing the culture and history of Italy.
"The culture is very significant," said architecture professor John Weigand, who created the program in 1999. "Designers [in Italy] are the Michael Jordans of that country. People really revere design."
Students received academic credit by completing photo essays, sketchbooks, and a professional design project. A Miami alumnus led small groups in building model kiosks to promote a future fashion museum in Milan.
"The museum is being built soon," said Dasso, an architecture major. "Some of our ideas may find their way into it."
Participants traveled as a group by bus through major Italian cities and small towns during the program.
"Being able to see all the history, in person, was invaluable," Dasso said. "In addition, seeing the work they are doing today and seeing how different it is from what I see every day in America will hopefully influence my studio design in a couple years."
|
