domus academy's prototyping ideas initiates expert-led talks and workshops

in the aim of recapturing its roots, domus academy introduces the prototyping ideas initiative of talks and workshops through trialling challenging design at an ambitious speed. the internationally renowned italian school of design has been on a mission ever since line ulrika christiansen became head in the summer of 2017. their objective hasn’t been one of returning the establishment back to its foundation in 1982, but rather to recall its true reasons of existence.

all images courtesy of domus academy

before the domus academy, in italy aspiring designers had to individually struggle through the industry rank themselves or first be trained as an architect. the school revolutionized that transition, as students would immediately be trained in their desired profession and as part of the system, work under bona-fide experts responding to real-life briefs committed by real-world companies. this was considered as unique as their sense of urgency to push boundaries. however, the principles of practice-centered and industry-orientated syllabuses have been replicated by schools worldwide, whilst their speed of practice has declined naturally over the decades.

the evolutionary route that line has embarked on with domus academy fixates around ideas. these are the real tools and plans of actions for designers, according to the school. whereas in the past people perceived design to be solely about form, today design enhances technological innovation to reframe experiences more so than to create shapes. in this new and modern environment, strategy is more relevant than aesthetics and ideas have arguably become the very object of design.

echoing modern design’s call to respond to global issues by experimenting with new ideas, domus academy has reacted to launch an ambitious set of expert talks, paired with workshops. as one part, leaders of design – recognized practitioners, theorists and intellectuals –  are being invited and delivering talks on some of the most urgent topics of our time. afterwards, the ideas generated during these seminars influence specific workshops with like-minded experts and companies. during the series of talks, it is the students themselves, from the masters’ programs of design, fashion, business design and experience design, that direct the ideas into challenging but purposeful design solutions.

since its foundation, domus academy has attracted the top talent from italy, as well as from around the world. the uniqueness of the place joins creatives together in an aligned ambition to solve global problems through design, and this has never changed. their latest initiative, an evolution if you will, enhances the help of experts, who, in a few years time, just might have been the very students engaging in prototyping ideas.