London Study Abroad:
University of Arts London
A semester of fun travels, creative projects, and tromping around European cities ...
"I was skeptical about CSM's approach to teaching, however, I’ve come to embrace and trust the process"
During the past fall semester, I studied abroad in London at the University of Arts London. I was a part of their product and industrial design program at the famous Central Saint Martins campus. Coming to UAL from DAAP was a large learning curve. I knew coming in, the teaching approach would be more conceptual and artsy, everything DAAP wasn’t. I approached this semester abroad as a way to complement my highly technical university. Suffice it to say, I was skeptical about CSM's approach to teaching, however, I’ve come to embrace and trust the process.
Before, I’d jump straight into ideas-doing the research was just to have some cool chart to show in my portfolio. But now I get it. I see how it’s a space to dig in and explore. To learn, to compile, to sort, and extrapolate.By the end of the semester, I completed a studio project under the topic of Climate Emergencies, designing a data-driven wildfire monitoring system designed for elderly residents in rural communities. I’ve presented this project specifically to showcase how my various experiences at UC, my hometown, and in London have shaped who I am as a designer.
"I learned the same from school as I did from all my travels"
Aside from school, I took the time to explore all corners of London and Europe. The first few weeks were spent taking the train during the weeks and exploring the English countryside. I spent time in Winchester with its cathedrals, the Peak District and all its beautiful views and to Dover where I saw the stark white cliffs. Then to take advantage of the cheap tickets, I booked fights to Iceland, Bari Italy, and Tenerife Spain to get away from the cold dark winters of London.
I learned the same from school as I did from all my travels. Not only and I more confident traveling in a new country, often times solo, I know I am able to flex my design capabilities regardless of locations and different ways of thought.
