This course, based in the heart of Copenhagen, is a three-week immersion into the world of New Nordic Scandinavian design, with a focus on Denmark.
Please Note: RISD has announced the cancellation of RISD Global Summer Studies 2020. Read more.
Course Dates: Jun 15, 2020 — Jul 4, 2020
2.5 GPA required. Non-RISD participants see eligibility requirements below.
DIS Study Abroad
Includes tuition, accommodation, field trips, bicycle rental, some group meals, museum entrances, mandatory international travel health insurance.
The course will examine the influence of traditional craftsmanship and its impact on contemporary Danish design, which is known for being at the forefront of design and sustainability. We will review historical and social changes in Denmark and how these changes influenced an emerging design culture. Though the focus will be on furniture design, there will be seminars, lectures and field trips that explore the relationship to architecture, graphic arts, lighting, and textiles.
Multiple field trips are planned to manufacturers such as PP Mobler, Fritz Hansen, Muuto and Louis Poulsen, as well as a day trip to IKEA’s headquarters in Sweden. There will be visits by Danish designers as well as visits to local design studios.
Additional cultural visits are included such as the Danish Design Museum, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and the Danish Design School.
The primary objectives of this course are:
By experiencing the role of design in Danish society, you will develop a better understanding of the potential of your own design practice. Through field trips to manufacturing companies specializing in the world renowned design products, with visits with Scandinavian designers and craft people you will gain an understanding of how products are realized and produced.
Assignments include:
To participate in RISD Global Summer Studies, all students are required to stay in RISD- provided housing for the duration of the course. Students will be hosted in the DIS facilities in Copenhagen. Dorms are double occupancy with shared bathrooms, kitchens and laundry. Copenhagen is bicycle-friendly and each student is provided with one for the entire duration of the course.
My trip with RISD Global to Copenhagen, Denmark provided me with an entirely new understanding of sustainability in design. This knowledge renewed my hopes and ambitions of designing for a cleaner, more efficient world in which nothing is wasted.
Julian O’Donnell (ID 22) GSS19 DENMARK: Design Seminar + Workshop
As a furniture major student and a rising sophomore, I visited a lot of furniture studios and companies that could be possible career examples [for me]. I learned a lot about furniture history as well [as] the opportunity to see the real objects in front of me.
Sandra He (FD 22) GSS19 DENMARK: Design Seminar + Workshop
It is important to understand a different culture and immerse ourselves in it. Especially in design, learning a country's perspective and approach towards design broadens our vision, opens new ideas, promotes cultural sharing and above all unleashes the unseen or unknown path.
Nidhi Nimodia (MIT Institute of Design, Pune, BFA 22) GSS19 DENMARK: Design Seminar + Workshop
All RISD Global Summer Studies Denmark students will be accommodated for the duration of the travel course in DIS dorms in Copenhagen. DIS is a non-profit study abroad foundation established in Denmark in 1959, with locations in Copenhagen and Stockholm. Learn more about DIS on disabroad.org
If your current cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, you are eligible for registration. If your current cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, you must first contact the Registrar at registrar@risd.edu to seek exception to this academic policy.
If you are a college student currently enrolled in another art/design college or institution around the world, or a professional practicing in the field, you are eligible for registration. We will collect a recommendation/support form from your institution/workplace.
In order to register for RISD Global summer studies, you are expected to have a high level of English (speech, writing, and comprehension) as all coursework and critique is delivered in English.
Global Summer Studies are three weeks long and take place in June/July, and you are required to attend all program activities scheduled during the travel course. RISD Global Summer Studies comply with RISD class attendance policy. In case of unexcused or multiple absences, you may be removed from the course, given a grade of “W" (withdrawal) or a grade of “F” (fail).
Requesting to withdraw from a RISD off-campus global learning program, including RISD Global Summer Studies, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy. It is not possible for a student to drop a RISD Global Summer Studies travel course via the standard Add/Drop process after it has commenced. In the case of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances (and only after students have spoken with the faculty lead and RISD Global for approval to withdraw from the program), students should be aware that no refund will be issued.
In order to reserve a seat, a non-refundable deposit of $1,500 is required at time of application submittal. Students will have 30 days from the date of their deposit to submit full payment. Students that fail to make full payment by their deadline will forfeit their $1,500 deposit and their seat in the course. New application submissions starting April 1 are not eligible to make a deposit and must make full payment by April 12, 2020.
All RISD students enrolled in RISD and other full degree schools/universities are required to remain in good academic standing in order to participate in Global Summer Studies. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all RISD students. Failure to remain in good academic standing can lead to removal from the course, either before or during the course.
In cases where summer travel courses and studios do not reach full capacity, the course may be cancelled after the last day of registration. As such, all students are advised not to purchase flights for participation in Global Summer Studies courses until the course is confirmed to run starting April 13, 2020.
For summer 2020, RISD Global planned to offer 7 creative and culturally immersive art and design off campus courses: 3 at the RISD site in Rome, as well as 4 in other diverse locations around Europe and Asia.
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Have questions? The RISD Global team is available to meet for a 1:1 advising session. We can give you more information about your study options, help you figure out which program makes sense for you, and assist you with the application process.
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