Artist Residency Programs
COURSE FINDER


CREDIT: JAMES EMMERMAN
Design Writing and Research
June 2 - 13 2025
$1950
Location
136 West 21st Street
Faculty
Karrie Jacobs,
Architecture writer and critic
Adam Harrison Levy,
Documentary producer and director, interviewer
Rob Walker,
Journalist
Leital Molad,
Producer; creative executive; head of podcasts, WaitWhat
Anne Elizabeth Moore,
Writer, cultural critic
Eric Schwartau,
Director of operations, MA Design Research, Writing and Criticism Department, School of Visual Arts
As design's social and environmental implications become more profound, it is more important than ever to write about design engagingly and intelligently.
The Design Research, Writing and Criticism Department at the School of Visual Arts is pleased to offer a summer intensive aimed at those who would like to refine their skills as thinkers, researchers and storytellers. For practicing designers, this is a chance to examine the profession and its impact through writing and publishing. Clear thinking, deep research and engaging expression are vital skills in a contemporary designer's tool kit. For creative professionals, this program offers methods and insights for understanding and writing compellingly about images, objects and spaces.
A range of writing genres and imaginative approaches will be introduced. Working individually and in small groups, participants will experiment with essential techniques such as interviewing, archive research, close observation, analysis and critique, and then to develop and finesse several projects. Through a robust schedule of seminars, lectures and studio visits, the intensive offers students and working professionals a unique opportunity to study with a faculty composed of leading writers and editors, and engage in conversation with prominent designers, architects and urban planners.
By the end of the program, participants will have completed several pieces of writing, formulated ideas for stories, and garnered a robust set of tools and approaches for writing authoritatively and imaginatively about design.
Faculty and lecturers have included Molly Heintz, Steven Heller, Karrie Jacobs, Jennifer Kabat, Adam Harrison Levy, Robin Pogrebin, Craig Taylor, Rob Walker and Mimi Zieger. Guest speakers and studio visits have included Nathan Adkisson, Mike Eckhaus, Interboro Partners, Natasha Jen, Prem Krishnamurthy, Jiminez Lai, David van der Leer, Ellen Lupton, Maha Maamoun, Kate Noll, Eddie Opara, Chris Payne, Quilian Riano, Damon Rich, Adam Rigg, Julio Torres, Craig Wilkins, John Wilson and Ala Younis.
Prerequisite: Participants must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree.
NOTE: Samples of published or unpublished writing (such as essays, blog posts or articles) about design, architecture or related subjects are required for review and acceptance to this program. This residency is graded on a pass/fail system. A Pass (P) will be awarded for its successful completion. This course is held on campus at SVA.
The Design Research, Writing and Criticism Department at the School of Visual Arts is pleased to offer a summer intensive aimed at those who would like to refine their skills as thinkers, researchers and storytellers. For practicing designers, this is a chance to examine the profession and its impact through writing and publishing. Clear thinking, deep research and engaging expression are vital skills in a contemporary designer's tool kit. For creative professionals, this program offers methods and insights for understanding and writing compellingly about images, objects and spaces.
A range of writing genres and imaginative approaches will be introduced. Working individually and in small groups, participants will experiment with essential techniques such as interviewing, archive research, close observation, analysis and critique, and then to develop and finesse several projects. Through a robust schedule of seminars, lectures and studio visits, the intensive offers students and working professionals a unique opportunity to study with a faculty composed of leading writers and editors, and engage in conversation with prominent designers, architects and urban planners.
By the end of the program, participants will have completed several pieces of writing, formulated ideas for stories, and garnered a robust set of tools and approaches for writing authoritatively and imaginatively about design.
Faculty and lecturers have included Molly Heintz, Steven Heller, Karrie Jacobs, Jennifer Kabat, Adam Harrison Levy, Robin Pogrebin, Craig Taylor, Rob Walker and Mimi Zieger. Guest speakers and studio visits have included Nathan Adkisson, Mike Eckhaus, Interboro Partners, Natasha Jen, Prem Krishnamurthy, Jiminez Lai, David van der Leer, Ellen Lupton, Maha Maamoun, Kate Noll, Eddie Opara, Chris Payne, Quilian Riano, Damon Rich, Adam Rigg, Julio Torres, Craig Wilkins, John Wilson and Ala Younis.
Prerequisite: Participants must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree.
NOTE: Samples of published or unpublished writing (such as essays, blog posts or articles) about design, architecture or related subjects are required for review and acceptance to this program. This residency is graded on a pass/fail system. A Pass (P) will be awarded for its successful completion. This course is held on campus at SVA.
Design Writing and Research Summer Residency
The Design Research, Writing and Criticism Department at the School of Visual Arts is pleased to offer a design writing summer intensive aimed at those who would like to refine their skills as thinkers, researchers and storytellers.