Spend five days in Venice, two days in Lucca, followed by seven days in Florence, Italy.
The objective of this course is to experience and study Italian historic and contemporary architecture and design, gain an in-depth understanding of its concepts and sensibilities, and to explore how these can be reinterpreted and applied to contemporary design today.
We will visit essential historic and modern sites, learn about their role in history, sketch and analyze them, and evaluate how time-tested principles, precedents and approaches from the past and present have inspired modern design in those cities. Historic sites in Italy have been preserved, and in some cases transformed with modern uses, and remain a vital part of the contemporary Italian city. The coursework product is a sketch portfolio and paper on a topic related to our studies.
Includes a moderate activity level with brisk walking within the cities and sites visited.
Tuition includes: Van transfers to Lucca and Florence; lodging in Venice, Lucca and Florence; Continental breakfast at Venice, Lucca and Florence lodgings; welcome and farewell group lunches dinners as noted for specific days; admission to all group tour sites; a local vaporetto pass in Venice and 3-day Firenze Card for admissions in Florence.
Tuition does not include: Participants pay their own airfare, airport transfers after the class finishes, and local transportation within cities beyond the provided passes. Except where noted as Welcome, Farewell or Group meals in the schedule, other meals are on an independent basis (please note that reasonable food selections are easy to find). Students will also bring their own art supplies.
Eligibility: The course is suitable for students interested in Interior Design or others who have completed a minimum of one year in any design or fine arts major, whether from SVA or another college. A background in Interior Design is not a requirement. Participants work at their own level using hand sketching skills using a variety of media.
Applicants should submit an application that includes a description of what they seek to gain from the course. Students not currently studying Interior Design may include a portfolio that includes the applicant's drawing samples. Students who successfully complete the course will be given 3 SVA art history elective credits.