Developing raw talent
Design surrounds us on a daily basis, whether in a powerful ad campaign, the pen we hold, the building we reside in, or the car we drive. Sometimes we take it for granted, never truly appreciating the efforts of some of the world’s renowned designers. However, to make a mark in today’s world, you need to be armed with a degree. So here is a listing of some of the best design schools around the globe.
University of the Arts - Central Saint Martins, London
Having earned its reputation for pushing the envelope in design and the arts, Central Saint Martins tops the list of the best design schools around the world. Alumni of this highly regarded university include designers at Dior and Chloé and theatrical producers behind Phantom of the Opera. It provides specialist education in various fields such as film, fashion and textiles, video and photography, theatre and graphic design to name a few.
HYPERLINK "http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk" www.csm.arts.ac.uk
University of Southern California, California
Although it is not a university solely dedicated to the arts, the University of Southern California has reputable schools dedicated to cinema, fine arts, architecture and theatre within its realm of expertise. Founded in 1880, it opened its doors to just 53 students. Today USC enrols more international students than any other US university. The university’s Middle Eastern alumni include Sari El Khazen, the Lebanese architect behind projects such as Sky Bar in Beirut.
HYPERLINK "http://www.usc.edu" www.usc.edu
Parsons, New York (with an academy in Paris)
Since it opened in 1896, Parsons has been a leading design school. It was formerly known as Chase School, after its founder William Merritt Chase, who pioneered the search for a freer and more dramatic expression of art. Frank Alvah Parsons later joined Chase in 1904, and it was only after his death that the school’s name was changed. Today, the school strongly promotes the development of technological skills, and offers a wide array of areas of study, whether in architecture, broadcast design, fashion design amongst many others.
HYPERLINK "http://www.parsons.edu" www.parsons.edu
Domus Academy, Milan
Only recently founded in 1982, Domus Academy first focused on Italian and fashion design. Nowadays it has made its mark with its post-graduate training and research laboratory focused on industrial design. Amongst the unique programmes on offer are car design and accessories design. It is interesting to note that all degrees at the Domus Academy have strategic management thinking courses and professional internship training incorporated into them. Amongst its top employers are 3M, Abercrombie & Fitch and Nike.
HYPERLINK "http://www.domusacademy.com" www.domusacademy.com
École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle - Les Ateliers, Paris ENSCI was the first institution of its kind, offering an emphasis is industrial design. It is a school that is in sync with the ever-changing demands of today’s world, collaborating with some of the world’s major companies, to offer courses in management to all its design students. Top employers of ENSCI include Philippe Starck, L’Oreal and Renault. Some of the known alumni include industrial designers Jean Marie Massaud and Matali Crasset.
HYPERLINK "http://www.ensci.com" www.ensci.com
Muasashino Art University, Tokyo
Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, near the Tamagawa Josui canal and a forest, Muasashino Art University operates. Founded in 1929, it has become a globally renowned art and design university, attracting hundreds of international students to its many majors. The degree programmes offered Japanese painting, visual communication design, sculpture and architecture to name a few.
HYPERLINK "http://musabi.ac.jp" http://musabi.ac.jp
Lebanese American University, Beirut
The Lebanese American University has grown since its founding in 1927, attracting thousands of new students on an annual basis. Originally an all women’s college, it later expanded its reach by allowing men as well. It is now divided into two campuses, one in Beirut, the other in Byblos, offering some of the most challenging design programmes. From graphic design, interior architecture to a degree in fine arts, students are given a global perspective in the classroom, taught by some of the best designers of today.
HYPERLINK "http://www.lau.edu.lb" www.lau.edu.lb
Dar Al Hekma, Jeddah
Making its mark in Saudi Arabia, is Dar Al Hekma college. It first opened its doors to the women of Saudi Arabia in 1999. Since, it has worked towards national accreditation, and works closely with the Middle States Association in the US, working towards international accreditation. Although it is not a college dedicated solely to the arts, it does offer extensive programmes of emphasis in interior design and graphic design.
HYPERLINK "http://www.daralhekma.edu.sa" www.daralhekma.edu.sa
