Eye On Berlin | SU25 Faculty-Led

PRIORITY DEADLINE PASSED. Rolling Applications Still Being Accepted for this Program!

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ACADEMICS ELIGIBILITY COST NEXT STEPS

ACADEMICS

MAJORS OPEN TO

All majors

HOST DEPARTMENT

Illustration

FACULTY LEAD

Aaron Smith + Christine Fraguela

CREDIT

3 Units of ArtCenter Studio Credit

Dates Abroad: August 25 - September 11, 2025

SCHEDULE

Terms: Summer 2025

Dates Abroad: August 25 - September 11, 2025

Students will be enrolled in this course throughout the Summer 2025 term with travel between summer and fall terms. Both the course and travel components are mandatory.

ELIGIBILITY

1) Must have completed at least three terms of undergraduate study or two terms of graduate study prior to the Summer 2025 term

2) Must have at least one term remaining upon return to ArtCenter

3) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75

4) Must not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of the application

If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements you still may be able to apply.

Please contact studyaway@artcenter.edu.

COST

ARTCENTER TUITION

You will be responsible for paying ArtCenter tuition.

In addition to Art Center tuition for the course, the estimated fee for this program is $2,200. The Program Fee covers your housing for the trip (in single rooms), linens, towels, a communal kitchen, a transportation pass, several group meals, scheduled museum entries, exclusive studio visits, private lectures, travel / medical insurance, and 24 / 7 emergency support.

PROGRAM FEE

In addition to Art Center tuition for the course, the estimated fee for this program is $2,200. The Program Fee covers your housing for the trip (in single rooms), linens, towels, a communal kitchen, a transportation pass, several group meals, scheduled museum entries, exclusive studio visits, private lectures, travel / medical insurance, and 24 / 7 emergency support.

200 is due within one week of your acceptance notification to secure your place in the program and serves as a downpayment towards the total Program Fee. The remaining balance of the Program Fee will be applied to your student account along with tuition in Summer 2025.

The Program Deposit of

200 is due within one week of your acceptance notification to secure your place in the program and serves as a downpayment towards the total Program Fee. The remaining balance of the Program Fee will be applied to your student account along with tuition in Summer 2025.

Please note: Once you have indicated your commitment to the program and paid your Program Deposit, the remaining Program Fee will become due at that time. The full amount of the Program Fee will be owed even if you were to cancel your participation or withdraw from the program and/or course for any reason.

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT included in the program fee include: Passport ($135), Visa fees (if required), Round-trip airfare (estimated $1,000 for LAX-Berlin, Daily personal expenses, including food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone charges, etc. (anticipate $40-$50 / day. Varies with personal needs, spending and budget).

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT included in the program fee include: Passport ($135), Visa fees (if required), Round-trip airfare (estimated $1,000 for LAX-Berlin, Daily personal expenses, including food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone charges, etc. (anticipate $40-$50 / day. Varies with personal needs, spending and budget).

PAYING FOR STUDY AWAY

If you receive state/federal financial aid, you can contact the Financial Aid office to determine if participating in this program may qualify you for additional aid/loans.

Information on applying to scholarships available here:

https://www.artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away

NEXT STEPS

To start your application, click the Apply Now button below. If a button is not visible, the application is not yet available or the deadline has passed.

For more details on the application process, visit this page.

Location: Zoom

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Global Programs Interest Meeting: Wednesday, January 29 (Week 2) at 1pm or 7:30pm

Location: Zoom

Program-specific Info Session: TBD

Check our Inside Page for zoom info

Can’t make it to an info session?

Sign up for a 1-on-1 advising meeting with the Exchange and Study Away office to learn more about the program.

Decisions Announced: Wednesday, March 26 (Week 10)

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION TIMELINE

Applications Due: Wednesday, March 19 at 1pm (Week 9)

Decisions Announced: Wednesday, March 26 (Week 10)

Program Commitment + Deposit Due: Wednesday, April 2 at 1pm (Week 11)

EYE ON BERLIN

Berlin is a place that reverberates with the echoes of the past. The city has witnessed eras of incredible innovation and creativity. It has also been torn apart by war, and even divided in two. It’s buildings and neighborhoods bear the scars of these upheavals, yet new growth and prosperity have once again made the city a mecca for all of Europe and beyond.

Students will mine Berlin’s past through research, and create sight specific artistic interventions that seek to remind viewers of aspects Berlin’s concealed past.

Throughout the Summer term in Pasadena, the Illustration Department will partner with HMCT/Archetype Press to enable students to produce ephemera in multiples. These items will be brought with us to Berlin and presented in inventive contexts throughout the city during our 2.5-week visit.

In addition, during our stay in Berlin, the students will visit studios, institutions and museums dedicated to social engagement within Design Practice. 

SUMMER 2025 THEME

As we witness ongoing developments in contemporary art and design, it’s easy to construct the idea that modern culture continually abandons traditional concepts and aesthetics in favor of pure innovation. This view negates the fact that innovation often comes from a reinterpretation and utilization of humanities most primal, and powerful impulses.

Whether it be Fine Artists like Dubuffet or Picasso, or designers like Ray and Charles Eames, creatives have often found their most profound inspiration from so-called Folk, Outsider, or Visionary sources.

This year’s Eye on Berlin focuses on creating artwork which is in conversation with the regional, and cultural traditions found in Folk Art. Students will respond to Folk Art practices that are relevant to them, by creating artwork that projects that kinship in personal and contemporary ways.

Throughout the Summer term in Pasadena students will produce original artwork as well as prints, and products. These items will be brought with to Berlin and presented in a student curated exhibition and retail store in the heart of Berlin’s gallery district. During the rest of the 2.5 week stay in Berlin, the students will experience the life-changing resources of the city through guided visit to artist’s studios, educational institutions and museums and historical sights.

Check out details on past projects on Instagram and follow @neweyeberlin!

SCHOLARSHIPS

We want all students to know study abroad is accessible to them. Eligible students should apply for the ArtCenter Berlin Scholarship and Diversity and Access Travel Stipend Award (DATSA). See our Pay for Study Away page for more details on study away affordability.

SUMMER 2025 COURSE DESCRIPTION

• ILL-801D EYE on Berlin (3 credits Studio Elective)

  Eye on Berlin seeks to inspire students from Art Center to begin a purposeful, meaningful dialogue with the citizens of Berlin. Students will be encouraged to design and produce inclusive, positive image-based materials intended to bridge the widening cultural gaps between marginalized groups in both cities.

  Course Learning Outcomes

  Students in the Eye on Berlin: Echoes Berlin course will be able to

  • Identify cultural reference points,
  • Create Art/Printed Matter for public display,
  • Apply a verity of professional studio practices,
  • Apply advanced design principles, and
  • Gain an understanding of image-based letterpress applications.

  NOTE: The Illustration Department supports students doing study away and will work to approve a substitution whenever possible. Chat with your department advisor to find out how this course fits into your degree audit.

ABOUT THE ARTCENTER BERLIN STUDIO

Building on deep connections forged over several years with some of Europe’s leading creative agencies, educational institutions and civic leaders, ArtCenter established a year-round studio for students in 2013. The satellite studio hosts trans-disciplinary studio projects, giving ArtCenter students an immersive experience in a city known for reinvention. 

More than a study abroad program, the studio environment is designed to deliberately remove students from a traditional setting and move them into the atmosphere of a pop-up design office, organized like a professional creative agency. A network of high-caliber members of the local creative industries—communication and design agencies, artists and architects—support studio projects as dedicated mentors. 

The Berlin studio hosts programs for as short as 10 days and as long as 12 weeks. Nearly every major has an opportunity to study in Berlin and there are program types for every academic and budget need.

Additionally, the studio provides the college an opportunity to offer professional education workshops, networking receptions and program space for Europe-based alumni. 

Learn more about the ArtCenter Berlin Studio. Other Berlin Program options include the Berlin Fine Art program hosted by Fine Art or one of the ArtCenter Berlin Term full term studios.

HOUSING

Students will be housed at Creon Cospace, located at the popular Viktoriapark in Kreuzberg, just a few short stops from the ArtCenter Berlin Studio. Students will have their own single room, share a bathroom with one student and a kitchen with eight. There is lounge space and a terrace located in the building. The apartments are fully furnished and come with bedding a towels, along with basic kitchen supplies.

ABOUT BERLIN, GERMANY

Berlin is a vibrant and dynamic city that has long been a haven for designers and artists. Known for its rich history, eclectic architecture, and thriving creative scene, Berlin offers an inspiring environment for artistic expression and innovation. The city's diverse neighborhoods, such as Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Mitte, are renowned for their galleries, studios, and creative hubs.

Berlin’s low cost of living compared to other major European cities attracts a global community of creatives, fostering a spirit of experimentation and collaboration. The city's history of reinvention and its current status as a cultural melting pot make it a unique place where traditional and contemporary art forms blend seamlessly. With numerous art festivals, design exhibitions, and a strong network of creative professionals, Berlin is a vibrant canvas for those looking to push artistic boundaries and explore new ideas.

In essence, Berlin is not just a city of historical significance but also a fertile ground for creative exploration and innovation. Whether you’re interested in architecture, graphic design, fashion, or digital media, Berlin’s dynamic environment promises to inspire and challenge design students seeking to push the boundaries of their craft.