UMEÅ UNIVERSITY | FA/SP EXCHANGE
ARTCENTER APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, September 15 (Week 2) at 1pm
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Umeå’s University’s mission is to provide future designers the best possible start of a lifelong professional and personal career. Their design approach involves putting people first from design methodology to aesthetics, encouraging teamwork while also focusing on each individual student, and working together to create a social and supportive university environment. It is an honor to be nominated to exchange here.
ArtCenter’s exchange agreement is with two schools within the university. The first is the Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, a prominent institution within Umeå University, known for its focus on contemporary art and innovative approaches to art education. The academy is dedicated to contemporary art and provides a platform for students to engage with current trends and practices. This focus is reflected in its curriculum and exhibitions. The academy boasts diverse and experienced faculty and promotes an interdisciplinary approach to art education, encouraging students to explore connections between different mediums and artistic practices.
The Umeå Institute of Design (UID) is a highly regarded design school known for its innovative approach to design education and research. This small but mighty program consistently ranks among the top design schools in global rankings. It is renowned for producing highly skilled designers who make significant contributions to the field. The institute is committed to forward-thinking design practices, exploring emerging technologies and addressing contemporary challenges through design. This includes research on smart technologies, sustainable solutions, and innovative user experiences.
COURSE INFORMATION
Exchange students at the Academy of Fine Art take one assigned course package. Exchange students at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering have to choose fixed course packages in in the application process . They can select their first, second and third choice. During the admission process the package will be confirmed. After that no changes can be made.
UMEA ACADEMY OF FINE ART COURSE PACKAGE
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Artistic Practice (30 ECTS/15 Credits)
The exchange term provides the student with both theoretical perspectives and individual artistic practice. During the semester focus is on artistic development in an international and contemporary perspective. Students are encouraged to use the well-equipped workshops for wood, metal, plaster, bronze, graphics, photo, video or computer-based work. Apart from workshops, there are a number of project rooms that can be booked when working space outside of your studio.
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, tutorials in the workshops and studio visits. Every semester there are several guest teachers visiting the school contributing to the education. They also offer a number of open workshops where all students are welcome to participate.Courses in course package
Art history and theory from DADA to now, B, 7.5 ECTS credits
Artistic practice, B, 22.5 ECTS credits
UMEA INSTITUTE OF DESIGN COURSES
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Industrial Design, Transportation
The exchange semester at Transportation Design Program gives the student basic competence to work with design and development of different types of vehicles.
Students entering must have a basic understanding of designer tools together with a competent level of sketching skill. They will develop their creative thinking process with tutoring support focused on trying to solve future transportation problems. Students will explore how to design and develop vehicles with a growing awareness of the environmental issues.
The students are encouraged to build realistic vehicle concepts around future lifestyles. Equally, these designs must be attractive and desirable. The essence of the student work will be about form and function in balance with the human needs at the center of their design development process.
5ID233 Form in Transportation design 7,5 ECTS credits The course provides a platform for advanced studies in the field of form theory in connection to transportation design.
Module 1: Experimentations with form (4,5 ECTS credits)
Module 2: Creative project work (3 ECTS credits)5ID212 Vehicle Design Analysis ECTS 7,5 credits The course provides theoretical and practical knowledge about the aspects that influence form in vehicle design. The content is covered in two modules:
Module 1: Vehicle Design Theory (1,5 ECTS credits).
Module 2: Clay Modelling (6 ECTS credits)5ID228 Project 2: Strategic Design 15 ECTS credits The course is structured in 2 modules, providing knowledge and practice on brand identity and strategic design.
Module 1: Research, Brand and Strategy 4,5 ECTS credits
Module 2: Creative Project Work 10,5 ECTS creditsIn response to the students own design brief, ideation phase begins and creative tools are used to generate a number of possible design proposals that will fulfill the aspired attributes of the vechicle concept. These alternatives are discussed and one is selected for further refinement in the process. Regular tutoring sessions and seminars support the students learning during this section.
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Industrial Design, Interaction (30ECTS/15 Credits)
The exchange semester at Interaction Design Programme deals with the relation between people and Information Technology with particular focus on the interaction between product and user. We see the discipline of Interaction Design as the ability to design both the cognitive and physical interface and integrate them into a successful whole. Our aim is to enable designers to create sustainable, comprehensible and pleasurable information based products, services and environments.
5ID226 Form Workshop (7,5 ECTS Credits) The course contains specialized studies within the field of form theory, sound and product interaction.
1. Experiment with sound, imagery and interaction 3 ECTS credits
2. Product Analysis and project work 4,5 ECTS credits5ID193 Communication Design for co-creation (7,5 ECTS Credits) The purpose with this course is to explore alternative ways, through traditional and new media, to visualize and communicate information with focus on Service Design and to provide training in running co-creative design processes together with users and stakeholders.
5ID079 Project 2: General Product (15 ECTS credit)
The overall aim is to provide students with practical experience in designing a product or a system that caters to a broad user group. The project provides a platform to explore techniques and methods in the context of design ethnography and participatory design. The project allows students to discover and think critically about design ethnography and participatory design through a combination of practical experience and the experience of others.1. Design Ethnographic Methods, 5 ECTS credits
2. Participation design and concept study, 5 ECTS credits
3. Design development and presentation, 5 ECTS credits -
Industrial Design, Advanced Product (30ECTS/15 credits)
The exchange semester provides the students with professional tools, methods and a creative mindset to work with the development and design of the best possible solution for a given problem or identified design opportunity. The aim is at identifying and defining the problem before the conceptualization phase, with emphasis on problem identification and definition as the basic starting point in the design process
Studies are project-based and often carried out in collaboration with industrial partners, research units or local authorities. Most projects concern problems that the students identify themselves, problems that have not already been solved countless times by others. This implies less emphasis on trendy, fashionable consumer products and more on professional products for qualified users. This includes product areas such as the medico-technical industry, design for the disabled, professional tools and equipment, public services and equipment and a variety of product applications for emerging technologies.5ID208 Sound in Industrial Design (7,5 ECTS credits)
The course contains specialised studies within the field of creating and designing sound in combination with form studies and product interaction and consists of the following sections:MODULE 1: Experiment with sound, imagery and interaction 3 ECTS credits
MODULE 2: Project work 4.5 ECTS credits5ID209 Product Analysis and Construction (7,5 ECTS credits) This course introduces to the complexities of product development with a focus on construction, material selections and production techniques. The course also includes a course in parametric modelling and Rapid Prototyping. The course consists of the three following sections:
MODULE 1: Parametric modelling 1.5 ECTS credits
MODULE 2: Design assignment 1.5 ECTS credits
MODULE 3: Product analysis 4.5 ECTS credits5ID210 Project 2: Strategic Product Design (15 ECTS credits) The course includes advanced studies in the field of strategic design, brand identity and strategic product development. The course is often carried out in collaboration with predetermined company or brand and consists of the following phases:
MODULE 1: Strategic design seminar 4.5 ECTS credits MODULE 2: Strategic design project 10.5 ECTS credits
Note: Exchange Programs first require an application through the Study Away Application Portal by March 1 for fall and September 15 for spring. Once you are nominated by your department, a second application to the university must be submitted. It is an honor to be nominated, so if you move forward with your application to the university, please know you are committing to study away!
ABOUT UMEÅ, SWEDEN:
International students from 137 universities across the globe responded to the International Student Barometer (ISB) survey during the autumn semester 2023. Umeå University placed first of all participating universities in the main categories of living, support, and overall satisfaction.
Umeå is a vibrant city located in northern Sweden, known for its rich cultural scene and strong academic presence. As one of Sweden's largest cities, Umeå is home to Umeå University, a prominent institution renowned for its research and educational programs. The city is celebrated for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, and it boasts a lively cultural environment with numerous festivals, museums, and art galleries.
Umeå is also recognized for its beautiful natural surroundings, including lush forests, serene lakes, and proximity to the Arctic Circle. This blend of academic excellence, cultural richness, and scenic beauty makes Umeå a dynamic and appealing place to live, study, and explore. Today, it is a center of education and technical and medical research in Sweden and was elected the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Check out Visit Umea for an idea of all this city has to offer.
STUDENT HOUSING AT UMEA
The University offers student housing to exchange students, and tuition fee-paying students studying a full-degree program that are citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. For more information, check out this link.
The university can offer students furnished single-occupancy rooms in student “corridors.” Their housing stock consists of approximately 500 rooms in different student housing areas off-campus, but within walking distance of the campus. Both Swedish and international students live in the student “corridors.” Read more about the rooms and what is included.