Grazie Italia… We’ll be back!

Product design students recently returned from an epic study trip to Italy and we thought we’d share a few moments with you.

Arriving in the Italian style capital, you can’t fail to be impressed by Milan.

Day 1 started with a trip to the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci”… The Science Museum to the likes of me and you!   This is where I caught this lovely snap of our students in the Da Vinci Gallery which had intricate models of the great man’s many inventions.   The Science museum is on my must see list.

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We then headed to the city centre for lunch and the Duomo di Milano (the cathedral).   What a building!

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It’s difficult to believe that they started building it in 1386 and only finished construction in 1965!… and now they are having to renovate the old bits! :-/

Having been awestruck by the interior, many of us climbed the all too many steps to the roof.   Another photo opportunity amongst the spires of white and pale pastel marble.   You can see the mix of old and new.   The views were spectacular.

And afterwards, a walk around the designer fashion shops in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II followed by a beer (or two) in the city centre overlooking the Duomo.   And yes…, those are 1 litre glasses (just don’t ask the price!)

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Day 2 and we headed south to the Ferrari factory and museum.

We started the day with an escorted tour of the Ferrari test track and factory before visiting the museum.

The whole experience was fascinating from some of Ferrari’s classic racing cars to the stunning La Ferrari and of course, a Ferrari simulator!   The students took a group Selfie but I quite like my perspective on it.

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After Ferrari, we spent the evening in Bologna, a walk around the old town piazzas followed by some great, authentic Italian food.   We took over the entire restaurant!

Day 3 saw us head for the Museo Ferruccio Lamborghini.

Museum director, Fabio Lamborghini, nephew of Ferruccio, gave us a personal tour of the museum.

Fabio had some great anecdotes about his uncle.   Our thanks to Fabio for bringing the entire Lamborghini story so vividly and passionately to life.

From tractors, to air conditioning, the “Popemobile” to the very beautiful Miura we heard all about the ground breaking innovations and the “genius of Ferruccio”

 

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It was quite a road trip.   An unforgettable and inspirational experience for all.

I am reminded that Enzo Ferarri once said “If you can dream it, you can do it”

At Teesside, we believe that too….

Ad ‘Vantage’ Teesside

Tuesday night saw the successful launch of Creative Teesside 2014. The show celebrates the hard work and dedication of final year students in the School of Arts & Media. This year’s show was opened by Product Design Alumni Marek Reichman, Design Director Aston Martin. Marek, pictured with two of his own designs outside the exhibition, was truly impressed with the work on display and commended all the students on their efforts and achievement. The students and graduates appreciated the opportunity to speak to an inspirational Teesside graduate, designer and industry leader.

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Ich bin ein Berliner…

Last week 1st and 2nd year Product Design students could be found in the German capital, Berlin. The main part of the study visit was a day trip to the truly wonderful VW Autostadt in Wolfsburg, probably the world’s first automobile theme park, with its beautifully designed pavilions and of course the cars.

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Other visits included the Reichstag, with the large glass dome designed by British Architect Norman Foster, the Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design, with its extensive collection art pieces relating to one of the most influential art and design schools of the 20th century and the magnificent 368m tall Fernsehturm Tower with its incredible views of the whole city.

DSCF0437 DSCF0486 P1100323 Overall it was an excellent few days with lots to see and do. Watch out for more posts from the trip.P1100460

New Designers Showreel 2013

The above showreel showcases the student work that was on display at this year’s New Designers Exhibition in London.  The exhibiton was a great opportunity for our students to get their work in front of 100’s of professionals from the design and manufacturing industries. A record breaking 18,265 visitors came along to see the exhibition  – the highest footfall in it’s 28 year history.