Switzerland is located in the very heart of Europe, close enough to easily visit sections of Germany to the north, France to the west and Italy to the south. For this reason, students in this course get an opportunity to explore not only Switzerland, but those areas of France, Germany and Italy that are a stone's throw away.

Stone, of course, is the material for much of the older architecture to be found, but given the work of Swiss pioneers -- from Paul Klee, Le Corbusier, Alberto Giacometti and Jan Tschichold to Emil Ruder, Armin Hofmann, Peter Zumthor, Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron and Mario Botta -- there is much to admire about the use of symbol and color in the region. Indeed, this is the very reason that Switzerland has been able to establish such acclaim in the international design world.

Led many times by Professor Werner (himself a native of Switzerland), the course focuses on guided research trips to significant nearby sites, including the Alsace in France, and the Veneto region of Northern Italy as well as the Frank Gehry-designed Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Delving far deeper than would a typical tourist, students observe and record characteristic qualities, histories, design languages and cultural attributes of the various locations in an illustrated travelogue, using a design medium of their own choosing. Travelogues are later reviewed and discussed during regular critiques, leading to the development of a mutually agreed-upon design project that serves the chosen site in a functional (e.g., promotional) way. The student's goal, ultimately, is to differentiate between historical art epochs as well as to creatively confront relevant historical, cultural and commercial design aspects of the original site in a final project. Professionals and students from any design and art-related background are welcome. If you are unsure about whether you qualify, contact Prof. Werner at fwerner@risd.edu.

Website: www.summerstudiesabroad.net

Travel Instructions

Tuition includes breakfasts, field trip lunches and dinners on several special occasions. Airfare and all other meals are not included.

Placement in this course is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Deposit Deadline: June 1, 2009

Credit Options: Undergraduate only