Design Writing and Research Online Intensive

As design's social and environmental implications become more profound, it is more important than ever to write about design engagingly and intelligently.

The Design Research, Writing and Criticism Department at the School of Visual Arts is pleased to offer an online writing summer intensive aimed at those who would like to refine their skills as thinkers, researchers and storytellers. For practicing designers, this is a chance to examine the profession and its impact through writing and publishing. Clear thinking, deep research and engaging expression are vital skills in a contemporary designer's tool kit. For creative professionals, this program offers methods and insights for understanding and writing compellingly about images, objects and spaces.

A range of writing genres and imaginative approaches will be introduced. Working individually and in small groups, participants will experiment with essential techniques such as interviewing, archive research, close observation, analysis and critique, and then to develop and finesse several projects. In addition to personal work, the team will collaboratively produce and distribute a publication.

Through a robust schedule of seminars, lectures and virtual field trips, the intensive offers students and working professionals a unique opportunity to study with a faculty composed of leading writers and editors, and engage in conversation with prominent designers, architects and urban planners.

By the end of the program, participants will have completed several pieces of writing, formulated ideas for stories, and garnered a robust set of tools and approaches for writing authoritatively and imaginatively about design. Faculty and lecturers have included Molly Heintz, Steven Heller, Karrie Jacobs, Jennifer Kabat, Adam Harrison Levy, Robin Pogrebin, Craig Taylor, Rob Walker and Mimi Zieger. Guest speakers and interviewees have included Nathan Adkisson of Local Projects, Interboro Partners, David van der Leer of DVDL Design Decisions, curator Ellen Lupton, Eddie Opara and Natasha Jen of Pentagram, photographer Chris Payne, Quilian Riano, and Damon Rich of HECTOR Designs.

For further information or questions regarding SVA's Artist Residency Programs, email residency@sva.edu.

SVA’s Artist Residency programs are hosted by the Division of Continuing Education.

For additional courses and workshops please visit https://sva.edu/academics/continuing-education