The first study trip of the CAS Design Cultures led to Hong Kong and Shenzhen. A group of ten people took part in the study trip organized and coordinated by the leading team of Stefano Vannotti, Danica Zeier and Nina Bruderer. Over the course of the week, the participants immersed into different levels and aspects of the wide ranging (design) cultures in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. At the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), participants took part in two workshops on leadership and design thinking. They enjoyed an active exchange with local actors and learned about different cultural leadership facets in improvised leadership situations. Throughout a Design Thinking Sprint of three hours, ideas for new educational formats in a dynamic and hyper-fluid world were developed.
The weekly programme comprised several insights into Hong Kong’s urban transformation through local community projects (Prof. Hendrik Tieben and Prof. Alvin Yip), a visit to Makerbay in Tun Chung, a focus day on art and culture at Art Space Casphalt and the new museum hotspot Tai Kwun, framed by highly interesting remarks by curator Tobias Berger and artist Wendy Wo.
Furthermore, through a scheduled day trip to Shenzhen the study group gained insights into the historical, urban and political development of the megametropolis. In a seminar at the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Prof. Xiangmin Guo presented background information on the Chinese Belt & Road Initiative and the trading area around the Pearl River Delta.
Another day was especially dedicated to strategic design and the visit of the two design agencies Eightpartnership and Prophet. On the last day of the course, Alex Tunik of Transpacific Far East Ltd. held an interesting talk on the secrets of China’s manufacture. The final event was an excursion organized by the participants themselves to Cheng Chau, a wonderful island just outside Hong Kong.
The study trip was a great success. Despite a very tight schedule, the participants managed to immerse into diverse aspects and cultures of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
A workshop on Intercultural Competence within the framework of the Winter School and a second study trip to Boston and Guatemala in April 2019 (both events can be attended separately), are the next modules concerning the CAS program on Design Cultures.