Sunway University Students Experience an Alternative to Classroom Learning

Eight students from Sunway University’s Department of Art and Design (DAD) recently went on an exciting alternative classroom-based learning 10-day study trip to Taiwan. The trip, led by Augustine Wong, Head of the Department of Art and Design, was planned to provide students an insight into the creative design industry across Taiwan and to provide the students with a broader view of design in preparation for their final graduation show. In preparing for the trip, the students who were mainly from the Interior Design programme were required to conduct a preliminary research in obtaining background information on the places they were to visit.

First stop Taipei, to visit the Young Designers’ Exhibition (YODEX), one of the region’s biggest events representing the entire design sector, featuring innovative designs by young design talents from various design sectors of industrial design, architecture design, media and communication design, interior design, visual communication design and much more. There, the Sunway University students were exposed to a wide range of ideas and concepts in the design industry today.

Sunway University’s DAD students with Augustine Wong (in white shirt) at YODEX 2014

While staying ahead of the competition in the design industry is important, students are encouraged to also learn about its history and evolution to what it is today. At the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the students had the chance to discover interdisciplinary development trends in today’s creative industries. Positioned as the “Creative Hub of Taipei”, the park aims to nurture creative talents and energy through various artistic, cultural and creative events.

The trip also offered the Sunway University students an opportunity to visit four universities across Taiwan; China University of Technology (CUTe), Taipei and Hsinchu; Feng Chia University, Taichung; Shu-Te University, Kaohsiung and Kun Shan University in Tainan. As part of their visit, students attended a series of lectures and workshops planned for them by the universities. They also were given a chance to participate in critique and sharing sessions with the students and academics of the universities.

For Lau Hui Ci, final year student pursuing his Diploma in Interior Design, the trip was a valuable learning experience. On the visits to the universities, he said “They gave us a chance to attend their classes, communicate and share ideas. We could actually feel how effectively the lecturers there communicate with students.”

Field trips are part and parcel of Sunway University’s design programmes, providing students educational experiences away from their normal daily environment and at the same time aid in their development of design solutions.

“The study tour provided ample opportunities for all of us to learn, feel and experience new ideas and concepts. We gained a deeper understanding about the different design industries, this helped provide us insights to choosing our own majors in the coming academic year,” Lau added.