“Design Futures: Shared Vision” 2024 International Summer Program Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

The 2024 International Summer Program at the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, is themed "Design Futures: Shared Vision." Leveraging the academy's strengths in cultivating interdisciplinary innovative talents, the program focuses on three main areas: New Space, New Cities, and New Tourism. It aims to explore new models and dynamics in future spaces and environments, future mobility and lifestyles, future products and services, future health and well-being, future cultural tourism and creativity, and future art and fashion. The program seeks to develop innovative solutions by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, aerospace, the internet, mobile technology, wearable devices, open-source hardware, and software. This event invites young students from all over the world to participate. The selected students will be invited to China for a two-week summer seminar, where they will form teams and turn their ideas into solutions.During the workshop, students will work in teams under the guidance of Tsinghua University and international mentors to refine their visions and create tangible prototypes. Additionally, experts in technology, market, and entrepreneurship will provide skill training and specialized lectures to help teams continuously iterate and improve their projects. Ultimately, each team will complete a project presentation and pitch. Hosted by: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University Organized by: Art and Technology Innovation Base (ATI), Tsinghua University Contact Person: International Summer Program Working Group, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University Contact Email: ljw23@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn


Program Schedule

The Summer Program lasts for two weeks, from August 17 to August 31, with a maximum of 50 participants. Location: Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, and the locations of international summer program partners.

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to international students at the undergraduate level and above. We welcome applicants who meet the following requirements: 1.Academic background covering design and interdisciplinary innovation-related majors. 2.Strong interest in innovative design and cutting-edge technology, with good teamwork and cross-cultural communication skills. 3.Fluent in English and able to use English as the working language. 4.Foreign students at undergraduate level or above.

Program Theme

1.New Space: Future Spaces and Environments, Future Mobility and Living. 2.New Cities: Future Products and Services, Future Health and Well-being. 3.New Tourism: Future Cultural Tourism and Creativity, Future Art and Fashion.

Application Process

1. Registration Method: Applicants must submit their information through the registration portal on the host organization's website（ http://www.ati-tsinghua.com.cn/en/summerschool.html ）.  2. Submission materials: Applicant needs to submit their personal resume and portfolio, and send them to the email designated by the organizer via email.  3. Selection Notification: After comprehensive evaluation by experts, 30-50 people will be selected to be shortlisted for this summer school. 4. Travel Arrangements: Selected student teams will receive an invitation letter from Tsinghua University and must arrange their own visas and round-trip airfare. They are required to arrive at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, for registration by August 17.

Important dates

Proposal submission deadline: July 10, 2024 Final list of selected participants announced: July 20, 2024

Program Schedule
Curriculum

Opening Ceremony and Ice-breaking Activities: Team-building activities to help students establish collaborative relationships. Design Thinking Workshop: Invite experts to teach design thinking methods and guide innovative project practices. Futures Thinking and Design Foresight: Invite futurists and design foresight experts to inspire students' future-oriented thinking. Cutting-edge AI Theory Lectures: Introduce the latest developments and applications of artificial intelligence technology to stimulate innovative ideas. Intelligent Hardware and Technology Frontiers: Share advancements and applications in cutting-edge technology, guiding the integration of technology into innovative designs. Company Visit: Visit renowned enterprises to understand industry trends and practical cases, gaining insights into real-world problems. Team Project Practice: Under the guidance of mentors, utilize the innovation and entrepreneurship platform and expert resources to develop innovative solutions. Lean Startup (business plan): Guide students in transforming creative ideas into business models, using startup methodologies for iterative validation. Final Presentation and Roadshow: Present the project's innovative highlights, feasibility, and market potential in a business roadshow format, followed by a defense and evaluation.

Faculty Team

Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University and Partner Departments Provide courses in design, creative industries, computer science, and innovation and entrepreneurship. Help students expand their innovative thinking and master cutting-edge design concepts and technologies. International Design Education and Technology Institutions Introduce trends in future design and applications of AI in the design field. Expand students’ international perspectives and understanding of the global design ecosystem. Innovation Incubators and Entrepreneurship Mentors Guide students in transforming creative ideas into viable business models. Impart practical entrepreneurial experience to assist in project implementation. Renowned Industry Designers, Entrepreneurs, and Product Managers Share practical experiences and case studies from the industry. Provide hands-on guidance and link students to industry resources.

Financial Issue

All participating teams are responsible for their own international travel, visa fees, insurance, personal expenses, and costs for activities outside the summer school program. The host organization will provide the following support: 1.Tuition fee waivers for teams invited to participate in the summer school. 2.A fixed amount of personal accommodation subsidy and local transportation allowance. 3.Support for working conditions, including the use of classrooms and maker space equipment, smart hardware, and necessary consumables.