UK Global Design Initiative Invites Students to Study Design Abroad

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2014) — Picture the opportunity to advance your design skills in some of the world's most elite institutions for design innovation and excellence. A collaboration between University of Kentucky Education Abroad and faculty from various academic departments has made that possible.

UK's Global Design initiative is a portfolio of nine education abroad programs that allow students across various academic departments to further their design studies in countries like Australia, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy and New Zealand.

UK students participating in a Global Design program will receive an automatic scholarship that ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the selected program.

"Global design recognizes that the practice of design in any form happens in a world context," said Patrick Lee Lucas, director of the School of Interiors at UK's College of Design. "Designers must understand the implications of their work at both local and global scales."

Through these programs, students can strengthen their design skills in several different design-related topics, like graphic design, architecture, fashion design, interior design, photography, product design and more.

"This is about creating a unique selection of programs abroad that appeal to a wide range of design students," said Seth Riker, promotion and outreach coordinator for Education Abroad. "Essentially, these programs are the cream of the crop of design opportunities through UK."

Each program was hand-selected by UK faculty and their affiliated international partners based on criteria that ensure students have access to the latest technology, leading design faculty and collaboration with local design institutes.

These programs are offered through six academic departments: School of Architecture, School of Art and Visual Studies, School of Interiors, Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Journalism and Telecommunications, and the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management.

"The College of Design gladly joins this effort in helping to show the possibilities of design as a way to see and transform the world," Lucas said.

The initiative kicks off with the Global Design Showcase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the Niles Gallery of Lucille Caudill Fine Arts Library. Students can learn more about the program offerings — and enjoy free food.

For more information, visit www.uky.edu/international/globaldesign to learn more about the UK Global Design programs. For questions and guidance, visit the Education Abroad Resource Center in 315 Bradley Hall to speak with an Education Abroad Peer Ambassador.