Crossing Borders and Shaping Futures for Benilde’s School of Environment and Design
Crossing Borders and Shaping Futures for Benilde’s School of Environment and Design
25 June 2024
A Journey of Learning and Collaboration
Last April 20-30, a De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde team, in a collaborative effort, embarked on a transformative benchmarking trip across prominent design schools in the United States. Led by Ar. Harvey Vasquez, Dean of the School of Environment and Design (SED), the delegation visited the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah and Atlanta, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York, and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. The goal was to gather insights and innovative practices to enhance Benilde’s educational environment, particularly in architecture, design, and applied arts.
SCAD Savannah: A Creative Powerhouse
SCAD Savannah showcased a dynamic and creative learning environment that Benilde could follow. “The mixture of activities in student lounge areas and the dynamic hallways with student, alumni, and faculty works displayed were particularly inspiring,” Ar. Vasquez remarked. The student lounges at SCAD offer multiple setups, such as lecture spaces, hot desks, workstations, and consultation tables. They are equipped with printers, binders, cutting mats, and other tools that are free for student use. “These versatile spaces facilitate student interaction and collaboration,” Ar. Vasquez observed. Implementing such multifunctional lounges at Benilde could significantly enhance student engagement and creativity.
The computer laboratory setup at SCAD is another aspect worth noting. “The computer stations are oriented facing the wall to maximize space, with plastic chairs on casters for easy movement and a shared working table in the middle that acts as a discussion hub,” Ar. Vasquez observed. This versatile layout can accommodate design classes and promote collaborative work. The combination of drafting and computer laboratories at SCAD, featuring bar-height tables and chairs, desktop computers with monitor arms, straightedge parallel bar rulers, and work lamps, is a setup Benilde aims to replicate. “This flexible arrangement will add dynamism to our classrooms,” Ar. Vasquez added.
SCAD’s fabrication laboratories are equipped with enclosed spaces to isolate machines emitting fumes, industrial sinks, vertical panel saws, and spaces to display student works, even in the materials library. “Incorporating such advanced facilities will enhance our students’ hands-on learning experiences,” Ar. Vasquez discussed.
The SCAD Savannah Film Studios tour highlighted the institution’s state-of-the-art facilities for film and television acting, production design, and sound design. Implementing advanced media production facilities at Benilde could provide students with practical skills and hands-on experience, preparing them for careers in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the diverse range of programs housed in Adler Hall, from graphic design to photography, showcased SCAD’s dedication to a comprehensive arts education. “This multidisciplinary approach could be mirrored at Benilde to encourage cross-disciplinary collaborations among students,” suggested Ar. Vasquez.
Clark Hall and the SCAD Museum of Art offered insights into how contemporary art can be integrated within an academic environment, making educational spaces more engaging and stimulating. “The museum, in particular, inspired us to think about integrating modern artistic expressions into Benilde’s campus,” Ar. Vasquez noted. These experiences, facilitated by Amber Ylisto, Associate Director of Educator Outreach, and Erin Findlay, Associate Director of Admission, emphasized the importance of creating inspiring educational environments.
Atlanta: A Hub of Creative Excellence
The team delved deeper into SCAD’s approach to fostering creativity in Atlanta. Meetings with Kent Knowles, Associate Chair of Fine Arts, and Dejan Agatonovic, Associate Dean of Fashion, illuminated SCAD’s strategies for encouraging innovation across different artistic disciplines. “The integration of fine arts and fashion within SCAD’s curriculum highlighted the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach,” Ar. Vasquez remarked, suggesting that Benilde could enhance its programs by fostering similar cross-departmental collaborations.
The Benilde delegation at the SCAD Atlanta campus observed a highly engaging and inspiring environment where art and design flourish in every corner. The campus hallways are adorned with printed and framed works of students and faculty, which are regularly displayed and even available for sale. This practice transforms the corridors into vibrant galleries, offering continuous artistic stimulation and inspiration. “Each floor or program area is embellished with artwork, making learning spaces dynamic and creative,” noted Ar. Harvey Vasquez. This approach provides active artistic stimulation, creating a lively and motivating atmosphere for arts and design students.
SCAD Atlanta’s Materials Library is another highlight, where student works are prominently showcased, reflecting the institution’s commitment to celebrating student achievements. The ceiling features lighting samples with various color temperatures and receptacles, allowing students to experiment and understand lighting effects. “Adapting this feature in our Materials Library will give our students hands-on experience in lighting design,” Ar. Vasquez suggested. Additionally, in the Fashion Design Studio, a mix of specialized equipment, large pattern tables, and traditional sewing machines create a versatile and comprehensive learning space. A large format sublimation printer is also available, enhancing students’ ability to produce high-quality prints for their projects.
The library at SCAD Atlanta actively promotes student work. An annual artist book competition showcases students’ creativity and craftsmanship, prominently displaying the winning entries. “This form of internal recognition creates external demand for student works, fostering a sense of pride and achievement,” Ar. Vasquez observed.
Moreover, SCAD Atlanta’s dedication to integrating alumni achievements into the educational environment is evident. Works by established alumni are curated and displayed, providing current students with inspiration and tangible examples of success. This practice not only honors alumni but also serves as a motivational tool for students, demonstrating the potential career paths they can aspire to.
In essence, SCAD Atlanta exemplifies how art and design education can be elevated by creating an environment that continuously showcases and celebrates the creativity of its students and faculty. By incorporating similar strategies, Benilde can foster a more engaging, inspiring, and dynamic educational experience for its students. “The integration of these practices at Benilde promises to enhance our educational offerings, providing students with a more enriched and motivating learning environment,” Ar. Vasquez concluded.
Rochester: A Beacon of Innovation at RIT
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) visit in New York provided a comprehensive view of interdisciplinary education. During the visit, the delegation participated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing and toured the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), which underscored RIT’s commitment to inclusivity in education. This highlighted the importance of creating an inclusive environment at Benilde, where all students can thrive and succeed regardless of their abilities.
RIT’s Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) integrates technology, art, and design, fostering creativity, collaboration, and discovery. “The SHED is a unique building designed for a unique campus, serving a new type of student,” Ar. Vasquez observed. The Maker’s Space and Maker’s Showcase Space in the SHED encourage student collaboration and idea pitching. “Such spaces at Benilde could significantly enhance student innovation and entrepreneurship,” Ar. Vasquez suggested.
The Textile Laboratory at RIT, an open studio staffed by an Industrial Design student specializing in textiles, facilitates potential student collaboration. “Open labs like these, along with the maker space and print lab, offer excellent opportunities for student collaboration,” Ar. Vasquez remarked. Through acquisition or donation, RIT’s approach to archiving and displaying student works creates internal demand for student works, which generates external demand. “This form of self-love sets RIT apart and is something we can adopt to promote our students’ works,” Ar. Vasquez noted.
Engaging with key academic leaders from the Saunders College of Business, the College of Art & Design, the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, and the College of Engineering and Technology provided a holistic view of RIT’s interdisciplinary and innovative educational strategies. This collaborative approach underscored the value of each participant’s input and contribution. “The value of integrating business, art, technology, and engineering education at Benilde cannot be overstated,” Ar. Vasquez concluded, emphasizing the need to prepare students for the multifaceted demands of the modern workforce.
New York City: Innovation at Pratt Institute
The final leg of the journey took the delegation to New York City, where they visited the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Senior leaders’ warm welcome and introduction, including the President and Interim VP, set the tone for insightful discussions. The campus tour, led by Tue Tran, Director of Alumni Engagement, included visits to architecture studios and the Center for Experimental Structures. “The integration of advanced technologies with architectural education at Pratt provided valuable lessons for us,” Ar. Vasquez noted, showcasing Pratt’s innovative approach to nurturing creativity and technical skills.
Pratt’s fabrication laboratories and the Center for Experimental Structures offered valuable insights into how advanced technologies can seamlessly integrate into architectural education. “The emphasis on hands-on learning and experimentation is something that Benilde can incorporate into its programs,” Ar. Vasquez observed, stressing the importance of fostering innovation and practical skills among students. Establishing similar fabrication laboratories at Benilde could give students the tools and resources to bring their creative visions to life.
At Pratt Institute, the delegation observed shadow boxes in the hallways displaying work-in-progress and works from distinguished alumni. “Implementing shadow boxes in our hallways can showcase our students’ progress and achievements,” Ar. Vasquez suggested. The Textile Dye Garden at Pratt, which intertwines art, weaving, botany, ecology, chemistry, and technology, is a resource for sustainability education and collaboration. “We can reference the Textile Dye equipment for our upcoming building,” Ar. Vasquez noted.
The Pratt Materials Library prominently displays student works, and the Fashion Design Studio features a mix of equipment, including large pattern tables, specialized equipment, and sewing machines. “Our fashion Design program can emulate this diverse layout to enhance students’ practical skills,” Ar. Vasquez remarked.
The Pratt Foundation Wood Workshop, a yearlong experience for art and design students, supports learning through curiosity, collaboration, and critique. “This foundational experience is something we can integrate into our programs to foster a collaborative and creative learning environment,” Ar. Vasquez suggested.
Changes Underway
Insights from prestigious institutions like SCAD, RIT, and Pratt Institute have informed initiatives to foster a more dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring student learning environment. This article outlines the planned short-term and long-term strategies that will shape the future of Benilde’s design education.
One of the immediate steps involves creating a robust system for archiving physical and digital student works. This initiative is about preservation and preparing for a more active curation and display of these works within the SED areas. Benilde aims to build a collection showcasing student creativity and innovation by acquiring exceptional works from thesis programs. To enhance the visibility of student projects, pin-up materials will be added to the available walls around the SED floors in collaboration with Ar. Benilde’s Center for Campus Art (CCA) Director Gerry Torres will help develop additional display systems to present student work more effectively. This aligns with the strategy observed at SCAD, where hallways are dynamic galleries filled with student and faculty works.
Drawing from the Material Lab Prize at Pratt Institute, Benilde’s SED programs will introduce a similar competition where students propose new materials from recycled items. Winning proposals might even be submitted to Materials Connexion, contributing to a global collection of innovative materials. Furthermore, the T-Minus design competition concept from RIT will be adapted. A one-week design competition involving teams of students from all levels will encourage interaction and collaboration, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among students.
Shared student reviews will become a regular feature, with potential partners invited to Revalida and Best in Thesis deliberations. This will provide students with valuable external feedback and strengthen ties with industry and academic partners. Ar. Vasquez also recommends that the Industrial Design (ID) and Interior Design (InD) programs visit RIT in September 2024. This visit explores how RIT interfaces its programs with the industry, potentially leading to international partnerships. For the ID program, this could mean capacity building and better integration with industry practices, especially those championed by RIT’s Saunders Business School. For InD, this visit could facilitate the expansion of the furniture elective into a separate track, enriching the curriculum and offering more specialization options.
In the long term, Benilde plans to implement student mobility programs, enhancing opportunities for international exposure and collaboration. Additionally, detailed plans are being developed to create permanent display systems across various programs. For Industrial Design, this includes open galleries for showcasing the best in thesis and ongoing projects, enclosed display panels for designed objects, and posters highlighting distinguished alums and their works. In interior design, pin-up walls will be installed in the hallways to display student projects and work progress. Fashion Design and Merchandise will feature large-scale shadow boxes in long hallways, inspired by Pratt’s effective use of shadow boxes. In Architecture, a system will be developed for the scale model archive on the 14th floor.
To further enhance academic progression, ladderized pathways will be established to connect Benilde’s undergraduate programs with postgraduate programs at partner institutions like RIT and Pratt. Additionally, Benilde mentors will be encouraged to pursue graduate studies, including PhD and MA programs, to ensure faculty development keeps pace with educational advancements.
A significant aspect of the long-term plan involves upgrading laboratory and studio spaces. The SED computer laboratories will be upgraded with customized bar-height tables that accommodate drafting and computer stations, a feature inspired by SCAD. Following SCAD’s model, the FDM studios will be reconfigured to support multiple activities, incorporating pattern tables, specialized equipment, and sewing machines in a single room. Discussion tables will be placed in the middle of design studios to serve as both working areas and consultation hubs, promoting collaboration and accessibility. Multiple lighting solutions will be adapted to enhance the functionality and learning experience in the material resource library, taking cues from SCAD’s innovative approach.
By implementing these comprehensive strategies, Ar. Harvey Vasquez envisions a transformed educational landscape at Benilde that nurtures creativity, encourages collaboration, and prepares students to excel in the dynamic fields of design and arts. These initiatives are set to create an environment where students can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the design industry.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
