Abstract
In an interconnected world, equipping designers with the skills to navigate cultural complexities is vital. This paper explores strategies to foster cross-cultural competencies in design education through a global seminar conducted in Rome and Syracuse, Sicily. The course integrates experiential learning with the “emic-etic” framework and the Cultural Inventory for Studio (CITS), a self-developed pedagogical tool. CITS examines ten cultural parameters to identify and address the cultural dynamics shaping studio-based education. The “emic-etic” framework, inspired by Kenneth L. Pike, contrasts insider (emic) and outsider (etic) perspectives, encouraging students to approach culture, space, and design from multiple viewpoints. Course activities included guided reflections, intensive sketching, and immersive fieldwork to examine the interplay between culture, history, and urban form. Structured reflections on identity, ethics, and context enabled students to critically assess their experiences and refine their design processes. Engagements with local professionals—architects, artisans, and historians—offered insights into regional practices and cultural nuances, while workshops with Italian students fostered a rich exchange of perspectives, further enhancing cross-cultural understanding. The studio culminated in student design proposals for a historic site in Syracuse, presented to local experts, illustrating how culturally responsive methodologies inform meaningful design solutions. This research emphasizes the role of experiential learning and culturally informed pedagogies in cultivating the competencies necessary for creating contextually sensitive designs. It underscores the importance of integrating pluralistic approaches in advancing inclusive, globally relevant design education.
Presenters
Marianne HolbertTeaching Professor, Environmental Design, University of Colorado, Colorado, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cultural Competency, Design Education, Experiential Learning, Studio-based Learning, Cross-cultural design
