Parsons Paris

Integrative Studio and Seminar 2: Starting the Semester with a “?”

Curiosity is a Powerful Tool

The Spring semester had barely started that first-year students had already their hands busy with new projects. In Integrative Seminar and Integrative Studio 2, two core classes where all majors (BFA AMT, FD and BBA SDM) are mixed together, students had to collect things for one week. For this first exercise, items could range from images, objects, situations, sounds or places. By challenging their making habits, students learned tools to transform hunches and personal objects of curiosity into ambitious projects. 

For instance, in Integrative Seminar 2, students used post-it annotations to initiate more complex discussions about subjectivity and creativity. One group picked a leg mannequin to collectively brainstorm. First, students wrote their thoughts and observations on a post it note. Then, the notes where stuck on the item for everyone to see. Finally, everyone quickly compared their observations and interpretations of this fashion design tool. From there, varied questions related to beauty standards, manual labor, craftsmanship, surrealism and body perception, arose from it. Overall, this approach helped students fight against difficulties, such as the fear of the white page, or the wrongful perception of not being artistic or creative enough.

From Curiosity to Questions

After this first design thinking exercise, students will work on identifying their topic for a semester-long project. Thanks to other short exercises and projects, they will get the chance to play with different ideas and better understand the values of researching and making together. With the freedom to explore any topic, ever student can focus on a skill set directly related to their major, or explore new territories. And this creative process relies also on the group’s input. Indeed, the cohabitation between students from the three majors contributes to the cross pollination between art and design fields. Moreover, the international body of students and faculty supports a more diverse take on art and design questions too. In conclusion, the unique integrative model developed at Parsons Paris where research, making, and writing come together trains adaptive and resilient designers and artists for the future.