Kookmin University expanding design collaboration with University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Son Young-mo, left, dean of Kookmin University’s College of Design, and Andy Belser, dean of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sign a letter of intent to expand exchanges and academic collaboration at the Korean university’s campus in northern Seoul, May 20. Courtesy of Kookmin University
Students from two schools conduct joint projects during workshop
The College of Design at Kookmin University signed a letter of intent with the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to expand student and faculty exchanges and strengthen academic collaboration.
Kookmin University said Tuesday that the letter was signed by Son Young-mo, dean of the College of Design, and Andy Belser, dean of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, at the university's campus in northern Seoul on May 20.
The signing took place during an international workshop titled “Ping Pong: In-between Conversations,” which was jointly hosted by the two colleges at Kookmin University’s campus from May 20-21.
In welcoming remarks, Son and Belser underscored the importance of international cooperation in art and design education. They expressed hope that the workshop would provide students with an opportunity to discover new forms of creative expression while engaging with different cultures and artistic perspectives.
Under the agreement, the two institutions plan to broaden international cooperation in the fields of graphic design, film and new media, including student and faculty exchanges, joint workshops, collaborative research, and academic partnerships.
Kookmin University said students from the two universities, divided into 18 teams, carried out field research and joint projects at various locations across Seoul on the first day of the workshop.
Drawing on both their preliminary research and experiences gained from exploring different parts of the city, the participants worked together to develop their ideas while actively exchanging perspectives on cultural differences and diverse approaches to design.
Team production sessions and final presentations were held on the second day. Participants presented the outcomes of projects completed within a limited timeframe, sharing their research processes and creative directions, while faculty members from both universities provided feedback and engaged in discussion.
Students from Kookmin University and the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pose during an international workshop titled “Ping Pong: In-between Conversations” held at Kookmin University’s campus in Seoul, May 20-21. Courtesy of Kookmin University
“The workshop went beyond a conventional collaborative event, providing an opportunity to discover new forms of dialogue and unlock creative potential across different cultures, sensibilities and languages,” said Myung Yoon-kyung, professor in the department of visual communication design, who coordinated the workshop.
“I was impressed by how actively the students engaged with one another and how they were able to generate unexpected and inspiring results in such a short time," she added.
“It was a truly meaningful experience to explore Seoul and develop a project together with students from different cultural backgrounds,” a university official quoted Lee Joo-yeon, a student majoring in visual communication design, as saying. “The workshop showed me that meaningful communication is possible through design and visual expression, despite differences in language and culture.”
The university also quoted Autumn Key, a media arts student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as saying that the workshop was a unique opportunity to experience Seoul’s culture and collaborate closely with students from Kookmin University.