Program Filled! ArtCenter + Tama Art University in Japan FA26
Fall 2026 term - Faculty-Led program
Applications for this program have CLOSED.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Collaboration with Tama Art University, Tokyo:
The Nature of Wood: JAPAN project marks 20 years of collaboration between Tama Art University, Tokyo and ArtCenter. Since 2006, this educational collaboration has brought together students from both universities for annual collaborations bridging Japan’s and California’s diverse cultures, around themes of global relevance. Check out past projects here.
Cross-cultural student teams:
Students from the two partner schools will collaborate on interdisciplinary, cross-cultural teams. Tama Art University, Tokyo brings craft traditions & top Japanese design. ArtCenter brings industry excellence, digital design & So Cal innovation.
Creating wellbeing with nature:
How might emotional design bring the healing qualities of wood to modern life?
Japanese spirit of wood:
How might we learn from Japan’s deep appreciation of craft, philosophical, spiritual, and sustainable principles?
Design outcomes:
Inspired by your team’s research insights, explore the Nature of Wood theme and create designs that embrace the senses. Design outcomes may range in scale from products & home goods, to lighting & furnishings, to experiences, spaces and environments.
View the March 16 Info Session recording here.
FALL 2026 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
-
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Tama and ArtCenter students will engage in intensive team-based design research investigating the “Nature of Wood” theme. Students will engage with subject matter experts from the fields of wood manufacturing, sustainable forestry, materials innovation, design, and traditional Japanese craft. Students will learn to formulate research questions, apply research methodologies, document field research, distill observations and synthesize insights in order to drive opportunities for design, innovation and fabrication.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
CLO1: Research culturally relevant design opportunities in international, cross-cultural contexts, from a range of perspectives.
CLO2: Engage in site-based and hands-on research & documentation.
CLO3: Formulate research questions, apply research methodologies, distill research observations, synthesize insights, and generate design opportunities from research.
CLO4: Cultivate a team-based cross-cultural collaborative research process.
CLO5: Hands-on exploration of Japan’s design innovations in wood and rich cultural heritage of wood craft..
-
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Educational research trips and immersive cultural experiences will expose students to a diverse range of perspectives on Tokyo’s contemporary arts and design, as well as Japanese cultural heritage and craftsmanship. Learn from ArtCenter Faculty Penny Herscovitch & Dan Gottlieb—who bring 20 years of experience instructing cultural immersion and educational research in Japan—as well as curated guest presentations, workshops and demonstrations by Tama Art University faculty & industry professionals. In this course, students will create their own documentation to tell the story and communicate the depth of these cultural experiences. Final outcomes may range from sketchbook documentation, to a digital presentation, to a series of short video pieces.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
CLO1: Gain understanding of Tokyo’s diverse design industry, arts & architecture through immersive experiences and educational research trips.
CLO2: Experience Japan’s unique design, aesthetics & culture from a range of perspectives through workshops & guest presentations.
CLO3: Gain opportunities to connect with and learn from industry professionals.
CLO4: Explore a range of creative approaches to documentation.
CLO5: Hone professional presentation skills.
-
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will collaborate on international, cross-disciplinary teams and explore globally relevant design opportunities in an international setting around the “Nature of Wood” theme. Inspired by field research into Japan’s deep spirit and craft of wood, explore design that embraces the senses. How might emotional design bring the healing qualities of wood to modern life? Design outcomes may range from products & home goods, to lighting & furnishings, to experiences, spaces and environments. Students will build full-size prototype(s) and/or spatial model(s), and well as creating renderings and visuals. Thus, this class requires strong physical fabrication skills, as well as Rhino and/or SolidWorks.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
CLO1: Research globally relevant design opportunities in new international & cross-cultural contexts.
CLO2: Synthesize field research, cultural experiences and craft heritage to define insights and opportunities to drive design.
CLO3: Generate ideas and articulate a compelling design story around the “Nature of Wood” theme
CLO4: Craft a refined design outcome to create an emotive experience for your audience.
CLO5: Hone professionalism and presentation skills by engaging with international partners, designers, craftspeople and organizations.
CLO6: Cultivate cross-cultural collaborative design process, working in a team while developing personal voice as a designer.
ArtCenter and Tama students in Japan, Fall 2022
RESEARCH TRIP
Educational field research in and around Tokyo, Hida Takayama, and Kyoto will instruct students in research methods to explore:
Japan’s cutting edge design, from inspiring galleries and museums to products and architecture
Behind-the-scenes visits to design studios, wood manufacturers, and traditional crafts workshops
Natural environments, traditional towns, and cultural world-heritage sites
REMAINDER OF THE TERM WITH ARTCENTER FACULTY IN COLLABORATION WITH TAMA ART UNIVERSITY:
After an initial research study-tour, the Fall 2026 full term program will be based at Tama Art University’s beautiful campus in Hachioji, Western Tokyo, with access to Tama’s shops, digital fab lab, materials lab, and award-winning library.