TasteMaking Taiwan: The Craft of Dining | SU26 Faculty-Led Program

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ACADEMICS ELIGIBILITY COST NEXT STEPS

ACADEMICS

MAJORS OPEN TO

All majors but especially suited for SXD and PRD students.

HOST DEPARTMENT

Spatial Experience Design

FACULTY LEAD

Penny Herscovitch and Dan Gottlieb

CREDIT

TDS 6 Units of ArtCenter Studio Credit

Tentative Dates Abroad: May 2-15, 2026

SCHEDULE

May travel + Summer 2026 course

Tentative Dates Abroad: May 2-15, 2026

This course begins with travel to Taipei, Taiwan during spring break. Students will then return to campus for the summer term course meetings.Travel + Course: Participation in both components are required to earn credit.

ELIGIBILITY

1) Must have completed at least four terms of undergraduate study or two terms of graduate study prior to the Fall 2025 term

2) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

3) Must not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of the application

If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements or are not sure, you are still welcome to submit an application. There is no fee to apply.

COST

TUITION

You will be responsible for paying regular ArtCenter tuition the required for 6-credit course.

In addition to Art Center tuition for the course, the estimated fee for this program is $3,650. This fee covers: Housing for the trip; on-site orientation program; local transportation; selected group meals; scheduled visits, tours, and lectures; Travel Insurance coverage and 24 / 7 emergency support.

NON-REFUNDABLE PROGRAM FEE

In addition to Art Center tuition for the course, the estimated fee for this program is $3,650. This fee covers: Housing for the trip; on-site orientation program; local transportation; selected group meals; scheduled visits, tours, and lectures; Travel Insurance coverage and 24 / 7 emergency support.

A generous grant from the J. Yang & Family Foundation will be covering up to

3,400 per student's fee for this exceptional program.

250 to secure their place in the program and confirm participation. Participants will be responsible for your airfare and daily additional expenses.

Accepted students will pay a Program Deposit of

250 to secure their place in the program and confirm participation. Participants will be responsible for your airfare and daily additional expenses.

Please note that once you have indicated your commitment to the program and paid your $250 Program Deposit, you will be considered confirmed for the program. If you cancel your participation or withdraw from the program and / or course for any reason after that point of commitment, you will owe a cancelation penalty fee of $3,650 which is equal to the full cost of the program.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please note that once you have indicated your commitment to the program and paid your $250 Program Deposit, you will be considered confirmed for the program. If you cancel your participation or withdraw from the program and / or course for any reason after that point of commitment, you will owe a cancelation penalty fee of $3,650 which is equal to the full cost of the program.

Passport ($135); Visa fee (if applicable); Round-trip airfare (estimated $1,200 for LAX-Taipei); Transfers to / from airport; daily personal expenses, including food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone charges, etc. (anticipate a total of $50 / day in additional expenses, but the amount varies with personal needs, spending and budget).

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT covered by the program fee include:

Passport ($135); Visa fee (if applicable); Round-trip airfare (estimated $1,200 for LAX-Taipei); Transfers to / from airport; daily personal expenses, including food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone charges, etc. (anticipate a total of $50 / day in additional expenses, but the amount varies with personal needs, spending and budget).

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

If you receive state/federal financial aid, contact the Financial Aid office to determine if participating in this program impacts the cost of attendance and qualifies you for additional aid/loans.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

https://www.artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away

NEXT STEPS

To start your application, click the Apply Now button below.

For more details on the application process, visit this page.

Stay tuned for the opportunity to meet the faculty leader and learn more about the program and itinerary.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Program Info Sessions: TBD

Stay tuned for the opportunity to meet the faculty leader and learn more about the program and itinerary.

Decisions Announced: Wednesday, February 18 (Week 5)

APPLICATION + NOTIFICATION TIMELINE

Applications Due: Monday, February 9 (Week 4) with applicant interviews scheduled for February 10-13 (Week 4)

Decisions Announced: Wednesday, February 18 (Week 5)

Commitment and deposit due: Wednesday, February 25 (Week 6)

Can’t make it to an info session?

Sign up for a 1-on-1 advising meeting with the to learn more about the program.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Experience Taiwan’s rich food cultures and explore the design of dining products, spaces and experiences as a driver for international connections between Taiwan and the world.

During the 2-week discovery tour, taste Taipei’s diverse food cultures, from bustling night markets, to deep-rooted tea rituals, to hands-on cooking. In this immersive trip, you’ll get to:

• Taste Taiwan’s iconic treats, from dumplings and street food, to pineapple cake and boba. 

• Visit sites, design studios and manufacturers to learn principles of designing products and spaces for dining.

• Learn from Taiwan’s top innovators, such as the Taiwan Design Research Institute and the National Taiwan University. 

• Experience traditional Taiwanese crafts, which may include ceramics, textiles, bamboo, or other crafts.

Inspired by the field research trip over break, you will return to Pasadena during the Summer term. The design process will explore:

• How might we integrate traditional Taiwanese craft with contemporary global design?

• How might design and food culture bridge people and traditions across continents, from Taipei to LA?

• Reimagining the rituals of dining and the social customs that shape how we share a meal?

Design outcomes at a range of scales:

From street food to fine dining, explore how and where we dine, the tableware we use, the furniture and lighting that create the mood, whether at home, in a restaurant, or on the go.

Your design outcomes may range from tableware, to furnishings & lighting, to pop-up experiences and immersive spaces, which influence the next cross-cultural dining experience.

SUMMER 2026 COURSE DESCRIPTION

• TDS-210: TasteMaking Taiwan: The Craft of Dining (6 STUDIO CREDITS)

  COURSE DESCRIPTION

  Experience Taiwan’s rich food cultures and explore the design of dining products, spaces and experiences as a driver for international connections between Taiwan and the world. During the 2-week discovery tour, taste Taipei’s diverse food cultures, from bustling night markets, to deep-rooted tea rituals, to hands-on cooking. Students will then return to Pasadena during the Summer term to work on their designs.

  LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Research culturally relevant design opportunities in international, cross-cultural contexts.

  2. Synthesize field research and cultural experiences and craft heritage from traveling abroad to define insights and opportunities to drive design.

  3. Generate ideas, articulate design story, and craft a refined outcome to create an emotive experience for your audience.

  4. Hone professionalism and presentation skills by engaging with international partners, designers, craftspeople and organizations. 

  5. Cultivate culturally-engaged design process while developing personal voice as a designer.