The underground is a place for rapid transport, subversive music and the birthing of social movements. Regarding the latter, formality almost neutralises the original purpose. Nevertheless, University of the Underground would like to formally announce the launch of its new two-year Design MA, to be taught within a hidden network of urban spaces in London and Amsterdam.
Affiliated with Amsterdam's Sandberg Instituut and spearheaded by French designer Nelly Ben Hayoun, University of the Underground is an attempt to educate 'creative soldiers', young designers trained to successfully 'infiltrate power structures and digital and scientific ecosystems'. In other words, it supports an alternative reading of design as it crosses music, film, theatre and politics.
The graphics have been designed by Nelly Ben Hayoun Studio
Through this 'deviance in creativity', it hopes to attract 'all the Willy Wonkas of modern times, the contemporary Velvet Undergrounds and Joy Divisions... mythologists and makers of new worlds' and engineer a power shift within the industry and beyond. Confused? Its mission statement may or may not set you right.
In London, lecture rooms have already been put aside at Village Underground, a converted warehouse in Shoreditch dedicated to music, art and theatrical events. With its emphasis on research and critical theory, the university hopes to grow into a full-fledged PhD programme at Sandberg, the postgraduate arm of Amsterdam's Gerrit Rietveld Academie. The current MA will be provided through a scholarship programme funded by a combination of government grants and and philanthropy.
Courses at the university will be taught within a hidden network of urban spaces in London and Amsterdam
The college is affiliated with Amsterdam's Sandberg Instituut and spearheaded by designer Nelly Ben Hayoun, whose studio also created the graphics for the university
It says it will attempt to educate 'creative soldiers', young designers trained to successfully 'infiltrate power structures and digital and scientific ecosystems'
In London, lecture rooms have already been put aside at Village Underground, a converted warehouse in Shoreditch dedicated to music, art and theatrical events
INFORMATION
For more information or to apply, visit the University of the Underground website
-
The most whimsical hotel Christmas trees around the worldWe round up the best hotel Christmas tree collaborations of the year, from an abstract take in Madrid to a heritage-rooted installation in Amsterdam
-
Stone dials are making a comeback: here are the watches doing it bestWatches with hard stone dials are enjoying a surge in popularity
-
These illuminating fashion interviews tell the story of style in 2024Selected by fashion features editor Jack Moss from the pages of Wallpaper*, these interviews tell the stories behind the designers who have shaped 2024 – from Kim Jones to Tory Burch, Willy Chavarria to Martine Rose
