In collaboration with Campus Life, the IE University Creativity Center—located at the Casa de la Moneda de Segovia—hosts the exhibition Learning by Doing, a collection of work by students of Intro to Design Studio I, taught by Professor Andrea Caruso at IE School of Architecture and Design.
As in the previous edition, lamps have been the central feature of this exhibition—an everyday object that has illuminated our homes throughout the last century. Whether floor, table or ceiling lamps, throughout history, these objects have captured the attention of the great masters of design, who knew just how to channel their genius to turn them into true works of art. Among the most iconic lamps are the Arco lamp, designed by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni; the Disa lamp, designed by the Barcelona architect and designer José Antonio Corderch; and the Artichoke lamp, famous for its layered appearance, the brainchild of the Danish architect Poul Henningsen, one of the key figures of design in interwar Europe.
Titled “Hacking the Masters,” IE University’s first-year design students, led by renowned designer Andrea Caruso, have studied the lamps that have gone down in history as masterpieces. They later replicated these lamps using recycled parts and easy-to-find materials. The end result is a functioning DIY lamp that respects the specific purposes of the original, lights up, and of course, will last over time.
The exhibition is, in short, a journey through a collection of lamps of very diverse natures, sizes and materials. Each one has been made by IE University students following certain rules: the pieces had to come from found or everyday materials present in the home, or from standard hardware components. The use of glue for assembly was prohibited, and the joints had to be reversible to comply with a more sustainable design approach for future reworking. The students worked on the project in the IE University FabLab—the modern manufacturing laboratory located at the Santa Cruz la Real Campus—using techniques such as laser cutting, 3D printing and carpentry.
The purpose is to introduce students to the world of design experimentation and problem solving. The methodology of the course unites theory and practice in a variety of dynamic exercises, both individual and in groups. The goal is to bring out their skills and awaken a critical approach, as well as enable students to identify what makes a good design.
Andrea Caruso, professor at IE School of Architecture and Design
The Italian Andrea Caruso is a professional whose work sets trends in the world of design on an international scale. His projects are a modern reference for anyone who wants to make a career in the difficult field of creative work. For several years now, the designer has enjoyed well-deserved recognition, both from the public and from specialized critics.
Andrea Caruso already has a long list of successful work through his studio Ciszak Dalmas, which he founded alongside Alberto Gobbino Ciszak. Ciszak Dalmas has worked with companies such as Loewe and Zara, and the studio has created its own furniture brand, La Clinica Design.
Caruso teaches at IE School of Architecture and Design, where he shares his experience and knowledge with undergraduate students who are starting out in the world of design and creation.
Bachelor in Design
IE University’s Bachelor in Design is aimed at tireless, insightful young people who question and test the world around them, who believe that there are different ways of doing things and who not only like to redesign, but also to create things from scratch.
The four-year Bachelor in Design program, taught in English, aims to challenge the physical, experiential, functional and emotional reality that we are confronted with daily. This degree has been designed for bold, flexible individuals who want to deliver creative solutions that facilitate a better and more sustainable life, even when resources are limited. This IE School of Architecture & Design program is centered on a unique combination of design fundamentals. It employs rigorous methodology based on practical projects and a holistic approach that allows students to effectively face the challenges of today’s world. The various scientific and creative aspects of design, paired with a business perspective, make it possible to transform and improve human reality.
The Bachelor in Design fully complies with the Bologna Process and is accredited by the Spanish government and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).