In the Spatial Design programme – event direction, students work on real assignments from the field. This teaches them how to work for a client, deal with wishes and expectations, make presentations and get a good idea of what the future field of work looks like. One of these involved and enthusiastic clients is Museumpark Vonk in Eindhoven. (The preHistoric Village and Eindhoven Museum are jointly developing Museumpark Vonk).
Students were commissioned to design a ‘Vonk’: an interactive, folly-like object depicting a historical theme for the museum park. Within this assignment, they focused specifically on depicting Brabant’s cooperative past in a spatial design. Students delivered a complete design process, from concept and visuals to working drawings and choice of materials. For students, this project was ’the cream of the crop’. We speak to director-director Ward Rennen and two students.
Same demand as professionals
Director-director Ward Rennen: “I am positively surprised by the quality of the students’ concepts and designs. The assignment was complex and instructive: students were given the same briefing format as the professional makers. This gave them a realistic and all-encompassing picture for the future, but at the same time you really demand something of them. They really latched onto the brief and in a short time I saw them rise above themselves. It was nice to see how each of them approached the assignment in their own way. It is nice for our team to be stimulated and inspired by young people’s innovative ideas”.
Student Ilse van Gorp – Together Smart
“It was a challenging project. To properly understand the assignment and develop an appropriate concept, good research was important. Besides a visually appealing design, I also wanted a strong story in terms of content. That is where I am most proud that I succeeded. I drew inspiration from two old photos of my grandparents’ gymnastics classes. The human pyramid symbolises the idea ‘smart together, strong together’, which is not only a powerful visual message, but also contributes educationally to the theme.”
Student Guus van Roermund – Factories Together
“I found the assignment really challenging in the beginning and had to find my feet for a while. Once this worked out, I was able to easily arrive at my concept and form. I took my inspiration with the ‘Together Factories’ concept from the history of Eindhoven and images of old factories. Another challenge was more on a technical level. How do I make sure the outside becomes as interesting as the inside? After sparring with the client and teacher, I placed some nice incentives on the outside. I am most proud of the final elaboration and translation of my concept and how I developed myself.”
Everything comes together
Students begrudge everyone such a good and instructive project in the final stage of the course. “Then everything you have learnt really comes together,” he says. Ward is also positive about a new project within SintLucas. We definitely want to continue working together and possibly expand this with cool projects for courses such as Creative Craftsman Textile or Stained Glass. We are looking forward to it!
