Stir Copenhagen: 
design, culture + your senses
August 16–23, 2020

Dates may shift by a day or two depending on flights (but departure after June 5 is definite).

DESCRIPTION

Whether you are a professional, faculty, or student, if you love design, this extraordinary experience is for you.

Invigorate your creative process in Copenhagen, Denmark and participate in a one week, sensory-based design tour of the city. Immerse yourself in Danish design, history and culture and discover how a passion for creating exceptional communication, products, fashion, textiles, systems, architecture, and more, is woven into the fabric that forms Denmark. 

You will meet with notable Danish designers, gain insight into their thought processes, tour design studios, visit modern and historic architectural sites, get a glimpse of Danish Royal life, bike through the cobbled city streets as the natives do, travel to a scenic part of the country to see the remarkable collection at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and much, much more.

Your point of view is found through your senses as you focus on taste, texture, smell, sight and sound as a means to connect with your surroundings. Sensory-based design activities will guide you as you record the happenings of the city and the nuances of the culture.

We aim to expand your personal awareness, as well as to help broaden and strengthen your views on design so you may return prepared to invite the full spectrum of senses into your creative work. Each participant will keep a journal which may serve as a tangible method of creating and collecting as you follow your curiosity through the streets of Copenhagen.

Participants: All those with a serious interest in art and design-related thinking and making are welcome to apply. Designers, artists, educators, engineers, students, professionals, architects, fashionistas, and farmers who love design and are interested in looking at the design process from a new point of view. We believe that a diverse mix of people, sharing unique content and experiences will inspire a week of rich and interesting conversation.

Guides: This trip is being led by two experienced and enthusiastic graphic designers and design educators, Stephanie Grey and Christine Gallagher.

VALUE

Custom-designed.
This is a program where students, professionals, and those with a serious interest in design come to experience some of the best design Scandinavia has to offer. The trip is based on the founder’s experience living and working in Copenhagen. You would not be able to replicate this tour on your own. Studio tours and recommendations are formed from personal connections through Danish designers in Copenhagen (this is the good stuff!). Each day is well thought out and planned with your personal experience in mind.

Not too big, not too small.
Typically we have between 14–17 people total (including the trip leaders as well as a professional Danish tour guide). Everyone gets to know everyone.

The people.
The trip is led by Stephanie Grey and Christine Gallagher, both experienced design professionals and educators in University design programs. In addition, Stir Copenhagen attracts some of the top designers and design students from all over the world. You will mix and mingle with those who are also looking for a high-quality design experience and by the end you will have a whole new network of friends and connections.

Design and the senses!
It’s not only an inspirational design tour of Copenhagen. We have carefully crafted a series of exercises and workshops based on design and the senses into the material on the trip. It’s as much about you developing a new point of view as it is about being inspired.

The trip includes:

• airfare (unless you wish to purchase flights on your own)

• hotel accommodations

• travel insurance

• breakfast every day, two lunches, a welcome dinner, and a farewell dinner (Copenhagen is a foodie capital of the world)

• local train and bus pass for your entire stay (when you’re not walking or riding a bike, you can get around the city easily)

• activity entrance fees to all that is included on the trip (we have so many great adventures planned for you, you won’t want to leave)

• city bike tour (ride around the city just as the Danes do)

• getting lost in the art and design at the famous Louisiana Modern Art Museum

• workshops with acclaimed Danish designers

• a private historic Castle tour and delicious traditional Danish lunch

• personal design studio tours in Denmark and Sweden
  (visit the top studios in Copenhagen and the design and technology hub in Malmo, Sweden )

• a modern architecture tour of one of Copenhagen’s newest neighborhoods, professional guide included

• sightseeing tour

• canal tour (relax as you glide through the canals, so much good design to see from the water)

• an interior design tour of Danish homes

• a full-time tour guide (she’s amazing!)

• thought-provoking discussions, writing, making work in journals, a new network of design friends and connections, and memories for a lifetime (and fun!)

Course Credit: If you are interested in earning course credit, please contact us for details and to have a discussion about your individual needs.

Supplies to bring with you (only if you have them):

• a travel journal/sketchbook to collect your materials while in Copenhagen (you can make one)

• tracing paper (small pieces that are the size of your journal)

• pencils, markers, colored pencils (your choice of drawing tools)

• tape or glue

• camera (a good camera phone will work)