#Italy #Milan #Art Education #Tsinghua Academy #Design Conference

Tsinghua Art Academy's International Conference in Milan

On November 15-16, 2025, the prestigious Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU) convened a significant academic conference in Milan, Italy. This event, titled the Tsinghua International Conference on Art & Design Education (ICADE), drew over 100 renowned participants from various art and design educational institutions around the globe, including representatives from countries like Italy, Australia, the UK, and the US.

Theme and Structure of the Conference

The conference's theme, "Future Context: A New Paradigm for Art and Design Education," was particularly timely, given the rapid advancements in technology and the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). Throughout the two days of discussions, attendees engaged in a program that featured eight keynote speeches, two roundtable sessions, several thematic forums, and numerous workshops, all aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural dialogues.

At the opening ceremony, Qin Chuan, the secretary of the CPC Tsinghua Academy of Arts & Design committee, emphasized the significant global changes that have taken place over the past five years, particularly in relation to AI. He asserted that despite these changes, the core aspiration of promoting art and design education remains unchanged. This perspective underlines the idea that art and design possess a universal language that can bridge cultural divides.

Key Discussions and Insights

Day one featured a series of insightful keynote speeches from various influential figures in the field, such as Anna Barbara, president of POLI.design, and Rebecca Wright from Central Saint Martins in London. Their talks centered around the evolution of design and the necessity for contemporary educational frameworks to adapt to the challenges brought about by digital technologies and AI.

For instance, Barbara referred to the digital revolution as a "revolution of time," urging designers to focus on the orchestration of time and environmental harmonization through technological tools. This highlights a shift in design philosophy from merely addressing physical spaces to understanding and shaping the temporal experiences of users.

On the other hand, Wright emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in design education amid uncertainty. She stressed the need to adopt a new "design language" to adequately address future challenges, positioning the integration of technology alongside human creativity as crucial to this endeavor.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The voice of change echoed through various discussions, underlining the necessity for a collaborative approach in design education. Speakers such as Yang Dongjiang and Franceso Zurlo called for a redefinition of the educational models in design, advocating for an integration of innovative thinking, system reasoning capabilities, and a focus on societal challenges.

Discussions also touched upon the need for breaking traditional barriers between disciplines. Dickson proposed an educational model that is inclusive and capable of fostering significant progress in achieving sustainable development while maintaining a balance between innovation and tradition.

Culmination in Workshops

The second day of the conference included thematic forums addressing diverse sectors such as fashion design, contemporary art, and smart manufacturing. Topics ranged from the aesthetic resonance across cultures to human-machine collaboration, alongside discussions on bodily experiences tied to artistic expression.

Additionally, the RE-ACTOR International Art & Design Workshops concluded the conference, focusing on the theme of how AI can shape new spatial experiences and rituals. This finale highlighted the conference's commitment to integrating technological advancements into traditional art and design practices.

Conclusion

The ICADE conference in Milan showcased the essential dialogue surrounding the future of art and design education. With the integration of AI and an evolving global context, the event underlined the importance of collaboration across disciplines, emphasizing a shared vision for fostering education that is deeply connected to contemporary challenges. As the art and design community ponders its future direction, the takeaways from ICADE are bound to influence educational practices and creative strategies worldwide.

Through these dialogues, Tsinghua Academy has reaffirmed its role as a leader in advocating for the evolution of art and design education, making significant strides toward sustainable cooperation across international spectrums.