Utilizing transdisciplinary approaches to reimagine the Tuscan countryside town of Cortona
The Cortona Experience wrapped up its third successful year with a group of 73 students from The Creative School taking part in person and virtually in the beautiful Tuscan countryside town of Cortona, Italy. The immersive summer experience allowed students to participate in local cultural traditions, collaborate with peers from across The Creative School and international partners, and develop solutions-oriented projects geared towards the residents of Cortona.
Interdisciplinary group of students from across The Creative School and Associate Professor Joseph Medaglia in the courtyard of Sant'Agostino Conference Centre, where the FCD558: Intro to Design Thinking class was held. Image courtesy of Tory Hutchings.
Starting in 2019, the one-of-kind summer experience in Cortona has been offering students across The Creative School the chance to work on complex problems in the city with various local partners. Cortona is a small hilltop town in a region known for its rich history of agriculture and artisanal production. Having been able to preserve many aspects of its culture, including stone walls, buildings and other revered monuments dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, Cortona is a sought-after destination for anyone who wants to experience a quintessential Italian historical town.
Experiential learning applied in the real world
During their trip, students had the opportunity to learn about the creative heritage of Italy and participate in a field trip to Polimoda Fashion School in Florence. They were also able to apply their creative skills working on innovative projects with local clients including Cortona On The Move, an international photography festival. In addition to the immersive out-of-country experience, students also had the opportunity to take part in the program's hybrid and virtual offerings, which allowed more students to participate.
Welcome dinner organized by The Creative School for students and faculty in the patio of Villa Santa Margherita, a historic monastery-turned guest house used as a student residence. Image courtesy of Lauren Chan.
The Creative School students documenting the Etruscan and Roman presence. Image courtesy of Tory Hutchings.
The view from a rooftop overlooking Cortona, Italy. Image courtesy of Tory Hutchings.
The experience was comprised of three courses students could choose from, lasting two or four weeks: IRN701: Interior Design Studio VII (opens in new window) , FCD558: Intro to Design Thinking, and FCD815: Design Solutions Supercourse (external link, opens in new window) . Each course was specifically designed to facilitate an immersive, interdisciplinary experience that allows students to collaborate in groups and with local partners.
IRN701: Interior Design Studio VII was offered by Interior Design Professor Barbara Vogel. The Cortona experience started with this course six years ago under the leadership of Professor Vogel and has developed into a more transdisciplinary course offering today. The student's goal was to turn Fortezza Girifalco into an international centre for the arts, Cortona Visual Arts Academy.
The project focused on the restoration & transformation of the Fortezza Girifalco for new function(s) as well as proposed activities along the connection between the Fortezza and a commercial part of the town.
The Interior Design cohort included 14 interior design students and two students from the architectural department. The students developed a program and spatial solutions to restore and reimagine the 16th century Fortress of Girifalco and parts of Cortona. They worked in various historic locations in the town and explored other cities during the weekends. The students’ projects were on public display in the courtyard of the historic Sant'Agostino Church. Four students from the Interior Design program designed and executed components for the display of the photographs for the Cortona on the Move festival exhibition.
Image courtesy Kaija Vogel, IRN 701 students after the presentations at the Fortezza Girifalco, Professor Vogel in white.
Joseph Medaglia, Chair of the School of Fashion, was the academic lead for FCD558: Intro to Design Thinking. Using the city of Cortona as their starting point, the course challenged students to think critically about relevant issues and how they can address them. The course began with a two-week intensive online discussing the ways in which design thinking can be applied to the real world, and ended with a two-week trip to the city of Cortona where students had the opportunity to translate their ideas into action.
"Students were able to challenge traditional ways of design thinking and consider the unique aspects of Cortona and its surroundings, to confront important issues and design for a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable future,” remarked Medaglia.
Tanya Pobuda was the faculty lead for the virtual FCD815: Design Solutions Supercourse. The course allowed students to work in transdisciplinary teams and address real-world problems posed by industry and community partners. And by giving students the opportunity to create a novel product in an agile, high-pressure environment, students were able to complete the course with a tangible, real-world product comprising their efforts.
Using the skills gained throughout their academic careers students were tasked with creating solution-oriented projects to solve a specific problem of their choosing. And by working with faculty members, residents and each other, the outcomes were nothing short of innovative.
IRN701: Interior Design Studio VII students presenting their ideas to a panel of design experts in the Girifalco Fortress around repurposing the 16th-century site
“Our main project was centered around essentially designing ‘The Future of Cortona’,” remarked Samira Balsara, a Journalism student at The Creative School. “We had to identify a problem we noticed while living there and then design a prototype that could help potentially solve this issue. It was cool to see what everyone came up with and how their program background inspired their final project.”
Creative industries student Maya Fettes worked on a similar project that was pertinent to her program.
“For my project, I wrote a television bible for a documentary series that would showcase the process of revitalizing public spaces in small towns in Tuscany,” stated Fettes. “I was able to tie my degree focus in television to relevant opportunities in Tuscany, which created a multifaceted project that was incredibly exciting and interactive to develop.”
The Creative School students on a tour of the historic sites of Girifalco Fortress. Image courtesy of Tory Hutchings.
The Creative School students on a tour of the historic sites of Piazza Signorelli. Image courtesy of Lauren Chan.
A global perspective on education
Cortona is one of four international centres at The Creative School. (opens in new window) Each centre provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that builds on the skills students have gained in their academic careers and enables them to utilize these skills in a collaborative, transdisciplinary and innovative environment.
Sadia Kamran, Manager of International Development at The Creative School, affirmed how integral these global experiences are to the students and the faculty as a whole. It’s initiatives like these that foster a global community, one that looks to uplift its members and neighbours at a local and international level.
“Our vision is to continue to look at ways of expansion, growth and continued improvement on the student experience,” said Kamran. “We hope to expand the strong momentum of international activities at The Creative School, and our summer campus in Italy is one example of that expansion.”
FCD558: Intro to Design Thinking attended their class in the historic site of Sant'Agostino
Sant'Agostino is a historic monastery which was later turned into a conference centre.
Basking in the warmth of the Tuscan countryside
Aside from working on projects, students had the opportunity to enjoy all that Cortona has to offer. From learning about cultural traditions from local residents to basking in the warmth of the beautiful Tuscan countryside, there was an overwhelming amount of experiences that students got to participate in.
Cortona is a Medieval walled town in Tuscany, Italy, with stunning views over the Val di Chiana (Chiana Valley). Image courtesy of Tory Hutchings
“I made some lifelong friends in this program, and getting to travel around Italy and experience Cortona with them was incredible,” exclaimed Samira Balsara. “It was a great opportunity to connect with TMU students that I didn’t know, and I’m glad I was able to meet so many new people!”
“[My favourite part of the trip was] enjoying magnificent dinners with classmates in the cozy late-evening warmth of Cortona, with the warm orange Tuscan sunset in the background,” stated Henderson Li, an Interior Design student.
Overall, the program provided students with invaluable learning experiences and skills that they may never get from just studying abroad on their own or attending university classes at home.
FCD815: Design Solutions Supercourse Final Showcase presented by students Maude Angers-Lessard, Zainab Mirwali, Andreina Ramirez Gonzalez and Heritage Wisdom
"A skill that became very crucial during this experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life is the importance of thoughtful communication," stated Maya Fettes. "Rarely is any problem that serious. Most problems or questions you run into can be solved simply by communicating with integrity with those around you. That doesn't change anywhere you are in the world."
Interested in taking part in the Cortona Experience in 2023? Learn more about the experience (opens in new window) and everything it has to offer.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.