Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’

Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’
University of the Underground has announced the launch of its new two-year Design MA
(Image credit: Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios)
By Rosa Bertoli
last updated

The underground is a place for rapid transport, subversive music and the birthing of social movements. Regarding the latter, formality almost neutralises the original purpose. Nevertheless, University of the Underground would like to formally announce the launch of its new two-year Design MA, to be taught within a hidden network of urban spaces in London and Amsterdam.

Affiliated with Amsterdam's Sandberg Instituut and spearheaded by French designer Nelly Ben Hayoun, University of the Underground is an attempt to educate 'creative soldiers', young designers trained to successfully 'infiltrate power structures and digital and scientific ecosystems'. In other words, it supports an alternative reading of design as it crosses music, film, theatre and politics.

Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’

(Image credit: Nelly Ben Hayoun Studio)

The graphics have been designed by Nelly Ben Hayoun Studio

Through this 'deviance in creativity', it hopes to attract 'all the Willy Wonkas of modern times, the contemporary Velvet Undergrounds and Joy Divisions... mythologists and makers of new worlds' and engineer a power shift within the industry and beyond. Confused? Its mission statement may or may not set you right.

In London, lecture rooms have already been put aside at Village Underground, a converted warehouse in Shoreditch dedicated to music, art and theatrical events. With its emphasis on research and critical theory, the university hopes to grow into a full-fledged PhD programme at Sandberg, the postgraduate arm of Amsterdam's Gerrit Rietveld Academie. The current MA will be provided through a scholarship programme funded by a combination of government grants and and philanthropy.

Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’

Courses at the university will be taught within a hidden network of urban spaces in London and Amsterdam

(Image credit: Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios)

Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’

The college is affiliated with Amsterdam's Sandberg Instituut and spearheaded by designer Nelly Ben Hayoun, whose studio also created the graphics for the university

(Image credit: Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios)

Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’

It says it will attempt to educate 'creative soldiers', young designers trained to successfully 'infiltrate power structures and digital and scientific ecosystems'

(Image credit: Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios)

Class action: the newly founded University of the Underground calls for ‘deviance in creativity’

In London, lecture rooms have already been put aside at Village Underground, a converted warehouse in Shoreditch dedicated to music, art and theatrical events

(Image credit: Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios)

INFORMATION

For more information or to apply, visit the University of the Underground website

Rosa Bertoli

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.

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