My semester studying aboard started in January 2018. So, this was the second time I came back to Florence to learn about exquisite Italian furniture design. It takes up a lot of research to find the perfect school for Masters in Interior and Furniture design. I was here from 2016-2017 for another semester studying abroad in a different school. Soon after I decided to get back to my Homeland to explore the practical world. However, I decided I wanted to do my Master’s in a different country/city. Furthermore, I was sure that I want to work and explore the practical world of design while studying. But call it fate or destiny I found a school back in Florence that gives an opportunity to work and study at the same time.

While I was trying to get deep into the details of the Italian way of Furniture design, Prof. Giovanni Voto put me on a real project. A project that required to do a flooring layout of the swimming pool and the deck. Soon I learned, a lot goes into designing- a) perfect concept, b) good composition, c) rhythm, d) function, e)aesthetics. In fact, I learned about all of this during the process of design. Sometimes it was overwhelming not because this approach was a little new to me but because I tried to push myself really hard to get into the way of the Italian mindset of design. But this project taught me a lot, I feel like I am getting into the Italian mindset of design, not 100% but maybe just starting.

I did my research like a detective- going to the school webpage again and again for my dreamt semester studying abroad. But every time I browsed through it made my interest grow even more. In addition, just to be sure I was making the right choice, I spoke to their ex-students. Next, the responses I got only made me want to go to this school even more. My first semester in Star_Florence Design School as a Master’s student is coming to end. This is the first time in my life that I am feeling sad about not going to school for 3 months. I have learned a lot in terms of drawing, technology, colors, and a few famous architects. 

Interacting and spending most of my time with my flatmates but It is not shocking news. They are also design or art students- in various fields of design and art, having their semester studying abroad. Every time I talk to them I discover something new about art and design. The best part about this city is that you can incorporate the art around you in your design. In fact, the more people you meet the more knowledge you gain. Florence is filled with tourists and also equally filled with people who are passionate about art. I guess that proves this is the best place to be if you really want to gain some knowledge about art. Living in Europe, you cannot resist traveling.

 I have travelled to some of the really interesting- filled with great architecture countries in the world!  Every country- every city has it’s own charm and aura to interest you. Every city has a different approach – maybe it is through the colours of the roofs, building or the way their architecture . I have never heard someone saying “I’m bored of European architecture”. Because one can never get bored of seeing these magnificent structures with exquisite ornamental details. The architecture of the entire world revolves around European architecture.

One of the really great things about Star_ Florence Design School is that the learning is not only done inside the four walls, you go out-observe and learn. The school organises field trip/design workshops. In my first semester- we had two design workshops-San Galgano and Salone Del Mobile.

Field trip to the Abbey of San Galgano which is located in the province of Siena, Tuscany. The abbey was a Cistercian Monastery constructed in Gothic style in the 13th century. Now the abbey stands without a roof. The main part of the church began getting too small to contain the monks and the pilgrims. So in 1218 they decided to begin construction of a new imposing abbey in the plain below. The Abbey was built in the classic Gothic forms. All the other Cisterician constructions, with plan at Latin cross with three aisles, rich of carved capitals and rose-windows, cloister, halls, bell tower. In 1786, the bell tower that was 36 metres high, collapsed sweeping up great part of the roof of the church.

According to the design workshop: We had to get inspired by the gothic architecture of the abbey and develop a silent room/prayer room. The abbey attracts a lot of tourists because of it’s great history and structure hence there is no silence for those who want to pray, this was the purpose to develop a silent room. The assignment was really interesting and helpful as we had the inspiration right in front of us and it served a solution to an actual problem.

To sum up, places become more interesting when you know the history behind them. For an Interior Designer, it becomes even more interesting if you know the structural details of the building. The second design workshop – Salone Del Mobile was a completely contradictory experience. I learned about the present. The present approach towards designs, materials, and colors. You have everything you can imagine. Antique architecture is what inspires the present structures. I feel lucky enough to do my course in Master’s Interior and Furniture design. Moreoverm I visited these places with Star_Florence Design school through field trips. Furthermore, I have learned more about the structure rather than just admiring its beauty.