This September, UAL’s programme for London Design Festival (LDF) will explore our creative relationship with Europe post-Brexit.

Together in Europe: Creative Communities for Change (18-26 September) is an online exhibition and series of events. It considers our past, present, and future relationship with Europe.

The programme explores new models of international engagement and speculates on creative futures through an expanded understanding of Europe as place, space, and idea. Featuring speakers and work from UAL Colleges and Institutes and our valued European partners, guest speakers and other commissioned contributions.

Panel events

Join us for a series of live online panel events on 21, 22 and 23 September. Structured across 3 interconnecting themes, UAL academics and special guest speakers will discuss the UK’s current and future creative relationship with Europe. Events will be hosted and recorded on Zoom and available to watch on-demand after on UAL’s YouTube channel.

Day 1: Models of Engagement
Tuesday 21 September, 1 – 2pm
How can we create and activate a creative community in Europe?

Day 2: Working in Europe
Wednesday 22 September, 1 – 2pm
How can students shape creative futures in Europe?

Day 3: Future visions
Thursday 23 September, 1 – 2pm
What are the possibilities for new perspectives on Europe?

Online exhibition

On Saturday 18 September we’ll launch our online showcase, featuring over 15 UAL-led international projects and work by our alumni in Europe, on themes ranging from fashion and sustainability, community and placemaking, plastic justice, immersive storytelling and much more.

Commissioned contributions will include material by the academic staff behind The Global Design Studio – a collaboration between UAL, ELISAVA (Barcelona) and REMIT (Melbourne); and the Recognising Experience-Based Education and Learning (REBEL) framework, led by Dean of Academic Programmes Paul Haywood and his team at Central Saint Martins, UAL.

“I am delighted to have expanded our offering for this year’s London Design Festival. As we discuss the vital topic of our relationship with Europe, it will be invaluable to hear from experts from all corners of the university engaged in incredible projects shaping our international future. I hope you will join us for stimulating discussions and emerge with new ideas about how to drive positive change in Europe and beyond.”

Dr Nicky Ryan, Together in Europe programme co-curator and Dean of Design at London College of Communication, UAL

‘Together in Europe’ is just one of the submissions for LDF this year. Other UAL projects include NOVA X: Creative careers catalysed by Central Saint Martins and MullenLowe Group – an exhibition at the Lethaby Gallery and online – and MATERIAL HEROES by the Climate Emergency Network – a project that invites recent UAL graduates to showcase their work relating to cultural/environmental sustainability or the climate crisis.