“Design Futures·Shared Vision” 2026 International Summer Program Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Program Overview

The Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University will launch its 2026 International Summer Program under the overarching theme “Design Futures: Shared Vision.” The annual sub-theme is Resilient Symbiosis. Building on the Academy’s strengths in interdisciplinary innovation and talent development, the program will focus on three tracks: Resilient Aero-Urbanism, Resilient Blue-Life, and Resilient Socio-Digital. These tracks examine how technology and the humanities, individuals and communities, and cities and nature can co-evolve and shape one another amid climate change, social uncertainty, and rapid technological change. Participants will apply emerging tools such as generative AI, data visualization and scenario simulation, mixed-reality experiential environments, and environmental and behavioral sensing to develop innovative solutions that advance social resilience, ecological sustainability, and cultural diversity.

Program Organization

Host: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University Organizer: Art and Technology Innovation Base (ATI), Tsinghua University


Program Tracks

Resilient Aero-Urbanism: Space-Age Habitats and Public Spaces Resilient Blue-Life: Marine Ecosystems and Regenerative Design Resilient Socio-Digital: Inclusive Governance and Intelligent Connectivity

Program Schedule

The Summer Program lasts for two weeks, from June 29 to July 12, with a maximum of 60 participants. Location: The Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Haidian District, Beijing, and the locations of international summer program partners.

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to international student teams at undergraduate level or above. We welcome applicants who meet the following criteria: 1.Academic background in design studies or related interdisciplinary innovation fields. 2.Strong interest in innovative design and emerging technologies, with demonstrated teamwork skills and effective cross-cultural communication. 3.Fluent in English and capable of working in English. 4.Must be international student teams currently enrolled in undergraduate programs or above.

Application Process

1.Application method: Applicants need to apply as a team (2-4 people) via the ATI official site of the program: http://www.ati-tsinghua.com.cn/en/summerschool.html 2.Proposal selection: Applicants need to package their initial proposal materials (including project overview, video introduction, and related images. Please note that the submission is in PDF format, no more than 10 pages, and the video is limited to 200M.) and submit them to the site via a Dropbox link. 3.Acceptance notification: After a comprehensive expert review, 10-15 outstanding teams will be selected as the final competition teams and publicly announced. 4.Travel Arrangements: Selected student teams will receive an invitation letter from Tsinghua University. They need to arrange their own visas and round-trip flights, and arrive at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China before June 29th for program registration.
Note*: Teams participating in the two-week international summer program held at Tsinghua University in 2026 will also be eligible to compete in the Tsinghua University 2026 International “Design+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Important Dates

Proposal submission deadline: May 6, 2026 Final list of selected participants announced: May 15, 2026

Program Schedule
Curriculum

Opening Ceremony and Ice-breaking Activities: Team-building activities to help students establish collaborative relationships. Design Thinking Workshop: Invite experts to teach design thinking methods and guide innovative project practices. Futures Thinking and Design Foresight: Invite futurists and design foresight experts to inspire students’ future-oriented thinking. Frontier Technologies Lectures: Introduce emerging developments and real-world applications across AI, data-driven design, immersive media, and sensing technologies to inspire new ideas and interdisciplinary innovation. Company Visit: Visit renowned enterprises to understand industry trends and practical cases, gaining insights into real-world problems. Team Project Practice: Under the guidance of mentors, utilize the innovation and entrepreneurship platform and expert resources to develop innovative solutions. Lean Startup (business plan): Guide students in transforming creative ideas into business models, using startup methodologies for iterative validation. Final Presentation and Roadshow: Present the project’s innovative highlights, feasibility, and market potential in a business roadshow format, followed by a defense and evaluation.

Faculty Team

Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University and Other Schools and Departments: Provide courses in design, creative industries, computer science, and innovation and entrepreneurship.
International Design Education and Technology Institutions: Introduce trends in future design and applications of AI in the design field.
Expand students’ international perspectives and understanding of the global design ecosystem.
Innovation Incubators and Entrepreneurship Mentors: Guide students in transforming creative ideas into viable business models. Impart practical entrepreneurial experience to assist in project implementation.
Renowned Industry Designers, Entrepreneurs, and Product Managers: Share practical experiences and case studies from the industry. Provide hands-on guidance and link students to industry resources.

Financial Support

All participating teams are responsible for their own international travel expenses, visa fees, insurance costs, personal expenses, and any travel costs outside the summer school program. The organizer will provide the following support: 1.Tuition fee waiver for teams invited to attend the summer program. 2.A stipend for accommodation and local transportation. 3.Working facilities support, including access to classrooms and maker lab equipment, smart hardware, and necessary consumables.

Organizers and Contact Information

Hosted by: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University Organized by: Art and Technology Innovation Base (ATI), Tsinghua University Contact Person: International Summer Program Working Group, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University Contact Email: raq@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn


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