Pordenone Design Week 2026

Last week, from 2 to 6 March 2026, Assist. Prof. Mojca Perše and Senior Lecturer Petra Kocjančič took part in the international workshops held at ISIA Roma Design Pordenone Design Week 2026 in Italy. The workshops were organised within the framework of the BIP – Blended Intensive Programme, under the theme Low Density Design.

The workshops were also attended by third-year Interior Design students from the Faculty of Design: Taja Pavlič, Ema Kolenc, Daša Vedernjak, Apsara Markun, and Tjaša Dolar. In addition to our faculty, mentors and students from Finland, France, Spain, and Lithuania also participated. Altogether, six countries, nine mentors, and approximately 25 students took part, creating an intensive international environment for the exchange of knowledge and experience.

The aim of the workshops was to explore research, design development, and international collaboration in the field of metaproject development. These metaprojects focus on investigating self-produced design as an expression of local culture and craftsmanship, which, through the use of accessible digital and analogue production technologies, can offer an alternative to the homogeneity of global consumer culture. The students developed small- to medium-scale metaprojects, employing simple technologies such as laser cutting, CNC machining, cutting and bending, as well as accessible materials including wood, metal, paper, and textiles.

The research process unfolded across several thematic areas that encouraged students to experiment with materials, techniques, and design processes: blowing, engraving, folding, weaving, and assembling. The concept promotes strong formal and conceptual exploration, while restoring significant cultural and ideological value to objects.

These international workshops provided the students with a valuable experience of working within an international design environment, exchanging ideas, and developing new approaches to contemporary design.

Participating institutions:
ISIA Roma Design – Italy (organiser)
Faculty of Design – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Savonia University of Applied Sciences – Kuopio, Finland
Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès – France
Kaunas University of Technology – Kaunas, Lithuania
Escola d’Art i Superior de Disseny de Castelló – Castellón, Spain