Within the framework of the new accreditation of the Master’s program, the course Cross-Cultural Design & Design Management – led by Prof. Dr. Marina-Elena Wachs – will continue in the winter semester 2025/26, this time with an international focus and the key theme ‘WATER – cultural behaviour in fashion, textile design & architecture’.
The module explores how water influences cultural identity, rituals, and design practices worldwide. Students will work at the interdisciplinary intersection of fashion and textile design, architecture, and design management, reflecting on cultural behaviour and cross-cultural integration.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) – the course challenges students to rethink materials, production systems, and sustainable design strategies.
With a knowledge-building approach, the course strengthens self-management, self-coaching, and complex problem-solving. Assignments include textile sample development, conceptual fashion design – with excursus to landscape/-architecture on choice - , cross-cultural research, storytelling, and strategic brand development, all of which are integrated into the final submission in January 2026.
The course encourages students to collaborate across cultures and disciplines, designing for a future where water is understood not only as a resource but as a driver of creativity, identity, and social responsibility.
Info in addition: This course is recommended to combine with the course of election of ‘COIL-Design Project’, that gives opportunity to deepen international learning and designing cross cultural.
Questions or interest? Contact Prof. Dr. Wachs – cross-cultural learning can open new perspectives for your own design solutions!
Contact: Prof. Dr. Marina-Elena Wachs
