‘Visual journals’ capture international-study experiences
An engaging exhibition, which brings together visual journals belonging to students who participated in the UC Davis design study-abroad program, opens on Jan. 21 at the UC Davis Design Museum.
“Visual Journals: 2010-2024” is a partnership between the UC Davis departments of design and global affairs. The installation runs through April 25.
Visual journals are like traditional travel diaries, but instead of written entries, they contain sketches, hand lettering, photographs, magazine cutouts, and printed ephemera. Even dirt, waste, and stains are acceptable if they visually capture feelings, thoughts, and ideas. During the four-week UC Davis Design in Europe study abroad program, students keep a visual journal that responds to the prompt “What is European Design and Culture?”
Design in Europe has created a memorable educational and international travel experience for over 300 students. Traversing the length of Britain with week-long stops in the Netherlands and, more recently, Iceland, students tackle design projects with local organizations that are socially and community-engaged.
Student teams generate ideas, study the methods used to display and interpret a depth of historical and contemporary material unique to Europe, and develop design solutions to entertain, inform, and inspire diverse audiences across various public environments, settings, and venues. Their experiences formed the basis of their visual journals.
“This exhibit is an exciting way to celebrate the creativity and growth that students experience when they immerse themselves in the world. These journals tell vivid stories of exploration, collaboration, and the transformative journeys hundreds of students have had through the Design in Europe program. It’s a great reminder of how global learning inspires fresh perspectives, fuels innovation, and forges lasting connections with people and places,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs.
“Visual Journals” will have an opening reception on Jan 22 4-6 p.m. in the UC Davis International Center which features part of the exhibition in its lobby. The exhibition is on at view at the Center Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Design Museum is in 124 Cruess Hall and open Monday–Friday, noon–4 p.m. Admission is free. To schedule a weekend appointment (Sunday 2–4 p.m. only), arrange a group visit, or for further information please call (530) 752-6150 or email the museum at designmuseum@ucdavis.edu.
The Design Museum in the Department of Design is part of the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis.