Jules Riché, course coordinator at the Brazil Studio
The Brazil Studio has been welcoming students to Sao Paulo since 2017 to take the "International Design Strategy" Masters program, a multicultural course taught in English and Portuguese.
Tell me about your background
I'm a design graduate from L'École de design Nantes Atlantique. I first worked as a bespoke furniture designer for an interior architect in Paris, then I did retail for many clothing brands mainly. Finally, I worked as a designer in an architect's practice on the Brittany coast before coming back to L'École de design Nantes Atlantique as the coordinator of the Brazil studio.
What are the specific features of Brazil Studio?
This training program addresses several major social and cultural issues such as urban planning, mobility, waste management, culture, education or health from an international strategy perspective anchored in the Brazilian context (high population density, social disparity, multiculturalism, heritage and local crafts).
This program, conducted in partnership with the prestigious Mackenzie University founded in 1870, is taught in the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Who can take this course?
Students who have validated three years of design studies, at L'École de design Nantes Atlantique or elsewhere, can join this Masters program, regardless of their original field of design studies. Upon successful completion, this Masters program leads to a 5-year design degree approved by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, which recently obtained the "Master's degree" accreditation.
How is the international dimension reflected in this program?
The Brazil Studio students benefit from a long-term and complete cultural immersion, which allows them to discover, understand and master the methodologies of Design Thinking and service design in an environment different from that of a master's degree in France.
Immersed in a rich cultural context, they are encouraged to develop their project in English as part of the program while actively practicing Portuguese in their daily lives and through their professional experiences (internships, projects in partnership).
What types of projects do students work on?
The Brazil Studio curriculum offers various projects and workshops organized in partnership with companies operating in Brazil. These case studies allow students to experience real and concrete issues.
Brazil Studio has collaborated with companies such as Accor, Chandon, Costa Cruises, PSA (and now Stellantis), Clear Channel and also local companies such as Suvinil, Appito, Mercy for Animals or We Fab.
How are the two years of the Masters program organized?
After an integration seminar, students complete a 4 to 6 month internship in Brazil and then join the Brazil Studio where they learn about Design Thinking and service design through several learning formats.
Short and long projects or workshops allow students to adopt different work speeds during the second semester of the first year of the Masters program. At the same time, students develop their end of studies project and dissertation topics, which are rooted in the Brazilian context.
In the second year, students develop their end of studies project and dissertation independently, with weekly supervision sessions. During the last semester, they do a 6-month internship in a company in Brazil or elsewhere in the world!
What are the career prospects for students who graduate from the Brazil Studio?
During the two-year program, students approach economic and environmental issues through a different cultural lens and acquire new skills.
While their ability to adapt, which is absolutely essential in design, gives them a real edge on the job market and makes them highly sought after by companies, not all Brazil Studio graduates end up pursuing an international career. They can use their ability to take a step back as freelance designers, entrepreneurs, in-house designers or in the field of research.
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