News & Events - General

Students from the College’s Foundation Degree and Foundation Diploma in Art and Design travelled to the vibrant city of Barcelona recently. The 45 students were given a brief to record and respond to the city’s dynamic heritage, exploring both its tradition and contemporary visual culture.

The overseas trips have been part of the Foundation Diploma course at Kingston College for nearly ten years. They have evolved and grown over the years and are vital in helping students develop their knowledge across many art and design specialisms.  Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Catalunya vibrates with life and was the perfect destination. 

Eleni Roumanis, a Foundation Degree student said of her experience: “Barcelona is a great city for inspiration and ideas... so much is familiar, and yet at the same time so different.  I especially loved the Barri Gòtic quarter, with its mix of ancient streets and top end boutiques.  The clash of old and new really made me think in a different way about my own work.”

Rob Miller, Art and Design Foundation Degree Course Leader, who accompanied the students, commented: “A thriving port and prosperous commercial centre of three million people, Barcelona is almost impossible to exhaust, and even in a lengthy visit will only scrape the surface. It’s a great city which inspired the students during the cold and dark month of January, particularly with university interviews looming and creativity flagging. The rich modernista architecture, the vibrant food markets packed with delicacies, and the edgy Gothic quarter all went to make the 2010 study trip one to truly remember!”