Joanna Wojtaszek -
podcast #23 of the series "Foundations"
The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:
In the next episode of the "Foundations" podcast, we recall the experiences of Joanna Wojtaszek from the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw. Joanna talks about her Erasmus international exchange trip, life in Portugal and how such an experience influences her professional and personal development.
Why Portugal?
For a long time Joanna dreamed of going abroad. The choice fell on the small, artistic town of Caldas da Rainha and the Escola Superior de Artes e Design university. The direction of "spatial design" was the closest to her Polish studies of interior design, and an additional factor was the climate, the ocean and the opportunity to live in a new culture as a resident rather than a tourist.
life in an artistic town
Caldas da Rainha is a place where the ceramic tradition can be seen in architecture, parks and public spaces. The entire town is alive thanks to the creativity of the students - they organize festivals, concerts and a week-long art event where they open their homes to residents, presenting art, performances, concerts and various community initiatives. Joanna stresses that this experience teaches students cooperation, creativity and impact on the local community.
study and workshop work
Classes in Portugal are heavily hands-on - students spend time in workshops, creating mock-ups, installations and design stands, which they then present to local residents. Joanna valued this approach because she could see the results of her work right away and develop her manual skills. In addition, she was able to learn new graphics programs and packaging design issues, which was not part of her program in Poland.
The balance between studies and free time
Joanna notes the perfect balance between studies and free time - she had a few days a week to herself, which she devoted to sightseeing, surfing and discovering new passions. Such an experience allowed her to develop not only professionally, but also personally, becoming more independent and open to new experiences.
Joanna emphasizes that the trip allowed her to broaden her horizons, discover new passions and gain experiences that influence the way she designs and approaches her work as an interior designer. Studying in Portugal complemented her education in Poland, giving her new perspectives, practical skills and the courage to be creative.
Aleksandra Skorupa
Maria Cipinska
Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series:
20. Karol Mitręga on studying architecture in Kielce and designing with a mission
21 From studies to practice. Martyna Chudalewska on her first experiences as an architect
22. Alicja Kwiotkowska about studying architecture in Gliwice
