Between July 13th and 18th, 2025, the doors of the old UMPRUM building were once again opened to the public, this time with a slight feeling of nostalgia – given the upcoming renovation, it was one of the last opportunities to experience the unique atmosphere of the old building. As is tradition, Artsemestr presented the final projects of all studios school-wide. Each studio approached the exhibition individually, yet they were united by a common effort to explore contemporary questions – about how we exist, create, and engage with the world around us.

Studio of Architecture I

Students of the Architecture Studio I focused on the city of Ústí nad Labem. Using the medium of film, they sought out and depicted specific ecological and social injustice sites. The resulting works explored the city as a tool for improving the quality of life.

Studio of Architecture II

The theme The C-Word in Architecture led the students to explore the relationship between architecture, housing, and class structures. Over the course of the semester, they worked step by step on a series of assignments – from designing a social board game, through a fictional real estate agency of classes, to designing an apartment building. The final exhibition presented the culmination of the semester’s work on the theme.

Studio of Architecture III

The theme Urban Vision 10000 focused on urban visions that encompass not only people, but also microorganisms, animals, and plants. Students designed expansions of the cities of Jindřichův Hradec and Ružomberok as functional, living ecosystems.

Studio of Architecture IV

The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Liberated Theatre and the 120th anniversary of the birth of Voskovec and Werich became the starting point for the design of theatre buildings. The final projects focused on the detailed design of a theatre stage, incorporating typological elements characteristic of this type of cultural space.

Studio of Industrial Design

Students of Industrial Design, as per tradition, worked on assignments according to their year of study. They tackled a variety of tasks, ranging from form studies to the design of functional accessories for pets. The final projects included, among other things, designs for harnesses, enclosures, and various enrichment items for four-legged friends.

Studio of furniture and interior design

The Furniture and Interior Design Studio, together with the Rückl glass company, presented the project VOSKLE, in which the students were not tasked with presenting a new product, but rather a story rewritten into the form of glass objects.

Studio of Product Design

Students of the Product Design Studio undertook a variety of different assignments. Alongside designing drinkware for the Květná 1794 glass company and conducting research on textile recycling, the final projects focused on designing folding furniture, with an emphasis on producing functional prototypes.

Studio of Fine Art I

Under the title Země Za / Afterland, site-specific installations and performances were created for the GAMPA gallery in Pardubice. The final exhibitions were based on the experiences gained during this field project.

Studio of Fine Art II

Embodiment and narratives connected to the body formed the main focus of the semester. The final projects were open-ended assignments, allowing students to develop their artistic voices.

Studio of Fine Art III

The assignment No Limits, All Dreams had students respond to algorithmic control systems that influence our perception, thinking, and dreaming.

Studio of Fine Art IV

The theme Ways of Being according to James Bridle led to reflections on different forms of intelligence and existence. During the final project period, students were then given space for open-ended creation.

Visiting Artist Studio

Under the title Obíhačka kolem židlí v uzamčené místnosti (Musical Chairs in a Locked Room), multimedia works were created throughout the semester. The choice of final project topics was left open to each student.

Studio of Glass

Style and its interpretation. Students selected glass companies or other high-quality design brands, whose styles they analyzed and interpreted in their work. The results were original designs that built upon the DNA of the specific company.

Studio of Ceramics and Porcelain

Dreaming as a starting point. Final projects reflected on DREAMS as desires, hallucinations, and projections— results were introspective objects that articulated subjective experiences.

Studio of Concept – Object – Meaning (K.O.V.)

Food as a cultural object and medium. Students created artifacts on a given theme, which they then used in performative events that explored the habits and rituals associated with consumption.

Studio of Fashion Design

In collaboration with the Lobkowicz collections, a continuation of the Eternity of the Present collection was created. Building on a model designed in the previous semester, the students produced three new designs ranging from ready-to-wear to demi-couture, which together formed a cohesive collection.

Studio of Fashion and Footwear Design

Just like the Product Design Studio, students of Fashion and Footwear Design addressed the issue of textile waste from the collections of Diakonie Broumov. The Upcycling Statement assignment thus involved transforming old garments. The result was collections with an emphasis on quality and sustainability.

Studio of Textile Design

Textile flags exploring the journeys of crops in Spain formed the basis of the semester’s assignment. As part of the Water Parliaments collaboration, they were later exhibited at the Venice Biennale. For their final project, the students created a tapestry dedicated to the school’s 140th anniversary, with motifs reflecting the themes of interest of each student.

Studio of Illustration and Graphics

Illustrations for a literary magazine, drawn reportages, or the Bookpeople project – this semester was once again packed. The final project then focused on creating an original book combining illustrations and text.

Studio of Type Design and Typography

The Type Design and Typography Studio focused on redesigning three important literary periodicals – A2, Souvislosti, and Host. In collaboration with the Illustration and Graphics Studio and directly with the individual editorial teams, new designs for layout, typography, and overall visual identity were created. The final project, titled The Boundaries of Literary Text, then opened up space for original creative work.

Studio of Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Thinking in images was transformed, in the final stage, into Thinking in text. The result was posters, texts, and diagrams that reflected the students’ semester-long work in a new light.

Studio of Animation and Film

This year’s final projects from the Animation Studio showcased original works that ranged from animated reportage to music videos.

Studio of Graphic Design and New Media

Alongside the Critique in Graphic Design assignment, completed in any chosen form or medium, the studio also presented broadcasts from Radio202, which became a lively platform for experimentation and collaboration.

Studio of Photography II

The summer semester was marked by short-term assignments responding to specific environments and themes. This gave rise to a variety of original topics, such as Shop Windows, Decomposition, Paradise, and Elegance. The outcomes took the form of photographs, objects, and installations working with the medium of the image. The final project, Still Life – Free Inspiration, was created in collaboration with Elle Decoration magazine and reflected on the concept of still life in contemporary visual language.

Studio of Design and Digital Technologies

The DDT Studio collaborated with the Prague Planetarium. The theme Micro / Macro Cosmos was realized using a specific technology for the LED Dome, bringing the space in the new dome to life.

Visual Arts

International students in the Visual Arts program focused on the theme Fun After Work. Through installations, animations, and videos, they explored the fine line between productivity and relaxation.

The report for UMPRUM Online was prepared by Karla Kislingerová (Textile Studio)

Photography: Jan Merc, Miriam Pružincová

Studio of Architecture II

Studio of Architecture III

The theme Urban Vision 10000 focused on urban visions that encompass not only people, but also microorganisms, animals, and plants. Students designed expansions of the cities of Jindřichův Hradec and Ružomberok as functional, living ecosystems.

Studio of Fine Art II

Dreaming as a starting point. Final projects reflected on DREAMS as desires, hallucinations, and projections— results were introspective objects that articulated subjective experiences.

Studio of Fashion and Footwear Design

Studio of Textile Design

Studio of Type Design and Typography

The Type Design and Typography Studio focused on redesigning three important literary periodicals – A2, Souvislosti, and Host. In collaboration with the Illustration and Graphics Studio and directly with the individual editorial teams, new designs for layout, typography, and overall visual identity were created. The final project, titled The Boundaries of Literary Text, then opened up space for original creative work.

Studio of Graphic Design and Visual Communication

International students in the Visual Arts program focused on the theme Fun After Work. Through installations, animations, and videos, they explored the fine line between productivity and relaxation.