Erasmus+ Programme Supported a Joint Design Workshop for Students from FMK and Jerusalem
26. May 2026From 17–22 May 2026, an international product design workshop took place at EGOÉ, bringing together design students and lecturers from the Faculty of Multimedia Communications at Tomas Bata University in Zlín and the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design (BAAD) in Jerusalem. The workshop involved five industrial design students from Jerusalem, three product design students and two industrial design students from Zlín. Academic supervision was provided by Prof Safi Hefetz (BAAD), Associate Professor Vladimír Kovařík, Associate Professor René Baďura (FMK), and EGOÉ designer MgA Tibor Ďuriš.
The workshop programme focused on intensive teamwork, the development of creative thinking, and the design of product concepts within the real working environment of EGOÉ.
The opening part of the workshop was dedicated to a visit to Zlín. Participants toured the university, the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts with the exhibition Less is More, and the permanent exhibition devoted to the history and contemporary state of design.
The main part of the workshop took place from 19 to 21 May 2026 at EGOÉ’s premises in Bílovice. Students first attended a guided tour of the company’s facilities and then worked through brainstorming sessions to define themes and design approaches. They subsequently divided into three international teams, within which they developed alternative design solutions.
An important part of the process consisted of ongoing presentations of work in progress, joint consultations, and feedback sessions on the individual proposals. Based on this feedback, the most promising concepts from each team were selected and further refined into final designs. The final day of the workshop was devoted to preparing presentations, producing models, and presenting the outcomes to representatives of EGOÉ and members of the FMK leadership.
The workshop provided students with valuable experience in teamwork, communication, and collaboration with industry professionals. The international nature of the meeting also created space for sharing different cultural and creative approaches, while confirming the importance of connecting academic environments with professional practice.
The programme also included a visit to Brno and selected institutions focused on design and applied arts, including the Moravian Gallery in Brno and the Krásná jizba exhibition, which showcases design inspired by traditional craftsmanship.
The workshop was organised thanks to the Erasmus+ KA171 mobility project, which supports international cooperation between higher education institutions and countries outside the European Union. Its successful implementation has opened opportunities for further international collaboration, with the aim of continuing joint creative activities and presenting the resulting works in a future collaborative exhibition project.