2027 CCS Study Abroad

Bauhaus to Brand

Berlin

Weimar

May 31 – June 14, 2027

$4,750

Itinerary

Nuremberg

Program Overview

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Program Rational

This program reflects CCS’s commitment to developing globally literate, agile creatives and its goal of experiential learning. It will appeal to students in fashion, accessories, communication design, and interdisciplinary practices.

This interdisciplinary study abroad program is rooted in the evolving identity of the global fashion professional. Over fifteen days in three cities, the experience offers CCS students immersive exposure to fashion culture, retail ecosystems, and hands-on product development.

“Thinking to Making” The curriculum supports CCS's evolving pedagogical goal- including piloting methodologies for a new BA program- and introduces the role of the “fashion brand architect”: a designer grounded in cultural fluency, trend awareness, and purposeful product thinking.

We begin in Berlin with a look at the fashion infrastructure, allowing students to explore street style, brand identity, and merchandising strategy through real-time observation, agency partnerships, and design fieldwork.

Next, we relocate to Bauhaus University in Weimar for studio practice, where research insights are translated into prototypes. Workshops emphasize design with purpose, material exploration, and storytelling. 

And finally we train to Nuremberg, The final portion of the program transforms students' concepts into finished products while connecting them with professionals from Germany's footwear industry. We visit Puma HQ and get a “hands on” work shop at Schuhmanufaktur where you come away with a pair of sandals made by you.

Program Outcomes

By the conclusion of the program, students will have:

  • Studied contemporary and historical German design.

  • Applied Bauhaus design principles.

  • Developed and manufactured footwear components.

  • Experienced professional manufacturing processes.

  • Engaged directly with industry professionals.

  • Built portfolio-quality work informed by international design practice.

Learning Focus

  • Brand heritage

  • Product storytelling

  • Professional design workflow

  • Footwear manufacturing

  • Sustainable production methods

Bauhaus to Brand

15 Days · Berlin · Weimar · Nuremberg · 3 Credits

May 31 – June 14, 2027 · Open to all majors

Curriculum Overview

Educational Progression

Berlin

Inspiration & Creative Exploration

Weimar

Design Thinking & Product Development

Nuremberg

Manufacturing, Industry & Professional Practice

Travel Dates

Program fee: $4,750. CCS tuition ($450) billed separately by the college.

Program length: 15 days, 14 nights, 11 teaching days

Dates: May 31 – June 14, 2027

Day 0 | Travel to Germany

Days 1–5 | Berlin

Theme: Contemporary Fashion, Creativity & Cultural Exploration

Berlin introduces students to Germany's vibrant creative culture through fashion, design, and independent thinking.

Highlights

  • Welcome and program orientation

  • BLESS Studio – Design workshop and discussion with one of Germany's most influential experimental fashion studios (pending confirmation)

  • Explore Berlin's fashion and creative districts

  • Museum visits focusing on contemporary art, design, or fashion

  • Evening group discussions and sketchbook assignments

Learning Focus

  • Contemporary fashion practice

  • Independent design thinking

  • Creative research and visual documentation

Paid separately by the student:

  • Airfare (into Berlin, home from Frankfurt) · meals beyond the three group

  • dinners · CCS tuition ($450, billed by CCS) · train to Frankfurt airport on departure day · passport + ETIAS ·

  • personal spending

Program fee:

  • $4,750 — covers lodging, in-country ground transport, workshops, museum entries, city tours, 3 city celebration dinners.

Days 6–9 | Weimar

Theme: Bauhaus Design Principles

Students immerse themselves in the birthplace of modern design while developing concepts that will later be transformed into physical footwear.

Highlights

  • Visit the Bauhaus Museum

  • Faculty-led drawing and visual communication workshop

  • Product design workshop focused on preparing footwear uppers

  • Walking tour of historic Weimar

Learning Focus

  • Bauhaus philosophy

  • Design fundamentals

  • Sketching and product development

  • Preparing components for manufacturing

Days 10–14 | Nuremberg · Day 15 departure

Theme: From Design to Manufacturing

The final portion of the program transforms students' concepts into finished products while connecting them with professionals from Germany's footwear industry.

Puma Headquarters (Herzogenaurach)

Students explore one of the world's leading athletic footwear companies through:

  • Archive tour

  • Design presentation

  • Career discussion with Puma designers

  • Studio design brief inspired by archival products

Schuhmanufaktur Nürnberg

Students participate in hands-on footwear production, including:

  • Leather selection

  • Upper assembly

  • Cork foot-bed construction

  • Logo embossing

  • Finishing techniques