In this June issue of Coffee Time, we present École de design Nantes Atlantique (EDNA)!
A pioneer in addressing the shift in technological, societal and environmental contexts, this design school has a unique position, considering design as a strategic discipline at the service of a responsible and sustainable world.
EDNA’s Montreal studio is on the premises of Centech and welcomes around 20 new students each year to participate in the International Design Strategy program and earn their master’s degree. This is a unique training experience for future designers, who get to work with and for startups and companies in the Centech innovation ecosystem.
” They come here with their bachelor’s degree in design, and once they’re in Montreal, they’re trained to become designers ready for the job market. What makes the difference is the level of reflection, vision, projection and innovation that they can put into their projects. That’s the first step towards becoming a professional. They get to step back and take a comprehensive look at their design practices. That helps them identify key aspects and take into consideration the social, environmental, user-related, functionality and design issues. Working in a company gives them their first taste of post-student life and makes them more independent.
They’re also called upon to collaborate with various professions. That allows them to dive into a professional world outside their comfort zone and to work with other perspectives than a designer’s perspective. The advantage of being in Quebec and in the heart of Centech is that the startup teams trust them and give them with a lot of responsibility. That helps students build confidence as professionals and test out the market. Being paired up with an entrepreneur gives them a direct, inside look at how startups work. ”
