This past January, Christina Hnatov, Academy Experience and Curriculum Designer, and TLS Alum and friend of the Academy, Gerald Suarez, embarked on a two-week experiential learning adventure through Barcelona and Madrid, Spain. Their mission? To co-facilitate BGMT469E, crafting an unforgettable, hands-on exploration of design concepts with a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of UMD students.
From the bustling plazas to the quiet intricacies of historical architecture, Christina and Gerald curated an experience that challenged students to slow down, observe, and truly engage with the world around them. They weren’t just tourists; hey were detectives of design, peeling back the layers of their surroundings to uncover the intentional choices shaping everyday spaces. Christina was struck by how quickly the students embraced this noticing mindset—once they started looking, they couldn’t stop. Curiosity sharpened their senses, turning ordinary streets into interactive classrooms and cityscapes into canvases of inspiration and discovery.
Beyond observation, the experience sparked deeper discussions about the power of design—how it influences behavior, emotions, and even the culture of a place. As the days unfolded, students grew more attuned to their environments, asking questions to uncover the stories behind what they saw, and deepening their appreciation for the intentionality of enduring design. Through immersion, repeated practice, and collaborative exploration, they not only honed their skills but also began considering how these lessons might apply to their varied professional interests, translating inspiration into mindsets and practices that will extend far beyond Spain.
By the end of the journey, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a course—it was a transformation. The group returned home with more than memories; they carried a lasting lesson on noticing, sense-making, and experimentation and a heightened appreciation for the impact of design in their daily lives.
The cities became the classroom, with lessons to be found everywhere the class went, and discussions happening wherever there was a bit of free space.
Visiting La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, to learn about biomimicry.