Creative Paris

Independence

Trip price

Trip duration

Level 5 and 6 Graphic Design BA (Hons) and Ilustration with Graphic Design BA (Hons) students are eligible to apply. There is a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

Trip description

Paris is a thriving hub for the creative industries. It is home to both internationally recognised agencies and emerging practitioners exploring innovative and experimental design approaches. The city also hosts cultural institutions with world-class reputations. Building on four years of experience delivering DMU Global trips across Europe, this Paris programme has been designed to provide a rich, design-focused experience that exposes students to a broad spectrum of creative disciplines and potential future career pathways.  

Students will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of creative venues through guided tours, studio visits, and practitioner-led discussions. These visits will be carefully selected to represent a broad cross-section of professional practice, with particular relevance to graphic design and illustration, encompassing museums, galleries, design agencies, print workshops, and independent creative practitioners. 

There will be several key guided tours of cultural institutions including: 

• Palais de Tokyo (contemporary art and design) 

• 59 Rivoli (artist studios and gallery) 

• Street Art Tour Paris (street art) 

In addition, there will be studio visits with industry experts such as:  

• MM Paris (global creative agency) 

• Fanette Mellier (independent book designer and illustrator) 

• Quintal (independent print workshop and publisher) 

Programme Note: The programme will be finalised closer to the trip dates and specific venues may change subject to availability. However, the overall balance of guided cultural visits and professional studio engagements will be maintained. In addition to the core itinerary, a range of optional activities will be incorporated into the schedule to encourage students to engage more deeply with everyday life in Paris and to develop a broader understanding of the city’s cultural, social, and creative landscape. 

Students will be required to pay an additional £50 to cover the cost of activities and visits.

Learning objectives

A key objective of the trip is to provide students with an immersive experience that enhances their university-based learning. By engaging with innovative creative industries and cultural institutions relevant to their fields of study, students will develop a deeper understanding of their professional context, be encouraged to position their practice within an international landscape, and have opportunities to network with other practitioners. Drawing inspiration from the work of other creatives and questioning different approaches, they will strengthen their critical thinking and develop creative solutions that can inform their studio work and support their professional growth.

The trip also offers students the opportunity to travel abroad as a group, providing a unique chance to build stronger connections with their peers and a supportive environment to develop their confidence and curiosity in navigating unfamiliar settings and engaging with a different culture.

In addition, a pre-trip presentation will provide students with a briefing on the Creative Paris design journal, which they will use to collect references, source material, and inspiration to support their studio work. The session will also include background information and insights into the practitioners, institutions, and exhibitions they will visit. A post-trip presentation will allow students to share their design journals and reflect on their findings and experiences.

Skill development

This opportunity has been designed to help develop the following DMU Graduate Attributes:

Creativity

Confidence

Critical Thinking

Communication & Networking

Cultural activities

Paris is a vibrant and culturally rich city, offering students countless opportunities to explore world-renowned museums, galleries, and creative spaces beyond the core programme. To complement the organised studio visits and guided tours, a schedule of optional cultural activities will be provided, allowing students to experience the city’s distinctive atmosphere and artistic heritage. Students may choose to join staff-led excursions or explore independently, visiting renowned institutions such as the Musée du Louvre, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient and Renaissance art; the Musée d’Orsay, celebrated for its Impressionist and Art Nouveau masterpieces; the Musée de la Vie Romantique, dedicated to the Romantic movement; the Musée Carnavalet, which explores the history of Paris; and the immersive digital exhibitions of the Atelier des Lumières. Students may also wish to explore a variety of smaller museums devoted to influential artists including Monet, Dalí, Picasso, and Banksy.

Beyond its museums, Paris offers a wealth of architectural, historical, and outdoor experiences that provide further insight into the city’s culture and creative identity. Highlights include visits to the Fondation Le Corbusier, preserving the legacy of one of the twentieth century’s most influential architects, and the striking Grande Mosquée de Paris, renowned for its architecture and gardens. Students interested in urban creativity can explore the street art districts of the 13th Arrondissement and Butte-aux-Cailles or the vibrant neighbourhood of Belleville, both recognised for their dynamic public art. For those seeking green spaces and alternative perspectives on the city, the scenic Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offers dramatic landscapes and panoramic views, while La Petite Ceinture provides a unique urban walking route along a former circular railway, revealing a different side of Parisian life.