The École nationale supérieure des arts Décoratifs

The École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (EnsAD), located in the heart of Paris, has for many years been recognised as one of the leading schools for training the best visual artists and designers. With a rich tradition and international reputation, it attracts talented students from all over the world who aspire to push back the boundaries of creativity and become key players in the design industry. In this article, we look at why EnsAD is considered a school of choice for training the best designers. The École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (EnsAD), located in the heart of Paris, has for many years been recognised as one of the leading schools for training the best visual artists and designers. With a rich tradition and international reputation, it attracts talented students from all over the world who aspire to push back the boundaries of creativity and become key players in the design industry. In this article, we look at why EnsAD is considered a school of choice for training the best designers. École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. © dev.ensad.fr EnsAD is recognised as a benchmark school for training the best designers because of several key factors. Firstly, the school has an exceptional history and expertise in the decorative arts. Founded in 1766, it has adapted to changes in the design industry over the centuries, while maintaining its commitment to artistic excellence and the pursuit of innovation. EnsAD is recognised as a benchmark school for training the best designers because of several key factors. Firstly, the school has an exceptional history and expertise in the decorative arts. Founded in 1766, it has adapted to changes in the design industry over the centuries, while maintaining its commitment to artistic excellence and the pursuit of innovation. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879), the famous French architect renowned for his medieval restorations, taught at the 'Petite école' for drawing, which later became the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. His teaching methods were at the origin of the development of Art Nouveau. culturezvous.com Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879), the famous French architect known for his medieval restorations, taught at the "Petite école" de dessin, which later became the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. His teaching methods were at the origin of the development of Art Nouveau. culturezvous.com Hector Guimard (1867-1942), a major figure in French Art Nouveau, was a student at the EnsAD. dartagnans.fr Hector Guimard (1867-1942), a major figure in French Art Nouveau, was a student at EnsAD. dartagnans.fr Hector Guimard, a famous Art Nouveau architect, designed the entrances to the Paris metro at the beginning of the 20th century. Here, the Édicule model, the entrance nicknamed "La libellule". Lesyeuxdargus.files.wordpress.com Hector Guimard, the famous Art Nouveau architect, designed the entrances to the Paris metro at the beginning of the 20th century. Here, the Édicule model, the entrance nicknamed "La libellule". © lesyeuxdargus.files.wordpress.com This adaptation is reflected in certain decisive choices. In 1962, Jacques Adnet, a renowned architect and designer who was then director of the school, brought in Roger Tallon, considered to be the father of French industrial design, to create what was to become the 1st industrial design course in France. A few years later, the graphic artist Jean Widmer, the famous designer of the Centre Pompidou 'logo', brought about a similar upheaval in the teaching of 'graphic arts', which was transformed into 'visual communication'. This adaptation was reflected in a number of decisive choices. In 1962, Jacques Adnet, a renowned architect and designer who was then director of the school, brought in Roger Tallon, considered to be the father of French industrial design, to create what was to become the 1st industrial design course in France. A few years later, the graphic artist Jean Widmer, the famous designer of the Centre Pompidou's 'logo', brought about a similar upheaval in the teaching of 'graphic arts', which were transformed into 'visual communication'. Roger Tallon (1929-2011), "the man behind the TGV". In the 1980s and 1990s, he designed the TGV Atlantique, the TGV Duplex and the Eurostar © Les Arts décoratifs, Paris Roger Tallon (1929-2011), "the man behind the TGV". In the 1980s and 1990s, he designed the TGV Atlantique, the TGV Duplex and the Eurostar © Les Arts décoratifs, Paris Poster "Design français" for the Centre de Création Industrielle in Paris designed by Jean Widmer, 1971 © La Bibliothèque des Arts - Lausanne 2007 Poster "Design français" for the Centre de Création Industrielle in Paris designed by Jean Widmer, 1971 © La Bibliothèque des Arts - Lausanne 2007 In 2019, the Centre Pompidou has changed its logo, originally designed by Jean Widmer (1929). It has been reduced from 6 to 5 stripes. Ironic, given that this was the designer's original proposal! Rafael Pic In 2019, the Centre Pompidou has changed its logo, originally designed by Jean Widmer (1929). It has been reduced from 6 to 5 stripes. Ironic, given that this was the designer's original proposal! Rafael Pic EnsAD offers a stimulating learning environment that encourages freedom of expression and creativity. Students benefit from a balance between theory and practice, exploring various design disciplines such as graphic design, object design, textile and material design, and clothing design. Of the 10 specialities taught in a core curriculum at the start of the academic year, 4 are design-related. This holistic approach to education allows students to develop a deep understanding of design as a whole, while honing their specific skills in their area of interest. EnsAD offers a stimulating learning environment that encourages freedom of expression and creativity. Students benefit from a balance between theory and practice, exploring various design disciplines such as graphic design, object design, textile and material design, and clothing design. Of the 10 specialities taught in a core curriculum at the start of the academic year, 4 are design-related. This holistic approach to education enables students to develop a deep understanding of design as a whole, while honing their specific skills in their area of interest. Red Model 770 armchair from the 1950s, designed by Joseph-André Motte for Steiner. A leading figure in post-war French design, Joseph-André Motte (1925-2013) taught for 30 years at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs. Steiner Red Model 770 armchair from the 1950s, designed by Joseph-André Motte for Steiner. A leading figure in French post-war design, Joseph-André Motte (1925-2013) taught at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs for 30 years. In addition, EnsAD maintains close links with the design industry, offering students numerous opportunities for internships and collaborations with renowned companies. These partnerships enable students to put their skills into practice and develop a solid professional network right from the start of their career. Another strength of the school is its network of eminent professors and recognised experts in the field of design. These teachers play a crucial role in training the school's best designers. In addition, EnsAD maintains close links with the design industry, offering students numerous opportunities for internships and collaborations with renowned companies. These partnerships enable students to put their skills into practice and develop a solid professional network right from the start of their career. Another strength of the school is its network of eminent professors and recognised experts in the field of design. These teachers play a crucial role in training the school's best designers. View of "The Lost Graduation Show", organised in 2021 at the Milan Furniture Fair. It will showcase student projects dealing with sustainability, social awareness and design ethics. In this demanding selection, 6 projects by EnsAD students were chosen. Luca Quagliato View of "The Lost Graduation Show", organised in 2021 at the Milan Furniture Fair. It will showcase student projects that deal with sustainability, social awareness and the ethics of design. In this demanding selection, 6 projects by EnsAD students were chosen. Luca Quagliato What makes EnsAD so special for an apprentice designer? Surely the opportunity to learn and design at the frontiers of several disciplines, in a school where creativity abounds. What school over two hundred years old can boast of having trained so many different talents at the crossroads of the arts and architecture/design? No other in France... The list of creative people trained at this famous institution is breathtaking, both in terms of the names and the variety of careers embraced, with one thing in common: creativity! What makes EnsAD so special for an apprentice designer? Surely the opportunity to learn and design at the frontiers of several disciplines, in a school where creativity abounds. What school over two hundred years old can boast of having trained so many different talents at the crossroads of the arts and architecture/design? No other in France... The list of creative people trained at this famous institution is breathtaking, both in terms of the names and the variety of careers embraced, with one thing in common: creativity! Judge for yourself: Auguste Rodin, one of the fathers of modern sculpture; Henri Matisse, leader of fauvism and a major artistic figure of the 20th century; architects Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Charles Garnier and Hector Guimard; designers Marcel Gascoin, Pierre Guariche and Pascal Mourgue ; contemporary visual artists Pierre Huyghe, Annette Messager, Anne and Patrick Poirier, Xavier Veilhan and Camille Henrot; comic strip artist Jacques Tardi; French advertising film director Jean-Paul Goude (among others); actor, stage director and theatre director Jérôme Savary; Chinese-born French fashion designer Yiqing Yi, and many more. Judge for yourself: Auguste Rodin, one of the fathers of modern sculpture; Henri Matisse, leader of Fauvism and a major artistic figure of the 20th century; architects Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Charles Garnier and Hector Guimard; designers Marcel Gascoin, Pierre Guariche and Pascal Mourgue; contemporary visual artists Pierre Huyghe, Annette Messager, Anne and Patrick Poirier, Xavier Veilhan and Camille Henrot; comic strip artist Jacques Tardi; French advertising film director Jean-Paul Goude (among others); actor, director and theatre director Jérôme Savary; Chinese-born French fashion designer Yiqing Yi, and more. Vintage wardrobe with desk, designed by Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986) for Alvéole, 1950. A passionate woodworker, Marcel Gascoin was one of the most important French designers of the post-war period, specialising in "mass-produced furniture". Vintage wardrobe with desk, designed by Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986) for Alvéole, 1950. A passionate woodworker, Marcel Gascoin was one of the most important French designers of the post-war period, specialising in "mass-produced furniture". Vintage Luna armchair, designed by Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) for Meurop, 1960s. Vintage Luna armchair, designed by Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) for Meurop, 1960s. Sculpture Le Corbusier (Buste) / Le Corbusier (Bust), design and production: Xavier Veilhan, 2013. View of the exhibition on the roof of the Cité Radieuse, on the occasion of the MAMO Audi talents awards, Marseille, 2013. Courtesy Galerie Perrotin, Hong Kong & Paris. Photo © diane arques. Sculpture Le Corbusier (Buste) / Le Corbusier (Bust), design and production: Xavier Veilhan, 2013. View of the exhibition on the roof of the Cité Radieuse, on the occasion of the MAMO Audi talents awards, Marseille, 2013. Courtesy Galerie Perrotin, Hong Kong & Paris. Photo © diane arques. Xavier Veilhan(1963) is the perfect embodiment of the creative spirit of EnsAD and the multiplicity of talents that develop there, whose work straddles the border between various media: sculpture, painting, environment, performance, video and photography. Xavier Veilhan (1963) is the perfect embodiment of the creative spirit of the EnsAD and the wide range of talents it nurtures, whose work straddles the boundaries between different media: sculpture, painting, environment, performance, video and photography. Closer to home, 2 great talents in contemporary design are emerging from the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs: Ronan Bouroullec and Jaime Hayón. Ronan Bouroullec, together with his brother Erwan, is pursuing a faultless international career. Exhibited all over the world and winners of numerous prizes and awards, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec have been working since the late 90s and early 2000s with the top names in contemporary design: Cappellini, Vitra, Kartell, Alessi, Magis, Ligne Roset, Habitat, Kréo... Closer to home, two great talents in contemporary design trained at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs are emerging: Ronan Bouroullec and Jaime Hayón. Ronan Bouroullec, together with his brother Erwan, is pursuing a faultless international career. Exhibited all over the world and the recipients of numerous prizes and awards, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec have been working since the late 90s and early 2000s with the top names in contemporary design: Cappellini, Vitra, Kartell, Alessi, Magis, Ligne Roset, Habitat, Kréo... Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec (1971/1976). Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec (1971/1976). Facett armchair and footrest, design Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset. © ligne-roset.com Facett armchair and footrest, design Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset. © ligne-roset.com Joyn office furniture system, Design Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec with Vitra, 2000-2002. ateliergermain.com Joyn office furniture system, Design Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec with Vitra, 2000-2002. Ateliergermain.com Internationally acclaimed Spanish designer Jaime Hayón, nicknamed the "Almodovar of design", is one of the most influential creators in contemporary design. A highly creative artist, he deliberately blurs the boundaries between design, art and decoration, and pursues a multi-faceted career encompassing furniture design, interior decoration, product and accessory design, contemporary art and sculpture. His success shows that the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs trains brilliant, versatile creative minds! Internationally acclaimed Spanish designer Jaime Hayón, nicknamed "the Almodovar of design", is one of the most influential creators in contemporary design. A highly creative artist, he deliberately blurs the boundaries between design, art and decoration, creating a protean body of work that encompasses furniture design, interior decoration, product and accessory design, contemporary art and sculpture... A success story that shows that the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs trains brilliant, versatile creative minds! Jaime Hayón (1974) creates sculptures that are halfway between art and design, and often very colourful! HayonStudio Jaime Hayón (1974) creates sculptures that are halfway between art and design, and often very colourful! © HayonStudio François BOUTARD

The École nationale supérieure des arts Décoratifs

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