From March 5-7, 2025, we had the great honor of hosting Prof. Christine Schwaiger from NEW DESIGN UNIVERSITY (St. Pölten, Austria), accompanied by Prof. Harold Trap. As the Head of the MA Interior Design & Visual Communication program and Professor of Interior Design, Prof. Schwaiger brought a wealth of expertise and inspiration to our students and faculty.

Establishing Academic Cooperation & Knowledge Exchange

The purpose of Prof. Schwaiger’s visit was twofold: to establish cooperation between our universities and to deliver a series of engaging guest lectures for our students at the Faculty of Design (FAD). As part of her visit, we are proud to announce that we have officially signed an Erasmus+ agreement for Staff Mobility for Teaching (STA), further strengthening international academic collaboration and exchange.

Inspiring Lectures on Interior Design & Innovation

During her time with us, Prof. Schwaiger conducted a three-session guest lecture, providing students with valuable insights into interior design, color theory, and architectural innovation:

• She introduced New Design University (NDU) and shared details about its Faculty of Design, offering students a glimpse into its programs and teaching philosophy.
• She explored the importance of color in interior design, using real-world examples from exhibition and hotel space design to highlight how color influences spatial perception and user experience.
• She dedicated a special session to Margarethe Schütte-Lihotzky, Austria’s first female architect and the pioneering mind behind the modern Frankfurt Kitchen, a revolutionary design that reshaped how kitchens are structured and utilized.

Strengthening International Ties

This visit marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between our institutions, opening doors for future academic exchanges, joint research projects, and student opportunities.

We sincerely thank Prof. Christine Schwaiger for her visit, her inspiring lectures, and her commitment to fostering international academic connections. We look forward to future collaborations and continued knowledge exchange with New Design University!

🔗 Learn more about Prof. Schwaiger and her work here:
https://www.ndu.ac.at/ndu-mitarbeiterinnen/christine-schwaiger/