London Study Abroad Program

Global experiences are an increasingly important component of design education. During the summer following their second year of study, interior design undergraduate and graduate students may choose to participate in Florida State University’s International Programs in London, England, while completing a History of Interiors course offered by the School of Design.

Over six weeks students study the history of modern architecture, interiors, and furniture. Walking through London’s diverse neighborhoods, students trace the evolution of design – Neoclassicism, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, International Modernism, Brutalism, and contemporary practices – gaining an understanding of the cultural, social, and technological forces that shape our built environments.

Students enjoy intimate tours of Sir John Soane’s Museum, William Morris’s Red House, Kew Gardens, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Design Museum, and Eltham Palace, significant architectural landmarks throughout the city, and attend the world-renowned Clerkenwell Design Week fair. Students also benefit from exploring London’s many historic districts, where centuries of design history coexist within a vibrant metropolis.

To document and reflect on their learning, each student develops a creative project that connects historical research with their personal observations and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of global design traditions and their relevance to contemporary practice.