This summer, 11 LCAD BFA students and four LCAD faculty members were invited to participate in a two-week AIGC (AI-generated content) international workshop hosted by Jiangnan University’s School of Digital Technology and Creative Design in Wuxi, China.
Our faculty and students were invited guests. Jiangnan University hosted them at their campus dormitories, commissary, including tuition and all travel throughout the Jiangsu Province in Eastern China.
The Learning Experience
LCAD students joined graduate-level peers at Jiangnan University to explore how emerging AI tools can help preserve and reimagine cultural heritage for contemporary audiences. The workshop brought together students and faculty from both institutions for an intensive, hands-on learning experience centered on interdisciplinary design and digital innovation.
LCAD Faculty
Participants
- Linnea Motts (Design Faculty)
- Xun Chi (Design Faculty)
- Dana Herkelrath (Chair of Graphic Design + Digital Media Program)
- Jason Oualine (Chair of Game Development Program)
What Students Created (In Just Two Weeks)
Working in collaborative teams, students produced concept-driven work that translated cultural research into modern digital outcomes. According to Jiangnan University’s recap, final projects spanned games, websites, products, and dynamic posters, showing multiple ways to bring traditional culture into new formats and platforms.
This is the kind of real-world creative sprint LCAD students thrive in: fast learning, ambitious ideas, and professional presentation standards.
Learning Beyond the Studio: Culture as Research
The experience went far beyond a classroom. Jiangnan University describes guided cultural research across Suzhou, Wuxi, and Nanjing, including visits to museums, historic sites, and traditional arts institutions that informed student concept development.
These immersive experiences helped students build stronger, more authentic design narratives grounded in place, history, and community.
Industry-Level Tools and Future-Facing Skills
Students received training in AIGC workflows and tools including Stable Diffusion concepts and ComfyUI workflows, alongside exposure to AI design platforms discussed by Jiangnan faculty.
LCAD faculty also contributed expertise through featured talks at Jiangnan University, including:
- Creative strategy and critical thinking in design (Dana Herkelrath)
- Scoping and building games realistically (Jason Oualine)
Gratitude + Partnership
LCAD is grateful to Jiangnan University and the School of Digital Technology and Creative Design for hosting and collaborating with our students and faculty throughout the workshop experience.