Eight Product Design students from ESAD took part in an international transportation design workshop at the National University of Arts George Enescu in Iași, Romania, as part of the Erasmus+ programme. The projects developed led to two exhibitions in the city, where João Moreira won second prize in the Student Category and Jeremy Aston won first prize in the Professional Category.

In June 2026, eight Product Design students from ESAD took part in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), an Erasmus+ initiative combining online collaborative activities with a week of physical mobility at the National University of Arts George Enescu in Iași, Romania. The workshop, focused on transportation design, brought together students and teachers from several European institutions, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and perspectives on the future of mobility.

From 2 to 7 June, participants developed transportation concepts through research, creative exploration and direct observation of the city’s public transport systems, services and vehicles. The experience also included exploring Iași’s urban and cultural context, contributing to the development of proposals that explore new approaches to mobility needs.

The projects were subsequently presented at two design exhibitions in the city: I REAL REAL, from 5 to 11 October, and DESIGN WEEK, from 28 September to 2 October. The exhibitions brought together projects from the participating institutions and connected the academic community with industry professionals and the wider public. The projects were also included in two exhibition catalogues, extending the visibility of the work developed.

This experience highlights the importance of international mobility and collaboration between educational institutions, creating opportunities to explore new methodologies, engage with different cultural contexts and establish lasting connections between European design communities.