“micro-Macro” is the theme launched for the 2025 edition of the TRACKS OF FREEDOM format: as every year, a group of RUFA students from the Master’s degree in Visual and Innovation Design flew to New York to experience a one-of-a-kind professional journey, seeking inspiration for new design and artistic approaches.

Imagine immersing yourself in the effervescent world of brand and visual design, surrounded by a variety of talks, studio visits, and social and cultural insights – all set against the vibrant backdrop of New York, the undisputed symbol of freedom. Here, our students from the Visual and Innovation Design Master’s programme will have the opportunity to transform the city’s pulsating energy – and their dreams – into boundless creativity.

A journey of study, research, and inspiration

During the trip, students will participate in talks and studio visits with prominent designers and leading figures in international design. Past editions have included contributions from distinguished personalities such as Anderson Gail, Paola Antonelli, Carbone Smolan, Louise Fili, Steven Heller, Pentagram (Emily Oberman and Paula Scher), Stefan Sagmeister, Giorgia Lupi, and studios like Mucca Design, Opnbox, Salotto (Accurat, Fanton Lorenzo, Ponzi Emiliano), and SY Partners.

There will also be visits to museums and landmark sites of New York, past editions have included visits to prestigious locations such as: the MoMA, Whitney Museum, Museum of the City of New York, Guggenheim, Herb Lubalin Center, and the Poster Museum. Students will immerse themselves in the cultural and artistic landscape of the city, gathering visual and sensory stimuli that will later be essential for the workshop project.

The “micro-Macro” project

The theme chosen for the 2025 edition is “micro-Macro”, a concept that invites students to explore new dimensions and perspectives within the great open-air laboratory that is New York. The project aims to merge different languages and techniques, spanning advertising, brand identity, exhibit, video, motion graphics, social marketing, interaction, and multimedia design, in a path of hybridization and creative experimentation.

Under the guidance of professors and designers Emanuele Cappelli and Mario Rullo, students will work on individual and group projects (from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm), with the aim of creating a project that will subsequently be exhibited at the RUFA Space and published on a dedicated online platform, complete with extensive photo and video documentation.

At the end of the trip, RUFA will issue all participants a certificate of participation and award 4 academic credits (CFU), certifying the educational and formative value of the experience.

Keep scrolling this page to see the photos and vlogs filmed by the students day by day, and get a taste of their adventure in the Big Apple.