Located in the heart of the creative district of Saint-Étienne, France's only UNESCO City of Design, the Cité du Design raises awareness of the challenges and uses of design among all publics.
With the support of the City of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne Métropole, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the Ministry of Culture, the Cité du Design fulfills three complementary missions: teaching art and design, disseminating design culture and providing coaching to companies and local authorities. It brings together Saint-Étienne College of Art and Design (l'École supérieure d'art et design de Saint-Étienne - Esadse) and the Cité du Design.
Saint-Étienne College of Art and Design (Esadse) teaches art and design to nearly 400 French and foreign students, from preparatory classes to postgraduate courses. Its pedagogy is nourished by the highest level of academic research.
Through the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne, thematic exhibitions, conferences and publishing activities, the Cité du design promotes design, stimulates curiosity for the contemporary world and facilitates experimentation for everyone, from expert to amateur.
From elaboration of calls for tenders, to implementation of projects and recommendation of appropriate service providers, the Cité du design guides companies, public institutions and local authorities in their design initiatives and training.
Innovating through designOur services to support companiesOur work with public players and our support to communities
The expertise, activities and international partnerships of the Cité du Design contributed to the nomination of Saint-Étienne as a UNESCO City of Design in 2010. We are developing a network of contacts with numerous partners, from local to international level. The Cité du design fosters teaching and research, dissemination of design culture and support of companies and local authorities.
Biennale Internationale Design Saint-ÉtienneSaint-Étienne, UNESCO City of Design
Design places people at its very heart.
What makes the Cité du design so valuable?
The Cité du design raises public awareness of the challenges and uses of design through teaching and research, exhibitions (including our renowned Biennale) and workshops. The Cité du design also provides services to local authorities and businesses. Design places people at the heart of its approach, whether it is to improve uses and lifestyles, to make better use of energy, to guide changes in housing or to contribute to improve health and transportation.
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