General
HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE YAME?
YAH-may
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible. No affiliation with SVA is required.
How many students are in the program?
12.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. Interpreters will be present throughout the program.
When is the deadline?
Applications are due April 1, 2025. Apply here. Admission is first come, first served so apply early!
DO I NEED TO SHOW A PORTFOLIO?
Yes, a portfolio demonstrating three-dimensional product design understanding is required. When your application is received, a website or sample images will be requested.
Is product design experience required?
Participants do not need to be expert in product design, but they must be conversant with some education or experience in three-dimensional design and manufacturing. Participants should understand how to manipulate materials by hand and by industrial process. Participants should be conversant in three-dimensional form and styling and how they impact consumer tastes. Participants should have experience sketching three-dimensional objects in perspective and some understanding of how to translate those sketches into mechanical drawings with dimensions for production. The final deliverable will be a set of mechanical drawings that a crafts person may use to prototype the design. CAD proficiency is NOT required. Mechanicals can be drawn by hand or in Adobe Illustrator.
What do I get to make?
While we will see craft process by the artisans and get to give it a try, for the participating designers, this is an industrial design program, not a craft-making program. Participants should not expect to spend days in a workshop getting their hands dirty with one particular process or product that they will then take home. Instead they should expect to observe many processes and spend time drawing new product proposals that could be made using the processes they have seen.
Am I required to attend all workshop visits and meetings?
Yes. Visits to workshops, factories, temples, shrines and group meals are all part of the program and participants are expected to attend everything.
Is financial aid available?
Neither financial aid nor scholarships are available for this program through SVA.
What is included in the cost of tuition?
Tuition includes individual accommodations with breakfast, workshop and factory visits, museum, temple and shrine admissions, ground transportation in Japan, and welcome and farewell dinner receptions.
Is air travel included in the cost of tuition?
No. Participants must arrange their own air travel to and from Japan.
Are meals included in the cost of tuition?
Welcome and farewell group dinners are included, and breakfast is included at all accommodations but lunches and dinners are not included.
How much of the tuition is required to register?
The entire tuition fee is due in order to register.
What is the refund policy?
If SVA cancels the program for any reason, a full refund will be issued. Any student who registers for an SVA DESTINATION program and withdraws will forfeit a percentage of their tuition depending on the date they withdraw. (Percentages are explained in the acceptance letter along with payment instructions.) Students must submit an email stating they are withdrawing from the program to the program coordinator. Students who require a visa to travel abroad are responsible for securing this is a timely manner.
DO I NEED A VISA?
You MUST have a valid passport that will not expire within six months of the scheduled program return date. It is mandatory that you submit a copy of your passport with confirmation of your deposit. If you are a U.S. citizen, visas are generally not required to travel for up to 90 days. However, requirements can change. All participants should visit the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm their visa requirements. International students should consult with their International Student Advisor or other official at their school regarding visas for Japan, and should be sure to have the proper endorsement to re-enter the U.S. as necessary. SVA students may contact the International Student Office: iso@sva.edu, 212.592.2236.
How do we get around in Japan?
Local transportation in and around Yame will be by a hired bus.
Do we choose our accommodations?
No. Accommodations will be chosen for the group.
Will I be sharing a room?
No. All rooms are single occupancy.
Can I receive course credit?
Yes. 2 undergraduate credits are available for course completion.
Air Travel
Participants are responsible for arranging how they get to and from the program. Please arrange air or other travel to arrive in Fukuoka City by mid-afternoon June 15 and depart from Fukuoka City on June 28.
Participants are free to arrive prior to and depart after the dates above. Additional travel in Japan is encouraged and recommendations can be provided. However, neither local transportation nor accommodations of any kind will be provided before or after those dates.
Accomodations
Japan is famous for its high standards for hospitality and cleanliness. All accommodations will be of excellent quality and the whole group will stay in the same hotels. The Yame Green Hotel has well-appointed single rooms, breakfast included and a roof spa. Our nights in Fukuoka City will include accommodation in a hotel of similar quality. All hotels have free wifi and other amenities.
Tuition
Program Tuition is $5,800.
Tuition includes hotel accommodation, breakfast, ground transportation in Japan, workshop and factory visits, admission to sites and museums, and both welcome and parting receptions.
Tuition does NOT include air travel to and from the program.
The application deadline is April 1, 2025. You can apply online through the main SVA website.