In today’s highly connected world, design is no longer limited by borders, cultures, or geography. A designer sitting in Jaipur can create for a brand in Paris, collaborate with a team in Tokyo, or pitch to a client in New York. This global shift has transformed design education—making international exposure not just an advantage, but a necessity.
According to UNESCO, the global creative economy contributes over $2.25 trillion to the world economy, and continues to grow faster than many traditional sectors. At the same time, the World Economic Forum lists design among the top five future skill areas for young professionals. To thrive in this dynamic environment, students need access to global ideas, global people, and global opportunities.
This is where studying design abroad makes a real difference—and where ARCH’s global partnerships create powerful pathways for young designers.
Why Study Design Abroad?
1. Exposure to Global Trends and Innovation
Design evolves every day. Whether it’s sustainability in fashion, AI-powered digital experiences, or new materials in product design, global markets often lead these advancements. Studying abroad gives students a chance to understand what the world is designing today—what’s trending, what’s fading, and what’s next.
McKinsey’s State of Fashion Report shows that 70% of leading global brands depend on trend research to build their future collections. Being part of an international classroom helps students experience these shifts first-hand, long before they reach the Indian market.
2. Learning from International Faculty and Industry Mentors
Studying abroad opens the door to learning from global faculty, visiting artists, and industry professionals who bring decades of international experience. Students benefit from diverse perspectives, different teaching styles, and exposure to global design critiques and portfolio standards. These interactions shape designers who think beyond conventional boundaries.
3. Developing Cross-Cultural Intelligence
Design thrives on collaboration. In a global classroom, students learn next to peers from different cultures, languages, and mindsets. This cultural mix strengthens communication skills, empathy, and adaptability—qualities that employers value highly.
Designers who understand different cultures are able to create for diverse audiences, collaborate effectively, and communicate confidently in international settings.
4. Building a Global Portfolio
A portfolio that includes global projects, multicultural collaborations, and international techniques stands out. Recruiters and design studios increasingly look for designers with exposure beyond their home country. International projects signal creativity, versatility, and readiness for the global market.
In fact, students with global exposure are 23% more likely to be hired internationally, according to the QS Global Education Report.
How ARCH’s Global Pathways Shape Your Future
International Fast-Track Program (HND/B.A)
ARCH offers a unique Study Abroad pathway through the PEARSON BTEC–accredited Higher National Diploma (HND), allowing students to complete the first two years of their design education at ARCH and then progress abroad for the remaining stages. Through this model, students gain access to 100+ international universities—including Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and several others across the UK and Europe—where they can complete the third year of their B.A degree and advance directly into an M.A programme in the fourth year. This enables students to finish two international degrees in just four years. The pathway offers global options in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, and Digital Design, making it a cost-effective and time-efficient route that leads to an internationally recognised qualification and strong global career opportunities.
Global Partnerships That Build Real Global Experiences
1. Student Exchange Programmes
ARCH’s international collaborations enable students to participate in exchange programmes with global design institutes. These exchanges expose students to new cultures, teaching methods, and design processes.
A special example is the collaboration with École Boulle, Paris. Jewellery students from École Boulle spent time at ARCH to learn traditional Jaipur craft techniques—while ARCH students were exposed to French jewellery-making practices. This blend of traditional craft and global design thinking helps designers understand heritage through a global lens.
2. Exploring Heritage, Innovation, and Craft
Exchange programmes also promote cultural learning. Students explore traditional crafts, observe artisans, and study heritage practices while connecting them with contemporary design approaches. This helps build designers who respect roots yet think globally.
3. International Exhibitions, Projects, and Competitions
Through its global partnerships, ARCH provides access to international competitions, exhibitions, and collaborative research projects. Global design contests see over 30,000 student submissions every year, making them a powerful platform for emerging designers to showcase their work on an international stage.
Participating in such platforms builds confidence, global recognition, and strong portfolios.
Archana Surana’s Leadership in Global Design Education
ARCH’s Founder & Director, Ms. Archana Surana, has played a significant role in connecting ARCH with global design communities. Her long-standing association with the Cumulus Association—a network of 400 design institutes across 90+ countries—has brought international visibility and opportunities for ARCH students.
Through these connections, students have participated in international research paper presentations, conferences, and exchange programmes.
ARCH also hosted the Cumulus International Student Camp (DID)—a six-day global design immersion with 30 international participants from seven countries. This initiative solidified ARCH’s position as a global hub for collaborative design learning.
Conclusion: Your Global Design Journey Starts Here
In a world where design has become borderless, global exposure gives you an unmatched edge. It helps you understand international standards, work with multicultural teams, adapt to new ideas, and build a portfolio that stands out anywhere in the world.
ARCH’s 25 years in design education, combined with its strong international partnerships, give students the perfect platform to grow into global designers.
With ARCH’s Study Abroad Programme through PEARSON BTEC, students get a powerful, affordable, and flexible route to completing their design degree abroad—opening pathways to international careers, higher studies, and global creative opportunities.
At ARCH, your journey doesn’t just prepare you for the industry—it prepares you for the world.