What disciplines are taught?

The disciplines are grouped into three study units related to:
1°) carrying through an interior design or product design project.
2°) formal and technical experimentation through workshops.
3°) the acquisition of project tools: wide-ranging knowledge and skills including drawing, construction, technology, representation, communication, history, proficiency in English, methodology, contemporary culture, etc.
The initial, 3-year course teaches fundamental skills with a complementary approach, particularly with regard to form-related skills. Project methodology is taught from the 2^nd year onwards. The 4^th and 5^th years focus on the acquisition of autonomy.
Students work on an individual basis, but also have the opportunity of group work in workshop situations.

What is the proportion of supervised school work and personal work?

Over the 30-week university year, an average of 24 hours of weekly courses and workshops are led by teachers and 20 hours are spent on personal work. Work is intensive, particularly during workshops and when personal projects have to be submitted for evaluation. The school is open for personal work until 11pm daily.

Do you have partnerships with companies?

Yes, many, especially from the 3^rd year onwards, to immerse students in professional life and to help graduates find work. Examples:
 Arc International – objects in glass;
 L’Oréal Professionnel – product promotion and research into new services;
 Jardiland – ‘acrobatic plants’ and the ‘water in gardens’ theme;
 RATP – amenities

Teams (technical, commercial, communication, design, etc) from partner companies come to the school to propose a specific project to students. The winners of these competitive projects are chosen by a jury of professionals.

Do courses include internships in companies?

Yes, a minimum of two compulsory, validated internships of at least one month each, usually in summer but sometimes during courses, one or two days a week, one during the first three years, one during the final honours years. These internships are proposed by the school, which receives more internship offers from companies than requests from students.

Do you run international exchange schemes?

Yes, for a semester and very selectively (a few students during years 3 and 4). We run exchanges only with schools who teach the same interior and product design specialisations, in Montréal, Brussels and Buenos Aires. Selection criteria for these internships include education level, autonomy and language constraints.

What software packages do you teach?

Architectural, graphic design and video software packages are all taught at the Ecole Camondo: Autocad, 3DS Max 6, Final Cut, Rhinocéros, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator. The school is equipped with Mac and PC computers.

What are the criteria for admission to following years?

Students are evaluated chiefly by continual examination of their coursework. This can take various forms depending on the discipline: drawings, models, formal installations, displays of imagery and plans, dossiers, etc.

What is the annual dropout rate?

There is no predetermined rate. Studies are demanding throughout the 5-year degree course and admission to the following year is by no means automatic. Each year, decisions are made concerning wether students need to repeat a year or to change stream. In recent years, more than 4 out of 5 students were admitted to the following year, and 60% of students go on to graduate in 5 or 6 years. Students required to repeat the 5^th year, do not need to pay fees.

What is the academic rating of the 3-year diploma?

The diploma was instated in June 2005. It has no academic accreditation and its future professional recognition will depend on the professional performance of the few students who choose to end their studies at this stage. They usually find work in interior design studios or with manufacturers. Some students may voluntarily decide to change their study specialisation with other professions in mind (graphic design, architecture, etc.). However, the overwhelming majority of students pursue the school’s degree course through to graduation.