The 4×4 Workshop Experiment Project can be traced back to the end of 2008. It was initiated by Professor Wang Tie of Central Academy of Fine Arts, who co-founded the experimental teaching model featuring “3+1” renowned universities with Professor Zhang Yue from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University. The teaching model features imparting to students the principles and approaches of learning and research as well as recruiting well-known figures from major enterprises to work with tutors and jointly teach students. Such a philosophy transcends the boundary of academies and universities and shifts the previous teaching-only model to a talent cultivation strategy that values theoretical knowledge and practice equally.

For five years since 2015, C Foundation has been financing in full amount the 4×4 Workshop Experiment Project. Thesis defense of the project successively took place in the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, University of Pécs of Hungary and the Cultural Center of Xinglong County, Chengde, etc. University students, professors and well-known designers from home and abroad have participated in the project. From 2015 to 2018, altogether 27 graduate students and doctoral students went to study in Europe. The project has yielded such academic publications as Come in Handy, Keep Working, The Attitude of Positive Energy, Efforts & Accumulation, Nine Years Value and Inside and Outside.

Research outcomes (partial) of the 4×4 Workshop Experiment Project

Final thesis defense at University of Pécs of Hungary, 2020

Final thesis defense at University of Pécs of Hungary, 2018

Final thesis defense at University of Pécs of Hungary, 2017

Experimental and practical teaching seminar at Qingdao University of Technology, 2016

Final thesis defense at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, 2015