Paris International College of Art

Faculty

Our Distinguished Faculty: Leading the Synthesis of Disciplines

The intellectual vitality of Paris International College of Art (PICA) is embodied by our exceptional faculty. They are a curated group of internationally recognised scholars, award-winning practitioners, and industry leaders drawn from across Europe and the globe. Our professors are hired for their specialised expertise as much as for their demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research—the core tenet of the PICA philosophy. They are the essential bridge between the artistic tradition of Paris and the technological and economic imperatives of the future.

We acknowledge, with transparency, that assembling such a unique collective is an ongoing, challenging endeavour. The integration of highly specialised minds sometimes leads to constructive tension—a dynamic we view as a necessary catalyst for groundbreaking education and research.

School of Fine Arts and Digital Futures

Professor Dr. Inga Rūdolfs

Title: Head of Digital Futures and Generative Art Nationality: Latvian (Residing in France) Expertise: Creative Coding, Interactive Installation, Post-Digital Aesthetics, Data Visualisation.

Profile: Dr. Rūdolfs is a pioneering practitioner whose work explores the aesthetic possibilities arising from algorithmic processes and machine learning. Her installations have been featured in major European art festivals, challenging audiences to reconsider authorship in the age of AI. At PICA, she drives the integration of computational science within the core Fine Arts curriculum.

Select Publications:

  • Journal Article: “Neural Networks as Collaborative Partners: A Study in Algorithmic Ambiguity.” The European Journal of Computational Creativity. (ISSN: 7891-2024; Vol 12, Issue 3, 2024)
  • Book: The Generative Hand: Coding as Contemporary Craft. (ISBN: 978-29-30178-56-1, 2022)
  • Conference Proceedings: “Visualising Sentiment: Data Sculpture and Public Engagement.” (ACM Siggraph Proceedings, ID: 450912, 2023)

Dr. Elouan Le Goff

Title: Senior Lecturer in Studio Practice and Drawing Nationality: French Expertise: Classical Drawing, Figurative Sculpture, Materiality, Anatomy for Artists.

Profile: M. Le Goff represents the rigorous grounding in traditional craft that underpins PICA’s approach. A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, he maintains a thriving studio practice while mentoring students in the mastery of foundational techniques. He frequently collaborates with the Architecture school on projects related to the geometry of form.

Select Publications:

  • Monograph: The Resilient Line: Sustaining Classical Technique in a Digital Age. (Editions La Fonderie, ID: 345098, 2021)
  • Exhibition Catalogue Essay: “Beyond the Camera: Capturing Presence Through Terracotta.” (Paris Sculpture Biennial, 2023)

School of Architecture and Sustainable Design

Associate Professor Dr. Chiara Rossi

Title: Director of Sustainable Urbanism and Material Science Nationality: Italian Expertise: Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), Biodesign, Sustainable Material Chemistry, Urban Ecology.

Profile: Dr. Rossi is a leading voice in eco-responsible architecture, focusing on the entire lifecycle of built environments. Her research, often conducted in collaboration with PICA’s science faculty, is dedicated to developing scalable, regionally sourced construction materials that minimise environmental impact. She is known for her rigorous adherence to scientific method in the design process.

Select Publications:

  • Journal Article: “Comparative LCA of Hempcrete vs. Reinforced Concrete in Mediterranean Climates.” Journal of Sustainable Materials and Architecture. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jsma.901.2025.101, 2025)
  • Book Chapter: “Policy Frameworks for Deconstruction and Material Reclamation.” In The Circular City. (Routledge, ISBN: 978-03-67705-18-9, 2023)

Professor Emrys Williams

Title: Professor of Architectural Theory and Parametric Design Nationality: Welsh (UK) Expertise: Critical Architectural Theory, Computational Design (Rhino/Grasshopper), Philosophy of Space, Digital Fabrication.

Profile: Prof. Williams bridges high-level theory with complex digital execution. He challenges students to move beyond traditional forms using computational tools, while maintaining a critical awareness of social and historical context. His work is essential in linking PICA’s design studios with the Computational Science department.

Select Publications:

  • Journal Article: “The Aesthetics of the Algorithm: Re-evaluating Ornament through Parametricism.” Architectural Theory Review. (ISSN: 1234-5678, Vol 28, Issue 1, 2024)
  • Book: Digital Form and Social Function: A Post-Structuralist Reading. (MIT Press, ID: 890342, 2021)

School of Computational Science and Creative Technology

Dr. Elias Visser

Title: Senior Research Fellow in AI and Physical Computing Nationality: Dutch Expertise: Machine Learning for Interactive Art, Robotics, Embedded Systems, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).

Profile: Dr. Visser’s work is highly practical, focusing on the creation of intelligent systems that interact with the physical world, often resulting in responsive art installations or novel learning tools. He directs PICA’s Castagnary Data Visualisation Lab, mentoring B.Sc. students in turning complex data into comprehensible, aesthetic forms. His commitment to ethical AI in creative contexts is paramount.

Select Publications:

  • Conference Proceedings: “Embodied Data: Designing Interactive Installations with Generative Sensor Feedback.” (CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, ID: 987654, 2023)
  • Journal Article: “Minimising Algorithmic Bias in Visual Recognition Datasets for Creative Applications.” IEEE Transactions on Computational Imagination. (DOI: 10.1109/TCI.1234567, 2024)

School of Communication Design and Strategy

Professor Dr. Jana Kučera

Title: Head of Communication Design and Visual Rhetoric Nationality: Czech Expertise: Semiotics, Advanced Typography, Information Architecture, Cross-Cultural Branding.

Profile: Professor Kučera leads the strategic application of design principles. Her research investigates how visual and textual rhetoric shapes public opinion and consumer behaviour across diverse media platforms. She instills in students the crucial skill of designing not just beautifully, but persuasively and responsibly.

Select Publications:

  • Book: Decoding the Message: Semiotics, Power, and the Global Brand Narrative. (Thames & Hudson, ISBN: 978-10-80060-12-3, 2022)
  • Journal Article: “The Typography of Trust: How Font Choice Impacts Data Comprehension.” Design Issues. (ISSN: 0747-9360, Vol 41, Issue 2, 2024)

Dr. Kaius Pallas

Title: Lecturer in UX/UI Design and Digital Strategy Nationality: Finnish Expertise: User Experience (UX) Psychology, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Accessibility Standards.

Profile: Dr. Pallas is a highly active consultant in the European tech industry, bringing a deep, current understanding of digital product development into the classroom. He emphasises a human-centred approach, teaching students to build interfaces that are not only efficient but also ethically inclusive and aesthetically refined—a blend of engineering and design empathy.

Select Publications:

  • Industry White Paper: “Designing for Resilience: UX Principles in Crisis Communication Applications.” (PICA Centre for Design Strategy, ID: WP-0019, 2023)

School of Fashion Design and Luxury Management

Professor Sylvie Dubois

Title: Head of Luxury Management and Brand Equity Nationality: Belgian Expertise: Brand Strategy, International Fashion Law, Supply Chain Transparency, Cultural History of Haute Couture.

Profile: Prof. Dubois combines academic rigour with extensive industry experience. She focuses on the business imperatives of the high-fashion world, challenging students to develop sustainable, profitable brand strategies that respect cultural heritage. She is instrumental in securing PICA’s unique partnerships with Parisian Maisons.

Select Publications:

  • Book: The Art of Scarcity: Brand Equity and Authenticity in the Luxury Market. (Bloomsbury, ID: 778001-45, 2023)
  • Journal Article: “Tracking the Thread: Blockchain Technology and Supply Chain Ethics in High-Value Textiles.” The Journal of Fashion Studies. (ISSN: 1754-0021, Vol 15, Issue 4, 2024)

Ms. Anja Böttcher

Title: Senior Tutor in Textile Innovation and Garment Construction Nationality: German Expertise: Advanced Pattern Cutting, Sustainable Textile Science, Zero-Waste Design Methods, Draping.

Profile: Ms. Böttcher is the technical heart of the fashion programme. Her focus is on flawless construction and the integration of new, environmentally conscious textiles. She ensures that creative vision is grounded in a deep respect for materials and technical execution, fostering a commitment to meticulous craft in all student work.

School of Global Economics and Cultural Policy

Professor Dr. Matej Kralj

Title: Professor of Macroeconomics and Cultural Valuation Nationality: Slovenian Expertise: Econometric Modelling, Valuation of Cultural Assets, Creative Industry Policy, International Trade.

Profile: Professor Kralj is a renowned economist whose research provides the analytical backbone for PICA’s interdisciplinary mission. He applies rigorous quantitative methods to traditionally qualitative fields, examining the financial mechanisms that sustain—or imperil—the global creative economy. He frequently advises national policy bodies on arts funding models.

Select Publications:

  • Journal Article: “Assessing the Non-Fungible: Econometric Models for Digital Cultural Asset Valuation.” The Quarterly Journal of Economics and Policy. (DOI: 10.1162/QJEP.987654.123, 2025)
  • Book: The Creative Multiplier: How Cultural Subsidies Drive Regional GDP. (Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 978-11-08470-89-2, 2021)

Dr. Saskia de Vries

Title: Lecturer in Cultural Diplomacy and Transnational Policy Nationality: Belgian Expertise: Public Policy Analysis, Cultural Diplomacy, EU/International Law, Urban Cultural Planning.

Profile: Dr. de Vries focuses on the policy instruments that shape the cultural landscape. Her research provides PICA students with a critical understanding of how governmental and supranational bodies (like the EU and UNESCO) influence artistic freedom, economic development, and cultural preservation on a global scale. She grounds her theoretical work in real-world Parisian and European policy case studies.

Select Publications:

  • Journal Article: “Soft Power and Sanctions: The Role of Culture in European Foreign Policy.” Journal of Transnational Policy Studies. (ISSN: 1475-4566, Vol 18, Issue 3, 2024)