Bachelor of Arts in New Craft Object Design

Program Overview

The program values both creative and technological knowledge, encouraging students to master new technologies and practices. The curriculum includes hands-on work in studios, workshops, and laboratories, merging analogue and digital techniques to produce extraordinary objects tailored to individual users. Graduates can pursue careers in product and jewelry design, technical laboratories, manufacturing, or start their own businesses.

Program Outline

The program investigates societal aspects and issues, stimulating interest in innovative solutions. It emphasizes a deep understanding of material culture within the context of societal developments, with design processes evolving from theoretical questions and analyzing the designer's role in current and changing circumstances. The program values both creative and technological knowledge, encouraging students to master new technologies and practices, applying and combining them creatively and professionally. The program welcomes students from diverse vocational backgrounds, leveraging their existing expertise. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on work in studios, workshops, and laboratories, merging analogue and digital techniques. The ultimate goal is to produce new, extraordinary objects tailored to individual users. The language of instruction is mainly German.

Outline:

The program is structured across seven semesters.

Semesters 1–2:

• Creative and Technical Fundamentals
• Photography
• Typeface and Typography
• Fundamentals of Jewellery and Products
• Drawing and Illustration
• Art and Design History

Semesters 3–4:

• Creative Design
• Designing for Series Production
• Analogue and Digital Design: Rapid Prototyping and Product Development
• 3D Communication
• Photography
• Image and Communication
• Illustration
• Art and Design Theory, Cultural and Gender Studies

Semester 5:

• Semester abroad or internal/external practical project

Semester 6:

• Interdisciplinary projects
• Transferable skills

Semester 7:

• Theory and Practice
• Bachelor’s Thesis

Teaching:

Teaching is supervised by the school's teaching staff. The program reflects an openness towards all orientations of art and design, offering a broad variety of courses resulting in designs ranging from applied to creative. Lateral thinking and open exchange between different design fields are encouraged. Students discuss analyses, innovative concepts, production methods, and creative experiments, using their insights to design individual pieces or products. The program emphasizes hands-on work (#HandsOn) in studios, workshops, and laboratories, combining analogue and digital techniques. The teaching incorporates ecological, economic, and societal issues.

Careers:

Graduates can work in product and jewellery design, design services, technical laboratories, the manufacturing industry, self-employment, start-up centres, or start their own businesses. With practical experience, teaching is also a possibility.

Other:

The program's motto is #HandsOn, reflecting the emphasis on practical work. The program encourages students to discover their preferences and strengths, setting their own area of specialization. The program considers both individual pieces and product design equally important. Students contribute diverse expertise from various vocational fields.