The first year of the Major consists of three terms:
- Term 1, Common Ground & Focus, will first focus on expanding your perspective, letting go of assumptions, exploring the field of Graphic Design and developing an open, inquisitive and (self-)critical attitude. Consequently you will zoom into the historical and contemporary context as well as speculate on future directions of Graphic Design in order to gain a deeper understanding of the field and how it connects to society.
- Term 2 focuses on the on introducing to the content and methodology of WdKA's three graduation profiles (Practices). You will be introduced to the approach, context, professional roles and methodologies associated with the three graduation profiles.
- Term 3, Navigation, focuses on becoming aware of the relationship between graphic designer, public or user and context. How does your design effectively interact with its public? How does it stimulate or motivate? How can you, through your design choices, ensure that the intended message or story comes across?
The second year of the Major consists of two terms:
- Term 1, Dialogue, focuses on a critical reflection of yourself in relation to your profession as a graphic designer. You will explore how to make your personal professional profile visible through the various tools, media and products of a graphic designer. You will critically examine the effects of communication, and integrate this insight into your own design vision. Here we will be examining a broad variety of aspects of text, image and media, while focusing on a specific target audience.
- Term 2, Information & Structure, focuses on an editorial approach to complex information in a (cross)media context. You will explore how to translate, order and visualise complex content into visually comprehensible narratives.
Term 3, Practices, provides you with an in-depth introduction to two of the three graduation profiles (Practices). This learning experience will help you decide upon your graduation profile in the third and fourth academic years.
On top of the major, WdKA adds elective projects. You can choose from a wide range of contemporary subjects and issues. These projects introduce students to our three graduation profiles or Practices. We call them the Autonomous, Social and Commercial Practices. Within the Practices, you focus on new challenges in the fields of technology, the use of public space, the need to engage the public and a challenging international context, and work on real-life, practical assignments which transcend the boundaries of the chosen professional discipline.
Click on the chart on the left to view the Practices and their elective projects.
Autonomous Practices focus on the artistic and expressive possibilities of the (individual) artist, teacher or designer; who work from the perspective of their personal vision of the world and the human condition, and give shape to this vision. Within Autonomous Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Commercial Practices are oriented towards our “next” economy. Our world is changing rapidly fused for example by technological disruptive innovations. This changing world creates new opportunities and roles for prospective designers and artists. Within Commercial Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Social Practices focus on art and design that impacts societal issues by designing or redesigning processes, interactions and relationships, and by involving participants or stakeholders in the design process. The issues currently addressed by Social Practices are Cultural Diversity, Open Design,Powerplay and New Earth; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
This phase focuses on the synergy between graphic design, your chosen practice projects and your future professional perspective.
On top of the major, WdKA adds elective projects. You can choose from a wide range of contemporary subjects and issues. These projects introduce students to our three graduation profiles or Practices. We call them the Autonomous, Social and Commercial Practices. Within the Practices, you focus on new challenges in the fields of technology, the use of public space, the need to engage the public and a challenging international context, and work on real-life, practical assignments which transcend the boundaries of the chosen professional discipline.
Click on the chart on the left to view the Practices and their elective projects.
Autonomous Practices focus on the artistic and expressive possibilities of the (individual) artist, teacher or designer; who work from the perspective of their personal vision of the world and the human condition, and give shape to this vision. Within Autonomous Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Commercial Practices are oriented towards our “next” economy. Our world is changing rapidly fused for example by technological disruptive innovations. This changing world creates new opportunities and roles for prospective designers and artists. Within Commercial Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Social Practices focus on art and design that impacts societal issues by designing or redesigning processes, interactions and relationships, and by involving participants or stakeholders in the design process. The issues currently addressed by Social Practices are Cultural Diversity, Open Design,Powerplay and New Earth; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
The Internship period is a temporary placement in which you, as a future professional, will become acquainted with the professional practice, including the scope and range of work activities and various practical aspects of the profession. The goal is to combine the learning process and the professional practice in a way which is not competitive with the professional field. It is also possible to do the internship (or part of the internship) abroad.
Exchange. By studying abroad, you have the opportunity to study in a foreign country and take in the allure and culture of a new environment. WdKA offers you this opportunity as an integral part of your study. During your study exchange you gain credits that can be transferred against your degree at WdKA.
Minor allows you to broaden or deepen their knowledge and skills. You complete it within one semester. Minor includes practical research, visualisation and presentation. You can one of the current issues within the Practices - Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private; New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design or Cultural Diversity, Open Design, Powerplay and New Earth - or follow a minor at another institute or abroad.
In the final phase of the studies, you will graduate in the Major and with the Practice profile that best suits you as a professional graphic designer.
Autonomous Practices focus on the artistic and expressive possibilities of the (individual) artist, teacher or designer; who work from the perspective of their personal vision of the world and the human condition, and give shape to this vision. Within Autonomous Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Commercial Practices are oriented towards our “next” economy. Our world is changing rapidly fused for example by technological disruptive innovations. This changing world creates new opportunities and roles for prospective designers and artists. Within Commercial Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Social Practices focus on art and design that impacts societal issues by designing or redesigning processes, interactions and relationships, and by involving participants or stakeholders in the design process. The issues currently addressed by Social Practices are Cultural Diversity, Open Design,Powerplay and New Earth; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
Graphic Design
Profession and Concept
The first year focuses on the introduction to skills, knowledge and attitudes that we regard as necessary for the profession. At the same time you will learn to think conceptually, explore, experiment and to make using various tools and media, and to ask yourself questions regarding the discipline.
Profession and Concept
The second year focuses on further exploring the boundaries of Graphic Design and your potential role in the profession. You become familiar with diverse roles that the graphic designer fulfills, present and future. The complex challenges of contemporary Graphic Design practice require designers who are able to clearly define their role within a collaborative and multi-disciplinary project.
Profession and Concept
The third year is divided between your Major, internship/exchange and graduation profiles (Practices). Upon completing, you will be able to choose the graduation profile that best suits your ambition.
Profession and Concept
The fourth year consists of two terms: Minor and Graduation.