Content and structure

Course content.

Students acquire material and technological knowledge and learn content and for-mal product and system design. Visualization techniques and the current state-of-the-art of digitalization are just as much a part of this as the ability to observe and reflect on social change – and react to it with innovative solutions in your design work. 

Improve your conceptual thinking and behaviour, develop independent ideas and acquire expertise in formal-aesthetic expression. You also explore societal relevance, technological innovation and ecological sustainability. You enjoy interdisciplinary work in the university’s own Design and Technology Lab and carry out collaboration projects with industry and research partners. 

Course structure.

Basic principles
Learn the different basic skills of industrial design: analogue and digital 2C and 3D depictions, creative techniques, product analysis, marketing and branding, design law and project management. 

Material and technology
You are introduced to materials and production processes, design methods and the implementation of industrially manufactured products. You apply the construction and manufacturing technology that you learn in the design process. 

Theory and context
Students explore design history and design theory, analyse the relationship be-tween design and society and hold a design debate. 

Practice
Focus on bringing together and applying the theoretical, practical basics that you have learnt in practical design projects. You work on current tasks of increasing complexity in relevant contexts. 

Practical work with other majors
Learn how to act and work in interdisciplinary design teams. Students formulate and implement joint ideas on a current issue, learn how to communicate design processes, and get across their understanding of design in discussions with others. 

Graduation project
Complete a graduation project on a topic of your choice from the specializations of sustainability, societal relevance and new technologies: You write a thesis and complete a creative graduation project.

Skills acquired in the course.

  • Use a variety of methodological knowledge such as research and lecturing strategies, interview techniques, design ethnography, design thinking or project management in a targeted manner
  • Analyse and structure current, complex social, cultural, technological and sustainable developments
  • Develop and visualize a wide range of novel, intelligent concepts and scenarios creatively
  • Apply your knowledge of digital tools such as CAD, rapid prototyping and digital fabrication in product development in an expert manner
  • Expertly use context-related material, form, colour, style and codes, and create aesthetically unique solutions
  • Recognize relevant design potential in interdisciplinary teams and develop solutions accordingly
  • Reflect on and critically review your work in the field of design theory and design history 

Admissions requirements.

You know the basics of sketching and perspective drawing. You also have prior knowledge of colour and form, and have the following skill set:

  • Creative, visionary thinker 
  • Spatial imagination
  • Interest in materials and processing technologies
  • Interest in designing in the two- and three-dimensional space 
  • Technical-constructive understanding
  • Good awareness of social changes and needs
  • Interest in solution-based developments

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

The Major in Industrial Design has long-standing ties with the engineering sciences and other disciplines. A prime example of this is the inter-university partnership with the ETH Product Development Group in the Design and Technology Lab in Zurich. Students also benefit from specializing in the area of 3D printing technologies in the specially founded industrial design lab (ID LAB). These entry requirements make the Major in Industrial Design a

  • generator for innovation and an
  • expert partner for design and services projects for industry and the R&D departments of other universities.

Studying at ZHdK offers you a wealth of benefits.

  • Take your future in hand: You enjoy a contemporary, interdisciplinary, highly specialized education. 
  • You have access to the Toni Campus. This centre for education and culture combines all disciplines under one roof and is unparalleled in its dimensions anywhere in Europe. 
  • ZHdK regularly puts on projects and events. 
  • You benefit from professional networks and collaborations with the creative industry and other educational institutions in Switzerland and abroad.