Subject Area Visual Communication

We encounter visual communication all the time and everywhere. Whether we are aware of it or not, visual communication influences our thinking and behaviour, and therefore needs to be structured in a competent and responsible manner. The objective of the Visual Communication subject area is to address communication issues from business, science or culture using innovative forms of expression.

Teaching and learning

The Bachelor’s degree programme combines traditional craft with the most up-to-date knowledge and technology. Bachelor’s students acquire a broad range of competencies in graphically communicating information and translating messages into graphic languages. They develop a set of design skills, learn design methodologies and techniques, and study the mechanisms of visual communication. Students at the Master’s level work in an exploratory and future-focused manner, and strive to develop new knowledge, methods and aesthetics. The personalized nature of the course also allows students to acquire knowledge in their subject areas (e.g. art, media or social science), or in regard to new technologies. As a result, graduates are able to constantly tap into new spheres of activity in a rapidly changing profession. Bachelor’s and Master’s students have the option of using their thesis to connect their degree to the Visual Research Lab with its focus on visual cultures, hybrid media, information aesthetics and design history.

The timeline shows the structure of the curriculum in the Visual Communication subject area:

Graphic: Time line for the Visual Communication programme

Research

Imaginary research

Imaginary (i.e. artistic and visual) research is an approach that draws on methodologies and expertise from the field of graphic design.

Ernst Keller

38 years of teaching and pioneering work at the former Zurich Arts and Crafts School ("Kunstgewerbeschule").

Swiss Type Design

Creating an inventory of all typefaces created by Swiss typeface designers over the period 1875 to 2003.

Institute for Design Research (IDE)

The research conducted in the Visual Communication subject area forms part of the research of the Department of Design, which is bundled in the Institute for Design Research (IDE). The IDE is an integrative organization which coordinates and proactively supports the research projects of the various subject areas within the Department of Design. As the central point of contact for research projects in the Department of Design, the IDE forms the bridge between the researchers in the Department and external research partners.

Advanced studies

Advanced studies in the Visual Communication subject area are offered in the form of multiple, extra-occupational Master’s level courses, as well as postgraduate diploma courses.

MAS Type Design

The MAS Type Design course is a two-year, extra-occupational specialization at Master’s level focusing on the design of fonts in the context of print, signage and screen media.

MAS Typography

The MAS Typography course is a two-year, extra-occupational specialization at Master’s level. We interpret typography as being the design of printed as well as animated speech and image. We focus on designing print products, screen media and signage.

CAS Typography and Print

The CAS Typography and Print course is a one-year, extra-occupational postgraduate diploma course that focuses on foundations of analogue and digital design, as well as design for books and magazines.

CAS Digital Typography

The CAS Digital Typography course is a one-year, extra-occupational postgraduate diploma course that deals with conceptual development, design and processing in digital publishing platforms such as websites and apps, etc.

Services

The Visual Communication specialization develops projects for partners and customers in the services field. These projects are created collaboratively by students and teaching staff, and are implemented according to demand. Currently, this area of study is developing a model of additive integration of service projects within the structure of the curriculum. The goal is for these projects, alongside tuition, is to become platforms to strengthen students’ competencies.

Please direct any enquiries in regard to potential co-operative ventures by email to Jonas Voegeli.

Head

Prof Sarah Owens heads up the Visual Communication subject area and the Master’s specialization. Study at the University of Reading, Royal College of Art in London and Augsburg University. Teaching posts at various universities in the United Kingdom. Teach and research in the fields of typography, graphics, design sociology and design education.