Teaching and learning

Our courses include a wide range of future-oriented topics that are taught at both Bachelor’s and Master’s level.  While students taking the Bachelor of Arts in Design learn subject-specific principles and the essential skills needed to start a career in design, the Master of Arts in Design is research-oriented and focuses on broadening and deepening individual areas of expertise to prepare graduates for careers in the creative industry, knowledge organizations or as entrepreneurs.

ZHdK’s Design programme at both levels of study focuses on the following basic principles:

  • Project-based, applied and reflective classes
  • Theory and methodology as a relevant tool for working in design
  • Intuitive and open with an interdisciplinary approach to subject areas, levels of study and departments.
  • Professional networks and cooperatives with the creative industry and other educational institutions in Switzerland and abroad.
  • Bringing knowledge from the industry, research and real-life design to lessons
  • Working at workstations, in labs and other facilities

These principles are applied in the seven Bachelor’s and six current Master’s specializations. Working with different disciplines is also encouraged. Students use the opportunities provided by the Institute for Design Research to develop their projects in research-oriented settings. In addition, there are a number of international contacts and cooperatives which offer opportunities to spend a semester at a partner institution, as well as study trips and project weeks in Africa or Asia, for example.

By combining programmes in a specific subject area with courses from other departments, students can create individual education biographies that are specific to their career goals. After completing their studies, students go on to work in very different areas and roles. These do not only include positions as designers in design agencies but also positions as design strategists in technology companies, independent entrepreneurs, high school teachers and researchers in research institutions.

Students of the Department of Design also have access to ZHdK’s many labs and workstations.