You can study Communication Design as a bachelor and Communication Arts as a master student at the HBK Braunschweig.
Communication designers comprehend complex input, ideas, and messages, which they then translate into visual information using art media. In an age of image overflow and global networks, communication designer are situated in demanding mediating position. In developing their concepts and realising their designs, successful communication designers readily apply knowledge of communication theory, and are habitually perceptive of cultural contexts.
The bachelor's degree in communication design offered at the Braunschweig University of Art was conceived to provide future designers with the fundamental knowledge needed to pursue a career in this creative field, as well as to hone essential academic skills. The independent conception, planning,implementation, and presentation of design projects, as well as a competence in portraying and reflecting one's conceptual thoughts on design, are central educational aims in this programme. In addition, it is expected that these abilities remain in a constant developmental state. Upon completion of the programme, students acquire a vocationally qualifying degree, which also enables them to continue their academic career in design oriented post-secondary degree programmes, such as the the M.A. in Communication Arts at the HBK.
In addition to preparing students for employment in the design industry, HBK design instructors see themselves as character developers, emphasising to students the need to apply critical and expressive artistic abilities, technical skills, and scholarly knowledge in meeting challenges posed by a field that is in a permanent state of flux and expansion.
Analytical skills, calculated actions, strategic thinking, an exceptional ability to differentiate, an inventive touch, flexibility, and team spirit are indispensable characteristics of a designer. Communication designers represent a creative force marked by studied media awareness and inventive solution, and withhold positions of stewardship in society. Graphic design, book design, typography, three dimensional design, illustration, conceptual imagery, photography, interactive media, animation, and video are all focuses within the programme.
First year students focus on the fundamentals of design. They acquire core competencies in technique, and cover essential subject matter in seminars, technical facilities, and tutorials. At this stage, students particularly dedicate themselves to the appropriation of skills in using the prevailing design software.
After this fundamental year, students begin to do more project oriented work, and are encouraged to gather interdisciplinary experience. Practical modules are selected freely from the wide range of thematic areas mentioned above, which gives students the chance to develop in a core area of their choice.
Students take repeated part in university exhibitions, where they present design projects that they've developed in the context of practical modules. Accompanying the design practice and project-oriented components of the degree, are the obligatory theory modules, which familiarize students with design related study issues in areas such as design history, economics, sociology, media studies, aesthetics, and art history.
In the multidisciplinary professionalisation module, students expand their designer profiles by attending extracurricular courses of their choice. The possibilities are quite numerous: public speech training, foreign language studies, management strategy, career planning, copyright law, and mathematics present only a small percentage of these opportunities for vocational preparation. The first year of the degree expressly focuses on subject foundations. However, in the third semester, students begin studying a minor degree in either time-based media, industrial design, aesthetics and art history, or media studies. The minor subject is generally completed by the 6th semester, allowing for enough time to concentrate on the planning stages of the final bachelor examination. It is also possible to minor in communication design in combination with a major in either industrial design, or media studies.
The number of students that are admitted into the communication design bachelor programme is limited and studies only commence in the fall term of each year. Applicants need to either provide proof of completed secondary schooling, or evidence of creative abilities that would qualify them for successful communication design studies. On the premise that these requirements are fulfilled, candidates then take part in an examination to determine the level of their artistic capabilities. This examination takes place once every summer semester, and the minimum age for participation is 16. Currently, it is not necessary to have completed schooling in order to participate in the entry examination.
Foreign students are additionally required to pass a German language proficiency test that is officially recognized by German universities, the DSH-2 being an example thereof.
Important Note: Please check the application deadline (German text). A noteworthy portion of the application process is the portfolio of exemplary artworks, which have been created solely by the applicant, and are to be submitted in original form. Applicants can consult professors about their artwork before they submit a portfolio, and can make such arrangements by contacting the design department's main office.
Applicants are advised to bring a wide selection of work for such consultations.
At the Braunschweig University of Art, the master’s degree in Communication Arts is offered with three different areas of study focus: narrative environments, visual argumentation, and knowledge communication.
Candidates for M.A. studies in Communication Arts at the Braunschweig University of Art are required to have a bachelor’s degree, which has been issued by a university from either a EU member state, or any countries currently undergoing EU accession procedures. The bachelor should be in Communication Arts, or another closely related subject, and needs to have been completed with a minimum grade of 2.5, or equivalent.
The basic structure of your degree reflects the general M.A. examination regulations of the Braunschweig University of Art (HBK), with subject specifications in accordance with the Master of Communication Arts. The general M.A. regulations without subject specification can be found in the study handbook (Studienhandbuch "HBK Braunschweig/ Allgemeine Informationen; German text). Information concerning the examination regulations specific to the Master of Communication Arts can be attained from the examination office ("Prüfungsamt").
Detailed information regarding admission and the application documents can be found at: Bewerbungsverfahren Master Communication Arts (German text). You can also contact the Academic Advisory Service.
For further information: Admissions Office
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