The course in pictures A gallery of projects from the class.

The programme of study culminates in the final Bachelor project in the third year. A written thesis forms the basis for the practical work to follow. This is a self-determined project that is regarded as a qualified “masterpiece”- representing the first step towards students defining themselves to the outside world as visual authors on a professional level. An exhibition of all final projects offers the opportunity to make contact with representatives from the Swiss design industry.

In the third year, the focus is increasingly placed on in-depth, individual study as projects become more complex and demanding. Students explore the ways in which language shapes content, dealing with comics and dialogue, with the demands of literary illustration, book design and, with guidance, work on a visual reportage. 

In the second year, students expand on what they have learned in the first year by using different media, methods and applications. Projects become increasingly more substantial: A publication is created, a first visual story with screen adaptation; a poster assignment is undertaken. During this time, the emphasis is on getting to know one’s own abilities better, finding one’s strengths and developing a feeling for what one is good at.

In the first year, lessons start with the fundamentals of drawing, painting and designing. The modules deal with visual perception and how images are perceived. The students learn how text and image interact with and complement each other, as well as how images relate to one another within a layout. In the second semester, they deal with idea illustration and creative methods and strategies. This method of working challenges the students’ previous repertoire of visual expression and expands on it radically.