In addition to the core competencies in spatial design, experience design and media design, the program teaches the fundamentals of CAD and plan comprehension, image processing, model making, visualization, graphic design, video, 3D modeling, virtual and augmented reality, as well as theoretical fundamentals. Theory and interdisciplinary modules complement the program. Students can set their own focal points during the course of their studies and also deepen these in an internship or exchange semester.
The course is made up of four module types: The specialized modules are composed of several courses: On the one hand, project-based courses from the Core area, which corresponds to the three focal points of the study program - Spatial Design, Experience Design and Digital Media Design - and from the Core plus area, which combines the supporting courses. The specialized modules are complemented by the +++modules, which teach interdisciplinary future skills, scientific work and writing, and methods. The final module includes the practical and written Bachelor's thesis.
OVERVIEWS OF THE BACHELOR PROGRAMME SPATIAL DESIGN
The degree course may change slightly, as it is continually under review.
Overview of the Programme
CORE MODULE
In the Core modules, competencies from the three main areas of study - Spatial Design, Experience Design and Digital Media Design - are taught in project-based courses. Theory and practice are taught in a productive coexistence and tested in projects. At the end of the 2nd and 4th semesters, students can choose interdisciplinary modules from their own field of study or from another field of study in order to gain insight into further subject areas. In the 4th semester, an internship or a semester abroad can also be completed instead of studying at the university.
Spatial Design
Whether office space, shopping mall, train station, museum or theater stage - space is the medium with which students deal in theory and projects - both in physical and digital space (virtual reality/augmented reality). Spatial designers focus on the experiences in space and first examine the perceptions, actions and interactions that take place in it. Based on the insights gained from this, the design of the space can be tailored to the users. Spatial Design thus adds the dimension of human action, memories and rituals to the space and considers it as a narrative and virtually expandable medium. Students are therefore also concerned with the question of what space is and on the basis of which parameters different types of spaces can be designed. Spatial design is closely related to experience design and digital media design. Experience design involves the aspects that influence experiences in space and form the basis for the development of concepts. In conjunction with digital media design, students learn how digital technologies can support experiences in space.
Experience Design
Experience design can be used to design the experiences and interactions of visitors in a museum as well as coherent chains of experiences when visiting a tourist attraction in the Swiss Alps.
Skills in experience design are important when it comes to drawing conclusions for the design of space from people's experiences and behavior as well as from the analysis of the environment. Insights in this regard are gained primarily through the means of observation. Here, the entire process, before, during and after use, is always observed and documented in a visualization of the process. This then forms the starting point for improving or redesigning processes and spatial relationships.
Digital Media Design
How can exhibits in museums be brought to life using virtual reality? How can exhibition content be digitally archived and made accessible via the Internet? Can a business meeting take place in a virtual room? And how can such a space be designed and used?
Digital media can support the experience in a room or - e.g. by using virtual reality - be the actual experience itself. Using materials, color and light as well as various media such as images, video, animation and sound, students learn to conceptualize and design experiential spaces. The course also imparts practical knowledge about virtual and augmented reality. In projects, concepts are developed in the form of prototypes and their effect is tested.
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CORE PLUS MODULES
In the Core plus area of the specialist modules, accompanying courses provide practical knowledge of planning, display and presentation tools for physical and hybrid space.
Toolbox 1: Planning tools for physical space
The Toolbox 1 course teaches the basics of drawing and reading plans, creating 3D models using CAD, and working with image editing programs to add atmospheric elements such as material, color, light, and shadow to 3D models or model images. Likewise, model building techniques and materials for building scale and atmospheric models are addressed.
Toolbox 2: Planning tools for hybrid space
The Toolbox 2 course teaches the basics of 3D modeling as well as the application of photogrammetry for the three-dimensional recording of objects and spaces. The models created in this way form the basis for creating and experiencing virtual spaces as well as for 3D printing.
Graphic Design
The aim of the Graphic Design course is to teach the fundamentals and skills that create knowledge and understanding of graphic and formal design with type and images in the context of a layout. The course serves to document and present one's own work adequately and comprehensibly.
Web Design
In the web design course, students learn how to create a homepage as well as how to use social media to present their own projects, tell a good story about them, and generate interest and attention for them.
Video Essay
Video essays can be used to communicate time-based contexts easily and effectively - both in terms of research and to convey concepts. The course teaches the basics of storytelling, image cropping, simple shooting techniques, and editing programs.
Visualizing
Based on perceptual phenomena and graphic conventions, this course will explore styles, formats, techniques, and materials for drawing research and representation of space, as well as practice spatial vision, spatial awareness, and drawing analysis and representation of space-based interactions and processes.
Presentation skills
Presenting oneself and one's own ideas and projects in front of an audience or clients is a skill that accompanies designers throughout their entire professional lives and often plays a decisive role in the success of a project. In the course on presentation skills, the relevant competencies are taught and practiced.
+++MODULE: FUTURE COMPETENCIES
The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Design & Art is a place for people who shape the future and approach everything unknown with an open mind. Designers see how society, culture, economy and technology could also still look and show new ways. They do this with the skills and knowledge from their field. These are supplemented by seven interdisciplinary future competencies, for which a wide range of modules is offered:
- Digitality: Understanding and using new technologies
Students learn about the special features of the digital world, reflect on them, know how they work, and deal with digital media artistically and creatively.
- Sustainability: Taking responsibility for the planet
Students raise their awareness of the consequences of ecological, social and economic actions and their impact on the environment(s).
- Critical Thinking: Reflecting on Design, Film, and Art
Students adopt a critical stance toward their creative practice. They classify their work by learning about and applying different theories of art, design, and film.
- Exploratory research: Questions before answers
Students learn creative, artistic, and scientific methods in the exploration of new areas of knowledge.
- Self-empowerment & engagement: finding and contributing identity
Students reflect on themselves and their role in the team and in society. They develop their personality, adopt an attitude and become outwardly effective with their actions.
- Creative Entrepreneurship: Building a Business
Students understand how to position themselves and their work in the marketplace, network, and build a livelihood.
- Material & Practice: Creating Something
Students realize their ideas in our digital and analog workshops and acquire craft (art) skills.
In addition to future competencies, overarching theory on scientific work, methods and writing is taught. Students acquire theoretical and methodological knowledge and learn to reflect and present their work linguistically.
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THESIS MODULE
The Spatial Design course concludes with a Bachelor's thesis comprised of a theoretical (written) paper and a practical project. Students usually choose the topic themselves, ideally in cooperation with an organisation in industry or the public sector.
For the Bachelor project, students realise a complex design and thereby demonstrate the entire design process, from initial inception of the model/prototype to its construction and testing. Mentors support and advise them throughout. Projects are presented to the jury and the public at the end-of-year degree show.
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