The contemporary demands on the development of knowledge images are manifold: technical precision and accuracy of content are combined to create authoritative representations that fulfil their communicative purpose. In addition, the depiction of complex contexts, processes and abstract content requires visual creativity in order to make knowledge accessible to both laypeople and experts.
The Illustration Nonfiction degree programme sees itself as a creative laboratory for didactic visualisations. During the programme, students develop the skills for a contemporary professional qualification in modules that build on each other. Learning traditional and digital design techniques forms the basis for the conception and development of didactic visualisations. The possibilities are very diverse, which offers a wide scope for creative development.
Teaching philosophy
The programme begins with an introduction to the basics of visual perception and design. Students learn to better understand the functions of visual languages before applying them later in the programme.
Lectures, workshops and meetings with well-known illustrators and alumni offer in-depth insights into creative practice.
Specialised theory and method modules are integrated into practice and coordinated thematically. Techniques, media and technologies are continuously introduced during the programme. Students learn how to continue learning independently and develop the necessary confidence in their own abilities to assert themselves in contemporary practice.
Structure of the degree programme
The degree programme is structured in a series of modules (teaching units lasting several weeks) that build on each other. A module contains practical exercises, creative/craft inputs and introductions to practice and theory.
The Illustration subject block with the compulsory modules makes up the main part of the programme. This includes all practical modules (blue) and the specialised theory.
There are also compulsory elective modules (saturated yellow): These include +Reflect weeks and the 6-week +Colabor modules; the former offer a wide range of one-week theory courses, while the latter offer a choice of seventeen interdisciplinary courses.
At the end of the spring semester, you can choose the open subject module (green). This lasts four weeks. These courses are designed and offered by the degree programmes.
The range of lessons is rounded off by free electives, the +Focus programmes (light yellow). These offer opportunities to acquire a range of new skills in workshops. The programme includes evening lectures on design, media and art history as well as thematic lecture series and all interdisciplinary courses offered by the entire Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
