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FAQs about Digital Ideation: Answers to the Most Important Questions

The answers to these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) cover issues such as admissions procedure, curriculum content, graduates’ skill sets, study locations and programme timeframes.

What are the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Ideation?

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Admission requirements vary slightly depending on your focus:

Focus Information Technology

  • a recognised vocational baccalaureate 
  • a recognised general baccalaureate with a work placement (internship) 
    or, in certain cases,
  • on approval (i.e. on grounds of one’s portfolio (“sur dossier” procedure). 

In the event of a positive decision by the admissions board, the applicant will then be invited to attend an interview and to take an aptitude text (Admission Examination).
For details, see Admissions Procedure (PDF)

Focus Design

  • a recognised vocational baccalaureate
  • a recognised general baccalaureate, plus one year’s relevant work experience OR a certified preparatory course

Applicants who meet the admission requirements will be invited to submit a portfolio and to complete a home assignment on a set theme. In the event of a positive decision by the admissions board, the applicant will then be invited to attend an interview and to take a creative aptitude text (Admission Examination).
For details, see Admissions Procedure (PDF)

Do I need programming skills for the Digital Ideation program with Information Technology Focus?

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Information Technology Focus: If you don’t have much programming experience, you may take our intensive preparatory course (TIP), which is a robust and comprehensive preparation program. At the start of your study program, you may attend our complementary Coaching module.

Design Focus: There is no prior programming experience required for the Design Focus. You will learn to program while studying.

How math-heavy is the Digital Ideation program with Information Technology Focus?

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Digital Ideation with Information Technology Focus is a comprehensive Information Technology program. In our math modules, you will learn the necessary skills for programming and game and computer graphics and acquire the necessary tools for a qualified Information Technology degree.

If you want to brush up on your math skills, you may sign up for our Foundation Course in Mathematics.

Design Focus: There is no math in the Design Focus. 

Which programming languages will we use in the Digital Ideation with Information Technology Focus?

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In the Information Technology Focus, you will use Unity/C# as an introduction to object-oriented programming.

In the area of games development, you will continue to work with Unity/C#. In the area of web design, you will build advanced skills in state-of-the-art web technologies such as JavaScript frameworks (Nuxt / Vue.js), CSS frameworks (Tailwind), and serverless environments (AWS).

How is the Bachelor programme structured?

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The programme is divided into various types of module, as follows:   

  • Focus-specific modules:

    Focus on Information Technology
    for example: Object-oriented programming, Development for Web & Mobile, etc.  
    Focus Design
    for example: Visual Design, Narratives & Dramaturgy
     
  • Interdisciplinary modules, where technical and creative issues are examined in combination
    for example: Game Design & Development, User Experience Design & Engineering, Information Aesthetics, etc.
     
  • Transfer Modules, which impart complementary theoretical and practical expertise
    for example: Psychology, Project Management
     
  • Project Modules, which is where students apply and expand on all they have learned

  • The Bachelor programme can be individually tailored, since students pursue their own combination of particular interests in the three core subject areas: Web & Mobile, User Experience, and Game. 

Which expertise will I acquire on this degree programme?

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  • Students learn how to develop innovative new ideas. They know which rules govern the use and production of digital media – but know also how to break the rules, intelligently.   
  • They devise, design and produce digital user interfaces, innovative games, immersive virtual worlds, online services and novel interactive products, thereby taking trends in social media and online communities into account; and they keep abreast both of online marketing strategies and mechanisms in digital public spheres.
  • From the interplay of information technology and design along with insights gained from psychology and sociology they learn how to create digital products for specific target groups.
  • They communicate beyond established borders, orchestrating the interplay of various disciplines in adequate and effective ways. 
  • They create new contexts and draw inspiration for innovation from them.
  • They realise their projects within the prescribed timeframes and budgets.  
  • In their design processes, they apply scientific methods with self-assurance and for clearly defined purposes.
  • They use their projects to expand and diversify the core subject areas: User Experience, Web & Mobile, and Games.
  • They position themselves clearly in the fast-paced digital industry, seize the opportunities that digitalisation offers, identify and make use of market niches, and astutely build personal networks of benefit to themselves and their careers. 

What potential career paths does this Bachelor’s equip me for?

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The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Ideation teaches students to devise not only concepts but also the technologies required to make them a reality, either as cross-medial applications or as prototypes: and such skills are much sought-after in business. A degree in Digital Ideation opens the door to a large number of careers:

Focus Information Technology

  • User Experience Engineer, Information Scientist, Game Developer, Web Developer, Media Engineer, Creative Engineer

Focus Design

  • Interaction Designer, User Experience Designer, Media Designer, Game Designer, Web Designer, Ideation Expert, Co-Creator, Visual Designer

How does the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Ideation – Focus Information Technology differ from other Information Technology programmes?

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Digital Ideation focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration with designers. Students learn how to communicate and collaborate beyond the established borders of their own subject area.
Likewise the teaching approach is different than on most other Information Technology degree programmes. Students spend most of their time not in lecture halls but doing project work of their own, which always puts them in touch also with the creative aspects of digital products. 

How does the Digital Ideation with Design Focus differ from other degree programs?

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In the Digital Ideation program, designers are trained to work with IT professionals. They study Visual Communication for the world of digital media while collaborating with students from the young and innovative School of Computer Science and Information Technology. 

What is the timeframe for the Digital Ideation degree programme?

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Digital Ideation lasts for six semesters and may be taken only as a full-time Bachelor degree programme. Commencement of study is possible only in the autumn semester. 

Where is the Bachelor’s degree programme taught?

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All students must move between two locations to attend lectures and work on their projects: the School of Computer Science and Information Technology’s new premises on the Rotkreuz campus; and the School of Art and Design’s premises in Emmenbrücke and Lucerne.

Project workplaces

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You will have personal workplaces in our project environment which have been designed in-house according to the latest science and based on our extensive experience.