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Crossmedia Design
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Course

Course

By studying Crossmedia Design, you will become a designer well-versed in all pertinent media and capable of communicating at the level of an art director. This course encourages you to define your position within the dynamic industry while also engaging with pressing social and societal issues. Through intentional individuality, an individual signature, communicative excellence, and a professional attitude, you will acquire the skills to persuade effectively.

Find your own way in the world of design

Within the bachelor's course Crossmedia Design in Enschede, you'll build a well-stocked toolbox where practice and theory seamlessly integrate. You will learn design, concept, and strategy, and take classes in typography, photography, film, illustration, animation and interactive media, along with the associated software. Crossmedia Design is fundamentally broad but not generalistic. As a student, you'll experience a significant degree of freedom while maintaining structure, using your own fascination as a starting point. This is how you become a skilled designer with your own vision and identity.

Individual development

Throughout the course, your individual development and choices are key, but always within the context of the entire design world. And that works. We get rave reviews from the studios where our students do their internships:

These are the people we need. People with an overall grasp and expertise, but also with their own view of the world.”

SAATCHI & SAATCHI GERMANY  

Course structure

  • Orientation

    Lessons in the initial year are class-based. You will familiarise yourself with the visual media, such as drawing, photography and film. The second semester is devoted primarily to creating imagery, with a focus on design issues. You explore a variety of visual mediums, including our workshops, and develop your visual abilities and quality in subjects such as text, concept, image, handmade, and material. You receive instruction in theory and philosophy, and you learn to express yourself at the Writing Academy.

    In the first year, you also have the option to apply for the Honours Lab as a supplement to the theoretical curriculum of the Crossmedia Design program.

  • Projects

    In the second year, the focus is on exploring the possibilities of various design challenges and media. The assignments in the first half of the year are short and intensive, allowing you to become familiar with all facets of design and various forms of expression, as well as different design processes. In the second semester of the second year, assignments become more extended, and you combine diverse media and possibilities. From this semester onwards, you also have the opportunity to undertake your own research project, for example, in our BioLab.

    Throughout the first and second years, classroom lessons dedicate significant attention to formulating and receiving criticism. This helps you develop the skills to reflect and establish your own position, which is crucial for the continuation of the program.

  • Your own position

    Based on your interests and talents, in the first half of the third year, you'll choose from a diverse range of short and long-term projects. The project structure provides ample space for you to approach a variety of problem statements from your unique perspective. You'll learn to collaborate in (changing) design teams, taking on specific roles. Taking responsibility, you'll develop your own specialization, strategy, and work approach. During this period, you'll compile a portfolio in preparation for an internship or an exchange program at a foreign academy in the second half of the year.

  • Strengthening your own position  

    In the first half of the fourth year, you'll have ample space to delve into a theoretical investigation and pursue your own projects. This period provides an opportunity to broaden and deepen your understanding of what you need for further development in your chosen direction.

    In the final semester, your focus shifts entirely to your graduation, consisting of a portfolio (both print and online), a thesis (in print), and a graduation project (utilizing media of your choice). You'll present your project at the culmination of your studies during the ArtEZ finals in Enschede.

What do you learn on the Crossmedia Design course at ArtEZ AKI?  

Each year of the course curriculum consists of two semesters, which conclude with an assessment. In each academic year, you will take the following subjects: 

  • Graphic design / Typography
  • Photography / Film
  • Illustration / Animation / Motion graphics
  • Spatial design / Public space
  • Interactive media / Scenario
  • Theory in the Arts / Philosophy

In addition, we offer clinics to help you deepen or broaden your knowledge. For example, bookbinding, virtual reality, street art, 3D modelling, printing techniques such as cyanotype, textiles, presentation techniques and bio-art.   

You’ll learn to design in 2D (print; books, posters, leaflets...), 3D (spatial; exhibitions, signage, public spaces...), 4D (time-based; film, animation, websites, apps, ...) and in 2-3-4D combinations (identity, campaigns, events, product development, games...). You’ll use your talents, knowledge and skills to create an authentic, effective end product. Key questions will include: What do I want to communicate? How can I make the best use of my goal? Which media do I use?  

A starting point is that all media should make use of the same elements: surface, shape, colour, frame, relationship and context. This basic knowledge is central to the first part of the course and is applied to a wide range of media and manifestations.  

Crossmedia Design
Design Ryo Sakamoto Crossmedia Design

Challenging practical assignments  

The Crossmedia Design course has its own design agency, in which you will work on challenging practical assignments under the supervision of lecturers. Every year, this agency takes on a wide range of design assignments, such as publications, corporate design, campaigns, websites, motion graphics and video, plus long(er) running practical assignments, collaborating with alumni and third parties.  

Doing research outside of your regular class hours

When you study at ArtEZ, you also get acquainted with research. Think of theory classes, material research, and socially engaged research. Within your course, there is ample support and space to discover what kind of artistic researcher you are. But outside your regular class hours, there are also special initiatives, activities, and workshops where you can work on research. Especially for students who seek further depth. Curious? Then quickly read more about the (extracurricular) research activities.

Doing research outside of your regular class hours

Course supervision  

The emphasis during the course is on individual supervision, also in the classroom setting. Starting in the second year, you will be assigned a lecturer as your personal mentor, with whom you will discuss your progress on a monthly basis: what do you want and how will you achieve it?  

Facilities  

Along with the Moving Image and Fine Art courses, the Crossmedia Design course makes up a small-scale art academy, a loose, non-competitive sanctuary for the independent artists and designers of today and tomorrow. Because of the small scale and character of the academy, friendships, mutual exchanges and collaboration easily arise across disciplines, sometimes even for life. 

AKI is a small but dedicated academy, with professional workshops for metal, plastics, screen printing, graphics, ceramics and wood. With large-format plotters, laser cutters, 3D printers, an extensive video and photo studio and analogue darkrooms. With studios and exhibition spaces. It could hardly be better, but if a student has other requirements, we are always keen to find solutions. You can collaborate with students from the University of Technology, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede.

  • Get an impression of the Academy with this video:  

 

Studying in Enschede 

Look here for more information about studying in Enschede.