In the Studio Scenography programme, students advance their skills of translating complex contents into walk-in spatial images and to inject narrative quality into staged spaces. Alongside getting to know the tools and methods of designing staged spaces, the students are given the opportunity to work on hands-on projects together with renowned experts. The aim of the Studio Scenography is to teach students in their role as independent designers how to assume progressive positions in the context of scenography. Relevance in the sense of “social scenography”, the efficient use of the means at hand, and the application of state-of-the-art production techniques constitute the framework of this kind of project-based, research work. In the first two semesters of Studio Scenography, students propose creative projects regarding currently topical issues on the basis of which the tools of orchestrated, spatial-dramaturgical – in particular the scenographic score and the storyboard – are introduced and tested. Students are familiarized with the parameters of scenography as developed by Prof Uwe R. Brückner in his concept of “creativ(e) structure(e)” – the object, content, space, viewer parameters – with the aim of developing project-specific, memorable spatial dramaturgies and tracks. In the course of the second semester, students begin to engage with and conceptualize the subject of their upcoming MA thesis. They have the choice of whether they wish to conclude the project-based, written and practical MA thesis in one (full-time) or two semesters (part-time). The students get to choose the format of their project – exhibition, installation, performance, stage-set, etc.). The choice of supporting mentors depends on the content and requirements of the chosen project format. The offer is aimed at interior designers, architects, set designers and designers in general who wish to advance their skills in creating dense spatial narratives and to explore new application opportunities and spheres of activity in the field of scenography.
Thank you for your interest in studying at the Basel Academy of Art and Design. The application deadline for a Bachelor's degree programme beginning in the fall semester 2024/25 has expired on March 15, 2024. The next application window for the fall semester 2025/26 opens on November 1, 2024.
NOTICE late application: It is possible to submit a late application. To do so, please contact us by email. If you have any further questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Information on admission, aptitude assessment and admission to the study programme
Academical qualifications Admission to the aptitude assessment normally requires one of the following qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in Design or a related field of study.
A similar, equivalent degree in Design (at BA level pursuant to the “Dublin Descriptors").
If an applicant shows promising design potential, lateral entry from a different discipline is possible; in this case, please contact the Head of the degree programme.
Language of tuition International students are welcome to apply for the Master’s degree programme. The language of tuition is English and partly German (B2 level or equivalent).
To apply for a place at the HGK Basel, the required documents must be submitted by 15.03.2024. Please send the specific enquiries to email address.
The course is aimed at interested and critical designers, architects, interior designers, and other professionals with an affinity for design who want to further develop their conceptual skills and their interdisciplinary communication and who want to help shape our world as creatives.
The basic module “Design Culture” deals with topics and specific features of different design disciplines and questions them in a critical, culture-scientific context. Students apply theories and discourses to explicit examples from contemporary culture and inspect them from the perspective of their own design work. “Design Process” examines alternative modes of approach, deviating design concepts and the concept of design as an ongoing process. “Design Research” teaches the basics of design research and introduces students to research-oriented project development; thereby they apply the methods of design research, sound the function of experiments in design processes, and familiarize themselves with the latest approaches in critical research.
Graduates are qualified to work as designers in cultural or business settings and assume responsible positions in full-service design agencies; they can set up their own business, either alone or in a team, or they can choose to pursue a career in teaching and research. Students with an MA degree command cross-disciplinary skills that qualify them for professional work as a designer in a design agency, for a career in teaching and research, for free-lance work, either alone or in a team, or to set up a business of their own.
With its studios and central Campus.Workshops, HGK offers ideal conditions for combining craft curiosity, the acquisition of technical skills, and the necessary digital know-how. In addition, all students have their own 24/7 workspace in one of the spacious studios. In addition, the programme Interior Design & Scenography features an analogue and a digital workshop. The facilities are open to students 365 days a year.
Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW Masterstudio Design (MA) ICDP Freilager-Platz 1 Postfach CH-4002 Basel
room D 4.05
Masterstudio Design (MA) ICDP
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern SwitzerlandBasel Academy of Art and Design,
Masterstudio Design (MA) ICDP
Tower: D 4.05Freilager-Platz 1CH - 4142 Münchenstein near Basel
