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Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE)

Through the propagation of digital media and the concomitant democratization of communication channels, the critical approach to visual and interaction-based design has manifestly gained in importance, not least because it has fundamentally changed the significance of information and communication in society.

The aim of the Institute is to apply the new technological achievements by means of experiment in realistic as well as speculative scenarios in the context of communication, for the purpose of developing new application models. Unlike established technologies, new technological advancements can be deployed differently from their originally intended purposes. At the Institute, this new experimental approach is seen as a basis for a reflective engagement with communication, visual communication, images and their impact, along with technological development in general.

The Institute pursues its activities with regard to training through the BA degree programme Visual Communication and Digital Spaces and the research-focussed MA programme Digital Communication Environments.

In the field of continuing education, the Institute offers two MAS degree programmes in Graphic Design in collaboration with the University of Illinois Chicago, along with the Basel Summer and Winter Workshops, respectively.

In the service sector, the ANDICO LAB handles communication projects on behalf of public institutions, organizations, and businesses. In research, the Institute carries out externally funded projects in the field of applied media, communication, visual, conceptual and design research. PhD projects in the aforementioned fields are offered in collaboration with universities in Switzerland and abroad.

Visual Communication and Digital Spaces BA

Digital media and the resulting ease with which images can be communicated has made the need for a critical reflection on pictorial communication ever more ...

Visual Communication and Digital Spaces BA

Digital Communication Environments MA

In the master‘s degree, praxis-orientated design and aspects of image and media theory as well as image and media research are interlinked.

Digital Communication Environments MA


Continuing Education IDCE

MAS / CAS

International Master of Design UIC/HGK

The internationally accredited MDes/MAS is a 4 Semester, 120 ECTS (60 US Credits), full-time programme.

to International Master of Design UIC/HGK

Visual Literacy

The visual has become increasingly important as the range of digital tools and communication channels continues to grow. Visual messages in analogue and ...

to Visual Literacy

Digital Literacy

With the increasing spread of digital tools and communication channels, the question of how to design them is becoming more and more important. The CAS Digital ...

to Digital Literacy

IDCE Workshops and Modules

Generative AI in the context of art and design

Next Start: 20. January 2025

to Generative AI in the context of art and design

From Web To Print

Next Start: 27. January 2025

to From Web To Print

Game Design

Next Start: 3. February 2025

to Game Design

Editorial Design

Next Start: 3. February 2025

to Editorial Design

Typography basics - Combining Typefaces

Next Start: 10. February 2025

to Typography basics - Combining Typefaces

Tender Computing

10. February 2025

to Tender Computing

Perception Studies

Next Start: 2025

to Perception Studies

Design History – the Myth of Swiss Style

Next Start: 2025

to Design History – the Myth of Swiss Style

Hacking Gutenberg

Next Start: June 2025

to Hacking Gutenberg

Poster Design

Next Start: June 2025

to Poster Design

Type Design

Next Start: July 2025

to Type Design

Inquiry by Design

Next Start: July 2025

to Inquiry by Design

UX/UI Design

Next Start: July 2025

to UX/UI Design

Networked Publishing

Next Start: July 2025

to Networked Publishing

Generative Design

Next Start: July 2025

to Generative Design
All Continuing Education HGK

Research (DE)

Incubator for Design Cultures (swissuniversities)

to Incubator for Design Cultures (swissuniversities)

Inklusion von LGBTIQ+ Studierenden an Schweizer Hochschulen

to Inklusion von LGBTIQ+ Studierenden an Schweizer Hochschulen

Emerging Practices in Modular Synthesis: Towards a Virtual Ethnography for Mixed Realities

to Emerging Practices in Modular Synthesis: Towards a Virtual Ethnography for Mixed Realities
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IDCE Labs

Analog Digital Communication Lab (ANDICO LAB)

to Analog Digital Communication Lab (ANDICO LAB)

Basel Design History Lab

to Basel Design History Lab

Critical Icono Enthnography Lab (CIELab)

to Critical Icono Enthnography Lab (CIELab)

Creative Technologies Lab

to Creative Technologies Lab

Projects (DE)


Thesis-Projects: nextgeneration.hgk.fhnw.ch

You can get insights into current projects from our various programs on our Institute’s Instagram channel: @hgkbasel_idce

Current projects from the IDCE study programmes: openhouse.hgk.fhnw.ch

Tower Light Projection

to Tower Light Projection
Alle ansehen

Publications

You can find an extract of the Institute’s bibliography here



Network and partners

The Institute Visual Communication has a diverse network of partner institutions that includes, among others, the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India, the Paju Institute of Typography, South Korea, the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, USA.

Meet our team

The Institute Visual Communication is run by a highly motivated and internationally orientated team of lecturers, assistants, research associates and administrative staff. Team members engage themselves in current discourse around praxis, research and theory of visual communication. They are qualified for the preparation of students for current and future questions.

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Institute Digital Communication Environments IDCE

FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland Basel Academy of Art and Design, Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE) High-rise: D 5.03 Freilager-Platz 1 CH - 4142 Münchenstein near Basel

Dreispitz Basel

FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland Basel Academy of Art and Design Freilager-Platz 1 4142 Münchenstein near Basel
More information about the location