Transversal Design is a study programme for practice-based research that grows community infrastructures for worlds in transition. We investigate the social, political, ecological and technological dynamics of the systems we live by to design for grounded transformation – from alternative media, speculative models, and practices of care, to tools for solidarity and radical proposals for innovation.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts FHNW in Transversal Design
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning mode
- Onsite
- ECTS credits
- 120
- Next start
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 Semester
- Teaching language
- English (B2 or equivalent)
- Place
- Campus HGK Basel
- Stay abroad
- Possible
- Application fee
- CHF 200.- (incl. aptitude assessment and enrolment)
- Semester fee
- CHF 750 (CH); CHF 1.000 (EU); CHF 1.250 (Not-EU/EFTA)
At a glance
- Students develop critical practices for changing worlds – from alternative media, speculative models and practices of care to tools for solidarity and radical proposals for innovation.
- Students are invited to design, document, rehearse, publish, hack, play, build, research, organise and write.
- New ways of thinking about the role of design in society are being explored.
Collective cyanotyping a textile piece from the reclaiming archives workshop «Clavado en media del sol-Thrust out under the sun» hosted by Camila Amancay Chebez in collaboration with Azura Silberschmidt during the public event «To Dance on Tables» at TransBona Halle Dreispitz in July 2024. 
Collective cyanotyping a textile piece from the reclaiming archives workshop «Clavado en media del sol-Thrust out under the sun» hosted by Camila Amancay Chebez in collaboration with Azura Silberschmidt during the public event «To Dance on Tables» at TransBona Halle Dreispitz in July 2024.
Photo: Qingyi Ren
Student-organized talk series «Chatty Chatty» by Camila Chebez, Fabian Frey, Maria Maddalena Lenzi, and Danuka Tomas to gather, exchange ideas, and connect meaningfully with invited guests. Here in conversation with Bianca Elzenbaumer (Brave New Alps / La Foresta) in the forest of Rovereto during a study trip to Italy, 2024.
Photo: Kit Braybrooke
Why study this?
Goals and benefits
Career prospects
Students assembling «Infrastructuring Orientations», an experimental publication format guided by Prof. Dr. Lucie Kolb and presented at the «I Never Read, Art Book Fair Basel», 2024.
Photo: Maddalena Maria Lenzi
Zhixian Zhang «One Thousand Nights and One Night», student work at the public event «To Dance on Tables» at TransBona Halle Dreispitz in July 2024.
Photo: Transversal Design Team / HGK Basel FHNW
Structure and programme contents
The study programme
Target audience
Infrastructure
Study Trip to La Foresta / Rovereto with Bianca Elzenbaumer (Brave New Alps) Italy, 2024.
Photo: Kit Braybrooke
Leonard Krättli, Carolin Lerner, Anaïs Marti “Living with Microbes”, Design Culture Module with Prof. Dr. Helen V. Pritchard.
Photo: Carolin Lerner
International
International Office
Exchange programmes offer students and staff the opportunity to network and develop both within Switzerland and internationally. The Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW maintains partnerships and accredited agreements with universities and academies in Switzerland and abroad.
Georg Mattli «Wool for Free» at the public event «To Dance on Tables» TransBona Halle July 2024.
Photo: Transversal Design Team, 2024Student-organized talk series «Chatty Chatty» by Camila Chebez, Fabian Frey, Maria Maddalena Lenzi, and Danuka Tomas to gather, exchange ideas, and connect meaningfully with invited guests. Here in conversation with Bianca Elzenbaumer (Brave New Alps / La Foresta) in the forest of Rovereto during a study trip to Italy, 2024.
Photo: Kit Braybrooke
Mariana Murcia «Radio Salmon – Wetland Frequencies» at the public event «To Dance on Tables» Transbona Halle July 2024.
Photo: Transversal Design Team, 2024
Requirements and admission
Admission requirements
Information of the aptitude assessment + dates + study regulations
FAQ online registration
Advising and information events
Contact
Prof. Dr. Kit Braybrooke
Head of MA Transversal Design
- Phone
- +41 61 228 42 35 (Direct)
- kit.braybrooke@fhnw.ch
Transversal Design (MA)
- Phone
- +41 61 228 40 66 (Central office)
Team Institut Experimentelles Design und Medienkulturen (IXDM)
- Phone
- +41 61 228 40 66 (Central office)
- info.ixdm.hgk@fhnw.ch
Information events
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Registration
Thank you for your interest in studying at the Basel Academy of Art and Design. The application deadline for a Master's degree programme beginning in the fall semester 2026/27 has expired on March 29, 2026. The next application window for the fall semester 2027/28 opens on November 1, 2026.
Transversal DesignSeptember 2026
- Date
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 Semester
- Place
- Campus HGK Basel
- Application start
- 1.11.2025
- Final application date
- 29.3.2026
- Notes
- The application window has been extended until 29 March 2026.
Transversal DesignSeptember 2027
- Date
- 20.9.2027
- Duration
- 4 Semester
- Place
- Campus HGK Basel
- Application start
- 1.11.2026
- Final application date
- 15.3.2027
Institute Experimental Design and Media Cultures (IXDM)
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Basel Academy of Art and Design
Institute Experimental Design and Media Cultures (IXDM), Highrise: D. 3.01
Freilager-Platz 1
CH - 4142 Münchenstein near Basel
Campus HGK Basel
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Basel Academy of Art and Design
Freilager-Platz 1
4142 Münchenstein near Basel