Tender Computing

Tender Computing is a concept and workpractice that explores a soft, experimental and playful way of Physical Computing, which means the creative design of interactive objects and spaces. The module provides a project based introduction to Physical Computing and the Tender Concept in a curated lab-like atmosphere.

Key data

ECTS points: 2 ECTS
Next start: Summer 20206
Duration: 1 week
Final application date: June 2026
School days: 5
Teaching language: German / English
Place: Basel
Fee: CHF 900.– (view fees)
Studying type: Full-time

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In order to design interactive objects and spaces, the participants learn how to design and assemble basic electronic circuits and how to code them. The course critically discusses functionality and non-functionality through the process of making and focuses on the variety of aesthetics of electronic circuit designs through handcrafting. The participants learn how to craft sensors and actuators on their own as well as to use industrial sensors as inputs and outputs in a concrete project using iterative processes in the development of a prototype with Arduino. They learn how to work independently with open source tools and information. They deepen their understanding about the use of technology and learn how to communicate a narrative through crafted electronics and coding.

Lecturer

Sophie Kellner is a designer and has been teaching Bachelor and Master at the HGK Ba-sel since 2019. She studied BA Textile Engineering in Albstadt (DE) and MA Fashion and Integrative Design in Basel (CH). In her concept “Tender Computing”, an extension of Physical Computing, she is particularly interested in the question of aesthetics and (non-)functionality of electronics, material and code in contrast to a design after the principle “technology for technology's sake”. She works in an exploratory, playful and experimental way with (non-)conductive materials, coding and narration. Sophie has taught at other institutions including Akademie der Künste Stuttgart, Kulturvermittlung Kanton Aargau, Haus der elektronischen Künste, Pädagogische Hochschule Basel and Vitra Design Museum.

Prerequisites

none

Target group

Interaction design, visual communication, teaching, art.
Interesting for anyone who wants to challenge their creative thinking and making.

Goals and benefits

Basic knowledge of electrical circuits.
Basic knowledge of prototyping and coding with Arduino (C++).
Basic knowledge of designing and crafting.
Transfer of all three areas of expertise.

General Information Workshops Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE)

The Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE) offers workshops for students, educators and graphic designers.

The workshops afford insights into topical themes of visual communication in a study programme reflecting the rich tradition of the Basel School of Design. Practical exercises with a high level of professionalism form the core of the workshops focus. Reflection as well as contextual knowledge will be conveyed by way of input sessions, allowing participants’ work to be judged within a contemporary, future-oriented context relevant to professional practice. The trinational Rhine River Valley is a unique cultural environment with easy access to France and Germany and to sites such as the Vitra Design Museum (G), the Isenheimer Alter (F), or Ronchamps (F). In Basel, the Fondation Beyeler, Tinguely Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Schaulager, and Museum of Contemporary Art are world-renowned. Besides its museums, Basel offers a rich mixture of cultural events.

Fees

Multiple Bookings:
2 ECTS CHF 900.-
4 ECTS CHF 1700.-
6 ECTS CHF 2400.-
8 ECTS CHF 3000.-
10 ECTS CHF 3500.-

20% discount with a valid student ID. This must be sent in with the registration (pdf).

Information and regulations

Terms of participation (PDF)
Information on continuing education FHNW (fhnw.ch/DE)
Continuing education regulations of the universities FHNW (fhnw.ch/DE)

Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE)

Visual communication is a tool of knowledge generation in its own right. Visualizations make things perceptible, imaginable and graspable.

Tender Computing

Key data

Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE)

Dreispitz Basel