All continuing education programmes

How can art become a force for peace? This programme explores the potential of artistic practice in conflict transformation, community building, and social healing. Through theory, dialogue, and creative action, you develop tools to engage with complex global challenges in ethical and imaginative ways.

The International Master of Design in Graphic Design UIC/HGK Basel program (MDes Basel) is a collaboration between two preeminent design schools housed in leading public research institutions: The Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE) of the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW (HGK Basel) and the School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The MDes Basel program offers advanced design students’ opportunities to amplify their creative abilities as they engage in the world-class cultural offerings of two vibrant cities. The students are enrolled at UIC, the teaching takes place at the HGK Basel. Upon successful completion of the MAS, graduates are granted an internationally accredited Master of Design (MDes) from the University of Illinois Chicago and two MAS-certificates from the HGK Basel.

How do we navigate, shape, and question the digital world? This programme explores digital technologies as cultural, political, and artistic phenomena. You critically engage with platforms, algorithms, and digital practices - and develop strategies to act creatively, reflectively, and responsibly in our networked society.

What makes a poster unforgettable? In this workshop, participants learn how to transform a clear idea into a visually compelling poster. They work with colour, form, and typography to convey content concisely and develop a unique design style.

What can happen in one transformative week of making, thinking, and connecting? The Summer School invites you to explore art and design through intensive workshops led by international practitioners. In an open and interdisciplinary setting, you experiment, reflect, and expand your creative practice — right in the cultural heart of Basel.

How do letterforms shape the way we read and feel? In this module, you dive into the fundamentals of type design — from sketch to digital font. You explore the aesthetics, structure, and rhythm of typography while developing your own typeface through guided practice and critical reflection.

How do images shape what we see — and what we believe? This programme explores the power of visual communication across cultures, media, and contexts. You sharpen your ability to read, interpret, and create images critically and creatively — expanding your visual vocabulary as both a maker and a thinker.