Create impact on life and experience in an ever-changing society by becoming an industrial designer.
Aesthetics, utility, materiality, emotional impact, readability, formal value: the design of industrial goods is based on the knowledge and expertise of a wide range of disciplines. In view of playing an active part as a designer in our rapidly changing lifeworld, the BA course at the Institute of Industrial Design provides you with competence in your own subject field and substantial knowledge and practice in adjacent areas.
In the first year of your studies (Basic Study) you are taught the conceptual, methodological and hands-on basic skills required in the creative, problem-focused design process, as a foundation to your own future independent and critical design work. You also learn how to display and communicate core elements of the design process, for example, in the shape of drawings, models and virtual simulations. The Main Studies Course centres, above all, on in-depth project work in the context of the freely selectable focus projects “Introduction, Practice, and Vision”. These modules are of varying length and complexity.
Upon attaining your BA degree you have the competence and skills to work for a design department of a large company, for independent design studios or set up your own creative business.
Events
Next to numerous events such as degree exhibitions, design talks with international guests as well as public presentations we regularly present the show "LOOK – Open Day" at the end of the term. Here is all the info you need – come and visit us!
Information on programme contents
Our study programme bears on issues of social significance. Accordingly the subject focuses range from sustainable production to medical design, transport, social innovation, home and living, to interface design. They also cover matters concerning the design of consumer as well as capital goods. Critical reflection on contents, processes and standards is a prerequisite for the development of innovative concepts and solutions.
Structure of the programme:
Basic Studies Course (Semesters 1 and 2) In the Basic Studies Course you acquire the necessary technical, methodological, hands-on and design-related knowledge and skills, in parallel with project work. Simple, short-term projects are complemented by focus exercises and in-depth lectures.
Main Studies Course (Semesters 3 to 6) In the Main Studies Course you are primarily involved in project work. Introductory, practical and vision-related projects vary in terms of length and complexity. By selecting specific modules (compulsory subjects) students set their own, individual focuses. In the sixth, and last, semester the students concentrate exclusively on their Bachelor thesis.
In selecting modules students are able to set their own training priorities.
As a BA graduate in Product and Industrial Design a highly diversified professional field awaits you, often requiring a high degree of specialization. You have the skills and knowledge to work in design departments of major corporations, for independent design studios or set up your own creative business.
The growth in communication and information technologies is creating ever-new opportunities for industrial designers, for example, in the field of digital services.
As a rule admission to the enrolment procedure requires the following:
Swiss state-certified high school diploma (Matura)
Swiss state-certified professional Matura diploma
Teacher’s College degree
Swiss state-certified vocational Matura diploma
Three-year certificate from a state-certified intermediate commercial college (Handelsmittelschule)
In the case of other degree qualifications, the FHNW Academy of Art and Design carries out an equivalence test.
Concerning application to the Bachelor of Arts FHNW course in Product and Industrial Design, the Academy requires in addition by way of proof one year of professional experience or the completion of a one-year preparatory course in Design. Work experience should include practical and theoretical knowledge in a field related to the intended study course. Here is a list of relevant professions (PDF, 53 KB).
Proof of professional experience or the completion of a preparatory course is not required from students with a professional Matura diploma in a field related to the intended study course, a Swiss state-certified high school diploma (Matura) with a focus on visual art and design, or a professional Matura diploma in a design-oriented field. It is not mandatory that the degree be in a profession related to the intended study course.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the enrolment process at the FHNW Academy of Art and Design.
Outgoing students
The FHNW Academy of Art and Design is part of a network of universities and academies at home and abroad. Our affiliation with renowned schools in Europe, America and Asia provides students the opportunity to complete an exchange semester and advance their knowledge in their specific field of study from a different perspective and against the backdrop of a different cultural environment. The Academy supports applications for an exchange semester in the context of the European Erasmus scholarship programme and, at the same time, welcomes applications by foreign students to study in Switzerland.
Incoming students
The Academy welcomes students from other universities at home and abroad to its study programmes. For more information and the correct Application Form see under “Incoming students”.
For more information on exchange and mobility please contact the director’s office of the respective institute or the International Office:
