ArtEZ University of the Arts

Bachelor in Crossmedia Design

Year 1: Orientation

In the first year (the propaedeutic phase), you work in a class-based setting. You explore a wide range of visual tools, including those available in our workshops, and you develop your visual ability and artistic quality through subjects such as text, concept, image, handmade and material. You also take courses in theory and philosophy, and you learn to express yourself in the Writing Academy.

In the first year, you may apply for the Honours Programme as an additional, theory-focused track alongside the Crossmedia Design curriculum.

Year 2: Projects

In the second year, the focus lies on exploring the possibilities of different design questions and media. Assignments in the first half of the year are short and intensive, helping you become familiar with all design facets, forms of expression and design processes. In the second semester, the projects become longer and you combine different media and methodologies. From this point onwards, you can also start an individual research project, for example in our BioLab.

In both the first and second year, considerable attention is given to formulating and receiving critique. This helps you learn to reflect and to take a position of your own, which is essential for the rest of the programme.

Year 3: Defining your own direction

Based on your interests and talents, you choose from a wide range of short and long projects in the first half of the third year. This project structure gives you the space to work from your own perspective on diverse design challenges. You learn to work within (changing) design teams and to take on a meaningful role. You take responsibility and develop your own specialisation, strategy and working approach. You create a portfolio so you can take part in an internship or an exchange at an academy abroad during the second half of the year.

Crossmedia Design students have previously interned at studios and organisations such as KesselsKramer, Foam, Volkskrant Magazine, Mediamatic, Flow Magazine, NOS, Jung von Matt and Saatchi & Saatchi. For internships we work with an extensive network ranging from local studios to renowned international design agencies. Some alumni even receive job offers from their internship placements.

Year 4: Strengthening your own position

In the first half of the fourth year, you have plenty of space to work on theoretical research and personal projects. This offers you the opportunity to deepen or broaden your practice in whatever direction you need for your further development.

In the final semester, you focus fully on your final exam, which consists of a portfolio (print and online), a written thesis and a graduation project in a medium of your choice. You present your project at the end of your studies during the ArtEZ finals in Enschede.

Projects

• Challenging real-world assignments - Crossmedia Design has its own in-house design studio, where you work under the guidance of lecturers on challenging professional assignments. Each year, the studio takes on a wide range of projects, including publications, corporate design, campaigns, websites, motion graphics and video, as well as longer-term commissions carried out in collaboration with alumni and external partners.
• Projects with makers from the field - You also take part in extended practice-based projects in which you collaborate with alumni and external professionals. In addition, you regularly work with students from other programmes such as Moving Image and Fine Art. This allows you to build a broad professional network already during your studies.

What you'll learn

With the Crossmedia Design programme, you become a designer with a solid understanding of all relevant media and the ability to communicate at the level of an art director. The programme encourages you to define your own position within a dynamic professional field and to engage with urgent social and societal issues. Through deliberate individuality, a personal visual signature, strong communication skills and a professional attitude, you learn how to convince and connect.

Each year of the programme consists of two semesters, each concluded with an assessment. In every study year, you take the following subjects:

• Graphic Design / Typography
• Photography / Film
• Illustration / Animation / Motion Graphics
• Spatial Design / Public Space
• Interactive Media / Script
• Theory in the Arts / Philosophy

In addition, we offer workshops that help you deepen or broaden your skills. These may include bookbinding, virtual reality, street art, 3D modelling, printing techniques such as cyanotype, textiles, and presentation techniques.

You learn to design in 2D (print; books, posters, leaflets, …), 3D (spatial; exhibitions, wayfinding, public space, …), 4D (time-based; film, animation, websites, apps, …) and in 2–3–4D combinations (identity design, campaigns, events, product development, games, …). You use your talents, knowledge and skills to create an authentic and effective final product. Central to this are questions such as: What do I want to communicate? How can I reach my goal most effectively? Which tools and media should I use?

A key principle is that all media rely on the same visual elements: plane, form, colour, frame, proportion, relationship and context. This foundational knowledge is introduced in the first part of the programme and applied across a wide range of media and formats.

With your degree, you can start working straight away as an independent designer, art director or creative strategist. You might join a design or communications agency, a publishing house, an advertising agency or a media company. Some of our alumni choose to work freelance, while others join larger creative teams.

You will work on exciting projects such as corporate designs, advertising campaigns, websites, films, animations and interactive productions. Your clients may come from a wide range of sectors, including culture, media, commerce and socially engaged organisations. You often work in collaboration with photographers, writers, filmmakers, illustrators and developers.