Hochschule
Hannover University of
applied sciences
and arts –Fakultät III
Medien, Information und Design

Cross-curricular teaching - basis and intersection of all design disciplines

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Fundamentals of design

The education of designers cannot be limited to merely serving the current demand profiles of the job markets. A university is also the place from which creative, innovative signals are sent to other areas of society. In order to fulfil this claim and this obligation, we provide our design students with a basic conceptual and methodological qualification - irrespective of their future discipline. Spread over the entire duration of the degree course, with a focus on the first two semesters, we teach theoretical and practical basics in the Bachelor's degree courses, complementing and coordinating with the course content specific to the degree course:

Creating space for development

There is a high creative potential in all our students - otherwise they wouldn't be here. But the assets are often still poorly developed and hidden. A "crust" lies over them. The task of the design fundamentals is to dig up here. To uncover, discover and cultivate talents. Creating space for development. In doing so, everyone is his or her own gardener. We do not distribute creativity here - but create space in which creativity can grow. A lush, rich garden matures, but before the harvest comes the ploughing!

“Creativity” as a core competence

The decisive core competence for us designers is "creativity" itself. This can be trained across the board in all areas. Experimental and intuitive approaches are encouraged. Knowing and controlling one's own creative process is one of the most important skills that designers must have in their rucksack throughout their lives.

Interdisciplinary thinking - subject-related work

Today's design industry is looking for "all-rounders" and "specialists". The two are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other. Being particularly good in a certain field and thus positioning oneself on the market has always been essential. But as projects become increasingly complex, the designers must cultivate an eye for the whole.

Flexibility in thinking, thinking outside the box

The common language of design from all disciplines is discovered and spoken in class. This common denominator is essential for communication between the disciplines. On the one hand, this includes classical basics such as composition, colour theory and material theory. On the other hand, competences such as self-organisation, teamwork and "professional rules of the game" are becoming increasingly important.

Teaching contents

1. 2D Composition

Contrast theory, composition theory, proportion theory, how is tension created in the format? Design elements and design principles, design systems, colour theory, colour systems, form finding

2. Typography, Layout

Calligraphy, font theory, font recognition, differentiation, sensitisation in font choice, basic knowledge of handwriting, experimental design with fonts, typography/calligraphy, design with text and images on the surface Moodboards

3. Experimental Printing Techniques

1. Constructive Drawing

Proportions, statics, nude drawing, irregular shapes, quick drawing, handwriting, individual line, expression.

2. Graphic Design Tools

Ductus, differentiation of the line, light-dark, light-shadow, spatial effect.

3. Experimental Working

Apply different working methods, create serial sequences using different techniques, self-selected themes/content form the basis for free work, sketch ideas, quick draft.

4. Correction Talks

5. Perspective, Composition

1. Different Printing Techniques

Historical development and current use of various printing processes, examples from contemporary art and design, practical work with analogue and digital printing techniques in the field of experimental screen printing, serigraphy and industrial screen printing.

2. Colour

Perception exercises, translation of colour spaces into printed colour surfaces in screen printing, making the print colour mixtures, experimental compositions in screen printing, colour surface designs, working with motive and its content.

3. Technique

Making and working with stencils analogue and digital, workshop skills and materials science.

4. Presentations

Discussion of work results, exhibitions, joint selection, framing, hanging, opening.

1. Projection, Video, Photography, Spatial drawing

Installation as fields of artistic work, conveying the roots of contemporary forms of expression, interdisciplinary free work, developing and realising ideas, learning current artistic strategies, equipment technology.

2. Topics

To perceive the public space visually, acoustically and spatially, to analyse it as a field of events, to physically move there, to develop interventions and other works for it.

Basic forms of animation, video and projections, free artistic approaches in the applied arts, modern application from the roots of contemporary material, discovery of one's own creativity and expansion of one's own vision.

»We are aware that the best way to achieve our goals is through openness and having fun while learning together.«

Prof. Dorothee Weinlich

Artistic work

From an artistic point of view, students experience that seemingly everyday materials and processes reveal amazingly innovative perspectives. The art of immediately getting into creative making with available material is practised in class. We are convinced that interdisciplinary work releases a decisive creative energy that lasts a lifetime. This involves experimenting with free design processes. These exercises show how tasks can be mastered spontaneously.