University of Wuppertal
Strategic Innovation in Products and Services (MA)
Statement by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fabian Hemmert:
‘What I particularly appreciate about studying Industrial Design in Wuppertal is the unique combination of human and technical focus. Our students benefit from a well-founded process and a family environment that is really supportive. The diverse perspectives we bring in, such as sociology, psychology and sustainability, are particularly exciting – aspects that only a university can offer.’
Professors
Prof. Dr. Martina Fineder Hochmayr
Design theory and design research
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fabian Hemmert
Interface and user experience design
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Des. Andreas Kalweit
Manufacturing & Material Science / Dekan
Prof. Dipl.-Des. Matthias Schönherr
Presentation technology / design development
Prof. Martin Topel
Capital goods and product systems
Prof. Dipl.-Des. Gert Trauernicht
Consumer goods and interface design
Prof. Katharina Maderthaner
Artistic basics
Prof. Dr. Christa Liedtke
Design for Sustainability and Circularity
Hon.-Prof. Dipl.-Des. Oliver Grabes
Consumer goods design
The Industrial Design (BA) and Strategic Innovation in Products and Services (MA) degree programmes at the Faculty of Design and Art at the University of Wuppertal are an invitation to those who want to shape the future. We teach our students how to make the world a little better, incorporate sustainability into their projects, develop innovations and act with vision. Our mission is to inspire and educate young creative minds who want to understand and actively tackle the challenges of our time. In our labs, workshops and seminar rooms, it is fun to learn and try things out. Teachers and staff support students intensively and at eye level – we combine theory and practice and provide comprehensive preparation for working life.
Industrial Design (BA)
In the Bachelor’s degree programme in Industrial Design at the University of Wuppertal, you will immerse yourself in scientific and design studies that focus on technical products/product systems and take sustainability into account just as much as UX/UI design.We not only focus on the aesthetic design of surfaces, but also on thorough research, analysing problems and developing innovative solutions. You will learn how to implement your ideas directly and practically in collaboration with companies.Internationality is also important to us: almost half of each year group completes a semester abroad at our partner universities in the USA, Europe or Asia.The programme usually lasts eight semesters, including an internship, and starts each year in the winter semester.
Strategic Innovation in Products and Services (MA)
The Master’s degree programme in Strategic Innovation in Products and Services is aimed at graduates from the disciplines of design, economics and engineering. Students work together in an interdisciplinary team and deal with strategic questions of brand and product development in cooperation with companies or with relevant topics for society and sustainability in cooperation with institutions. Our chairs work closely together to ensure a comprehensive view of each project. The student groups are small and are intensively supervised. Depending on the co-operation partner, the projects can also be carried out in English. Our aim is to enable students to develop innovations that can survive in a global context.
Promotion
The University of Wuppertal is one of the few universities in Germany to offer the opportunity to study for a doctorate in design. The academic degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Dr phil.) is awarded. The doctorate offers graduates the opportunity to pursue their research interests in greater depth and make significant contributions to design research.
