Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Art and Design
The HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Art and Design with its approximately 700 students stands for an education that is as up-to-date as it is traditional. Its success is based on its ability to develop continuously and carefully. The HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd draws its creative power from this combination of continuity and the influence of the latest scientific, social and economic developments.
The HfG offers three Bachelor’s degree courses and one Master’s degree course and is the only state university to focus exclusively on the discipline of design. Through interdisciplinary courses and intensive exchange, a wide range of courses is offered in small groups with intensive supervision. With around 50 partner universities, the HfG has a worldwide network of attractive partnerships that students can use for a semester abroad or to pursue a Master’s degree program.
„Gmünder Modell“
The “Gmünder Model” comprises an intensive foundation that leads into practice-oriented project courses. The focus is on the rational justification of design decisions. Design is teamwork, which is why many projects are developed in groups – learning together and from each other. Ecological and social aspects of design are taken into account as well as user-friendliness and functionality.
Experiments and studies for research and teaching projects take place in the ergonomics and usability laboratory. In the media lab and prototyping lab, projects are realized with a wide range of technologies using artificial intelligence, software and hardware. A fully-fledged professional video/photo studio offers every opportunity to perfectly stage your own project work with professional camera technology and set it to music in the sound studio.
Study Programme
Product Design
The Product Design course teaches the basics of materials and form, the latest technologies and manufacturing processes, as well as ergonomics and usability. Students then learn to analyze increasingly complex problems and methodically develop innovative solutions. A broad spectrum of products, product systems and services is covered in order to open up a versatile future field of work.
Interaction Design
Interaction designers at the HfG deal with the conception and design of interactive products and services such as apps for mobile devices, interactive exhibits, websites and user interfaces. Only through innovative ideas and a coherent design can meaningful applications be created that are easy and enjoyable to use.
Communication Design
The Communication Design course enables students to work independently on the design of complex problems in a wide variety of media: on screen and on paper, static and animated. The fields of activity in communication design are diverse and range from the development of publications, guiding and orientation systems, and the appearance of institutions and companies to the conception of exhibitions.
Masters program Strategic Design
The Master‘s program in Strategic Design is based on the pillars of design, management and research and gives students the opportunity to expand their skills in complex and interdisciplinary design projects. It is also open to students from other design-related disciplines.