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Graphic Design
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Course

Course

Talent is what you find inside yourself. Inspiration is what you get from the world around you. The combination of the two is your unique added value: your signature as a designer. Over the course of four years, you learn to develop it and apply it in practice. 

Design with meaning

What are you good at, what are your fascinations and where does your talent lie? If you know who you are, that creates space for the other and enables you to tackle challenging design and other topics that are bigger than yourself. 

Choosing Graphic Design in Zwolle is choosing meaningful design. By that we mean you not only use graphic design to make beautiful things, you also make a contribution to the world around you through your discipline. We therefore often work with social and societal themes. 

The course is a place where I can be myself, get to know myself and develop. A place that offers the freedom of creativity to get the best out of myself.
MARJOLEIN DE WIT, student GD2

On camera

The course curriculum

The subject of graphic design changes in parallel with the trends and developments in society and the professional field.Besides offering you a solid foundation of technical subjects, much of the course is dynamic: many of the course components reflect our ever-changing society.

Moving design, for example – a subject that has a different content every time because it is closely tied to developments in the design discipline and in society. Independent research also represents a connecting thread through the course curriculum.You conduct that research yourself, based on a topical theme, and it lays the foundation for your signature as a designer. 

Graphic Design Zwolle teaches you to take your place in the world as a designer. There is a reason for everything you do and you learn to look in a new way.
BABETTE van HUIS, student GD3

Course structure

  • Develop your skills across the spectrum 
    In the first year, you develop your skills across the full spectrum of the graphic design discipline.You will be taught subjects such as typography, image and spatial design. And you will work on your own research, based on the current topic.In the first year, you will also begin your independent research. 

    Learning techniques 
    In addition, right from the first semester you will be introduced to techniques such as photography, graphics, digital media, wood and metal working. After the initial instruction, you can get to work yourself in our well-equipped workshops.You can then go on to apply those techniques in your designs. 

    Work with students from higher years 
    January sees the start of the studio weeks. This is a project in which students from all years of the course take part, focusing on the theme of the fourth-year student’s graduation subject. It is a great opportunity to learn from older students and develop your network. 

    Work with students from other courses 
    In the first year, you will also meet students from other courses at the Academy of Art & Design – during a study trip at the start of the year, for example. For many students, this trip is an excellent opportunity to really get to know their lecturers and fellow students.You also take part in the Summer Lab and Winter Lab. In these labs, you work together across disciplines on topics supplied by clients and artists from the professional field.  You can also apply for the Honours Programme in the first year. 

  • Greater depth 
    In the second year, you are taught the same subjects as in the first year, but you go into greater depth.You explore the following questions:How doesGraphic Design  affect me? What contribution can it make? And what is the impact of different media? 

    International study trip 
    During the second year, you will go on an international study trip.Previous destinations have included Bologna  and Hamburg.You travel to broaden your horizons and engage in conversations about art.Assignments linked to the trip may be carried out while you are abroad or after you return home. 

    Work with other students 
    The Winter Lab, an interdisciplinary project dealing with topics from the professional field, is also part of the second year, as are the Studio Weeks. 

     

  • Start your independent research 
    With your gaze directed outwards, you increasingly develop your own perspective on subjects and events in the world.The subjects you choose are focused more and more on your interests.Accordingly, you go into more depth in your independent research, with the direction of your research reflecting your own identity. In the third year, we work on real assignments from the professional field. 

    Studying abroad 
    During this year, you will again go on a study trip and participate in the Winter Lab and the Studio Weeks.You can also choose to spend six months abroad at one of our partner institutes in the third year. 

    Preparing for your internship 
    On top of that, you will prepare for the internship you will do in your fourth year. You will put together your portfolio and apply to different agencies. 

  • Who are you as a designer? 
    In the fourth year, you are given the space to apply all your skills, knowledge and expertise in an assignment you have developed yourself, with your own theme. In it, you will demonstrate your perspective on the subject and society and how you see your future role as a graphic designer. Research, analysis and critical reflection all represent important elements in your individual learning pathway. 

    Internship  
    In this final year, you go on an internship lasting several months.Previous fourth-year students have secured internship placements at well-known design agencies and companies.We currently have interns working at Silo in The Hague, Circus Andersom in Amsterdam, Studio Boot in Den Bosch, Dana Dijkgraaf in Arnhem, Studio Another Day in Nijmegen, RTRN in Groningen and Bureau Rust, De Design Politie, Mijskenaar and The Beach (all in Amsterdam). 

    Graduation work 
    You conclude year four with a dissertation and the presentation of your finals project. 

     

     

At the academy, I got to know myself as a designer and learned how to relate to current issues in society. I am now putting all of this into practice in my internship.

– MARIJE DROST, student GD4, intern at Circus Andersom 

Own studio's and workshops

As a student and designer, it's great to have a place where you can work undisturbed. A place where you can safely leave or hang your work. So each year group is given its own space: the studio. Lecturers also come and teach there. There are also well-equipped workshops where you can work. Here you will find all kinds of materials such as wood, metal and plastics. There are also a graphic workshop, photo studios and animation studios.In the first year, you will receive instruction in the workshop. After that, you are free to work there. Take a look at the workshops.

For me, Graphic Design represents a welcoming place where I can give my creativity free rein. I am not bound by rules and set material, I learn by discovering my own processes and observing my fellow students. 

FLOOR WOLVEN, student GD2  

Doing research outside of your regular class hours

When you study at ArtEZ, you also get acquainted with research. Think of theory classes, material research, and socially engaged research. Within your course, there is ample support and space to discover what kind of artistic researcher you are. But outside your regular class hours, there are also special initiatives, activities, and workshops where you can work on research. Especially for students who seek further depth. Curious? Then quickly read more about the (extracurricular) research activities.

Doing research outside of your regular class hours

ArtEZ finals

All Graphic Design students showcase their work during the ArtEZ finals in Zwolle. A visit to these graduation exhibitions is highly recommended if you are considering studying Graphic Design.

Studying in Zwolle

You can find more information about studying in Zwolle here.