We ground our design projects in craft. Every student is free to pick a craft, medium, tool and project format of their liking. They all either raise or answer questions. Here is a selection of projects formats they picked over the last yours. Of course we don’t see them as strict categories, a project can meet criteria of multiple formats.
#productDesign
Something you would love to use. When we design a product we make sure that it is beautiful and easy to use. But we also integrate the production process, its environmental impact, and what values this product represents.
#inspirationalObjects
Something that is useless in a useful way. Not every object we value serves an immediate practical purpose. We also want to surrounds ourselves with things that embody exciting ideas, remind us of an insight or are simply… beautiful.
#installation
Something that speaks to your body. An installation is a stage for an idea. It can offer educational content as well as appeal to our emotional mindset.
#informationGraphics
Something that helps us understand. The key to great infographics is to not just show information. Rather we want to identify relevant knowledge and communicate it clearly for the specific people to be helpful for their decision process.
#illustration
Something that makes the invisible visible. The power of drawing and painting lies in the potential to show something that no photograph ever can.
#photography
Something that shows truth.
#interfaceDesign
Something that helps you interact. Interfaces are bridges between us and the objects we interact with. They mediate between the structures of our minds and those of the object.
#exhibitionDesign
Something that offers context. An exhibition is about structuring knowledge, dramatising ideas, staging a story and celebrating what we value most.
#serviceDesign
Something that connects and helps. Every product is part of a larger context. When we design something new we look at the role this object plays in our lives. In a System Design approach we learn about the interplay of living beings and objects to find modular solutions that adapt to individual needs.
#identityDesign
Something to remember. The core of our identity is what we do and offer to others. Yet a thoughtful communication strategy can help other people to identify our offer and separate the signal from the noise.
#speculativeDesign
Something that asks: What if…? In Speculative Design projects we imagine a future scenario. We think through how things could be and summarise our insights in a tangible object. This object of a possible tomorrow helps us understand and talk about our situation today.
#materialStudy
Something that shows what we can do with a material. Materials are the soil of our ideas, whether they are tangible like clay or abstract like code. Whenever we get our hands dirty and try things out we dramatically expand our creative horizon.