The first year of the Major consists of three terms:
- Major 1.1, Common Ground, is related to exploring the core of illustration: telling stories in a visual way. During this project, you are asked to tell the same story in 50 different ways. You will exchange ideas and form a basis of your understanding of the practice of Illustration.
- Practices 1.2 focuses on the on introducing to the content and methodology of WdKA's three graduation profiles (Practices). You will be introduced to the approach, context, professional roles and methodologies associated.
- In Major 1.3 Identity & Representation, you will research aspects of identity and authorship by conceptualizing and visualising an alter-ego. The core of the term is to investigate criteria and freedom within the field - you will experiment with working for a client and initiating your own project.
The second year of the Major consists of three terms:
- During Major 2.1, Impact, you will explore the boundaries of the field of illustration through research and experiment. The focus lies on creating impact both as an individual as well as in a collective. You will be working individually on an illustrative performance or presentation (the box assignment) and together with a colleague illustrator on creating a visual dialogue about a taboo.
- Term 2.2. Future focuses on future opportunities for illustrators as seen from from different perspectives. Part of the project is the visualising future scenarios for the practice of illustration.
- Practices 2.3.
Term 4, Practices, provides you with an in-depth introduction to two of the three graduation profiles (Practices). This learning experience will help you decide upon your graduation profile in the third and fourth academic years.
On top of the major, WdKA adds elective projects. You can choose from a wide range of contemporary subjects and issues. These projects introduce students to our three graduation profiles or Practices. We call them the Autonomous, Social and Commercial Practices. Within the Practices, you focus on new challenges in the fields of technology, the use of public space, the need to engage the public and a challenging international context, and work on real-life, practical assignments which transcend the boundaries of the chosen professional discipline.
Click on the chart on the left to view the Practices and their elective projects.
Autonomous Practices focus on the artistic and expressive possibilities of the (individual) artist, teacher or designer; who work from the perspective of their personal vision of the world and the human condition, and give shape to this vision. Within Autonomous Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Commercial Practices are oriented towards our “next” economy. Our world is changing rapidly fused for example by technological disruptive innovations. This changing world creates new opportunities and roles for prospective designers and artists. Within Commercial Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Social Practices focus on art and design that impacts societal issues by designing or redesigning processes, interactions and relationships, and by involving participants or stakeholders in the design process. The issues currently addressed by Social Practices are Cultural Diversity, Open Design,Powerplay and New Earth; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
- Major 3.1 Showtime! is about showing what kind of illustrator you want to be. In this phase of your studies, you will be working on complex assignments, often with real-world clients. You will be preparing for your internship by introducing yourself into the professional field. You will be making a conversation piece, an imperfect work and conclude by making your “master piece” as a general repetition for your graduation. During Major 3.1 you will simultaneously be studying in one of the Practices.
- In Major 3.2 You will do your internship or exchange.
On top of the major, WdKA adds elective projects. You can choose from a wide range of contemporary subjects and issues. These projects introduce students to our three graduation profiles or Practices. We call them the Autonomous, Social and Commercial Practices. Within the Practices, you focus on new challenges in the fields of technology, the use of public space, the need to engage the public and a challenging international context, and work on real-life, practical assignments which transcend the boundaries of the chosen professional discipline.
Click on the chart on the left to view the Practices and their elective projects.
Autonomous Practices focus on the artistic and expressive possibilities of the (individual) artist, teacher or designer; who work from the perspective of their personal vision of the world and the human condition, and give shape to this vision. Within Autonomous Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Commercial Practices are oriented towards our “next” economy. Our world is changing rapidly fused for example by technological disruptive innovations. This changing world creates new opportunities and roles for prospective designers and artists. Within Commercial Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Social Practices focus on art and design that impacts societal issues by designing or redesigning processes, interactions and relationships, and by involving participants or stakeholders in the design process. The issues currently addressed by Social Practices are Cultural Diversity, Open Design, Powerplay and New Earth; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
The Internship period is a temporary placement in which you, as a future professional, will become acquainted with the professional practice, including the scope and range of work activities and various practical aspects of the profession. The goal is to combine the learning process and the professional practice in a way which is not competitive with the professional field. It is also possible to do the internship (or part of the internship) abroad.
Exchange. By studying abroad, you have the opportunity to study in a foreign country and take in the allure and culture of a new environment. WdKA offers you this opportunity as an integral part of your study. During your study exchange you gain credits that can be transferred against your degree at WdKA.
Minor allows you to broaden or deepen their knowledge and skills. You complete it within one semester. Minor includes practical research, visualisation and presentation. You can one of the current issues within the Practices - Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private; New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design or Cultural Diversity, Open Design, Powerplay and New Earth - or follow a minor at another institute or abroad.
In the final phase of the studies, you will graduate in the Major and with the Practice profile that best suits you as a professional illustrator.
Autonomous Practices focus on the artistic and expressive possibilities of the (individual) artist, teacher or designer; who work from the perspective of their personal vision of the world and the human condition, and give shape to this vision. Within Autonomous Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: Critical Studies, Digital Craft, Hacking, and Public & Private. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Commercial Practices are oriented towards our “next” economy. Our world is changing rapidly fused for example by technological disruptive innovations. This changing world creates new opportunities and roles for prospective designers and artists. Within Commercial Practices, students can specialise in one of four issues: New Frontiers, Branding, Data Design, and Service Design. Each issue has its own specific courses, tutors with relevant professional backgrounds, and external partners with whom students can collaborate.
Social Practices focus on art and design that impacts societal issues by designing or redesigning processes, interactions and relationships, and by involving participants or stakeholders in the design process. The issues currently addressed by Social Practices are Cultural Diversity, Open Design,Powerplay and New Earth; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
Illustration
Profession and Concept
The first year focuses on the introduction to skills, knowledge and attitudes that we regard as essential to the practice of illustration - at the same time, we investigate the boundaries of the discipline. You will learn to think conceptually, explore, experiment and make use of various tools and media.
Profession and Concept
As you progress through the study programme, the projects will keep on increasing in complexity. You will be exploring more advanced instruments and tools, further developing within the direction of your choosing. You will also be working within the Practices more intensely.
Profession and Concept
The third year is divided between your Major, internship/exchange and graduation profiles (Practices). Upon completing, you will be able to choose the graduation profile that best suits your ambition.
Profession and Concept
The fourth year consists of two blocks: Minor and Graduation.