The first year of the Major consists of three terms:

  • Term 1, Common Ground & Navigation, will focus on producer/user relationship – within the immediate environment – resulting in first designing of a simple product, later moving on to a family of products (line).
  • Term 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 with the three graduation profiles. 
  • Term 3, Linking & Broadening, focuses on connection between producer and business.

The second year of the Major consists of two terms:

  • Term 1, Focus & Timing, delves deeper into the subject of producer/industry relationship and (re-)producing a series of products; and introduces you to crafts and craftsmanship, including those of other cultures.
  • Term 2, Design for the Masses, focuses on the market: producer & mass production and international market.

Term 3, 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.

More (in-depth) information about the Autonomous Practices

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Commercial Practices

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Social Practices

This phase focuses on Design for the Brand & Autonomy, you will initiate a collaboration with a business/brand and later return back to yourself: applying what you have learned for deepening and self-reflection and defining what do you wish to add to the world.
Besides working on a professional level for a company, you will present the outcomes in a group presentation for public. The exhibition design and visual design are part of this phase.

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Autonomous Practices

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Commercial Practices

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Social Practices

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 the students 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 and artist.

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Autonomous Practices

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Commercial Practices

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.

More (in-depth) information about the Social Practices

Choose another program

Product Design

Profession and Concept

The first year starts with orientation in the field and with developing making skills. The relation between product and user has the focus of attention. Later on you will navigate and research the relation between a context and a product in a broader way, using storytelling with a family of products. The last term will be about the connection between producer and business.

Profession and Concept

During this year you will focus on how products are made. Production processes and craftsmanship will play a big role, just as reproducing and developing small series of products. Where crafts and craftsmanship are important in the first half of the year, in the last term you will design for the masses. With a focus on the (international) market.

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.

+ Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
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Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
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Major +
Major +
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Practices +
Practices +
Internship +
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