The first year of the Major consists of three terms:
- Term 1 will first focus on Identity and Value-visual Communication;
- Term 2 will focus on the on introducing to the content and methodology of WdKA's three graduation profiles (Practices). Students are introduced to the approach, context, professional roles and methodologies associated with the three graduation profiles. This introduction focuses on exploring the intrinsic motivation in the context of the themes and practical examples provided by the Practices. This way, students can begin developing their personal approach to design or their artistic position, while looking ahead to the related study choices in later phases of the study programme;
- Term 3, Food, will focus on relation between food and health and its influence on lifestyles in present and future.
The second year of the Major consists of two terms:
- Term 1 will focus on two topics: Politics and Actuality. Relation of identity and image, the power of image. Politics as case study. The future development of cities, and the impact of these developments on the lifestyles of citizen.
- Term 2, Trans-humanism and Singularity, future influences of technology and body related to human behaviour and needs.
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.
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, Gamification and Sustainability; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
In this phase you will focus on your role as a Lifestyle Transformation Designer in the professional field and learn to position yourself. Next to presenting yourself by means of portfolio, pitch, teaser and event you gain knowledge of entrepreneurship. The last project ‘Retail Related to Social Context’ takes place in public space, outside the academy, a real-world experience. Your role as a designer is further defined.
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, Gamification and Sustainability; 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, Gamification and Sustainability - 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 lifestyle transformation designer.
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, Gamification and Sustainability; four domains in which systemic change is particularly relevant.
Transformation Design
Profession and Concept
Exploring In this first year of your academic career, you will dive into the overarching theme of Transforming Humans. In the projects you conduct research into human identity in the online and offline world about real and fake, the responsibility of humans in the ecosystem and the participation of humans in society from the perspective of empathy. Lecturers from the field guide you in the process of researching and answering the question asked in the project. The focus is on photography, audiovisual, product design, philosophy, research and interaction design. Your process is interactive and this is shown in the presentation of the work
Profession and Concept
Framing This year we encourage you to delve into the societal, more complex issues surrounding transformation of systems in the socio-political context, within the overarching theme of Transforming Politics. We investigate the role of politics in society, activism in public space and the vulnerability and ethical aspect of human related to technological developments. Within the projects we work together with professional partners. Your uniqueness as a transformative designer becomes more visible. Furthermore, the focus is on photography, audiovisual, product design, future thinking, social psychology, interaction design, performance and we elaborate on the methods learned in the first year.
Profession and Concept
Defining In the third year of the major Transformation Design we work on a project within the theme Transforming Economy. In this project you focus on your communication skills as a transformative designer, seen from a professional attitude. You learn to set up an initiative in a professional way to encourage the transformation within the socio-ecological and socio-economical context based self-chosen topic and to collaborate with a self-selected expert and stakeholders within the public domain. Within the project value creation and strategy play a crucial role.
Profession and Concept
Presenting The fourth year you present yourself as a transformative designer within the practices. In the minor you work together with students from other disciplines and you get a complete picture of your role as a designer. You conduct research into this role during the graduation period within the chosen issue and visualize this in the presentation of your graduation project.