Product Design – Bachelor of Arts
With its Bachelor's programmes, the Department of Design at the Folkwang University of the Arts offers a unique and versatile opportunity to combine design, art, and research.
The focus of the three-year BA Product Design programme is on the development of creative and practical as well as theoretical and reflective product design skills. Practical work in the university's workshops plays a particularly important role – students work in the wood, metal, and ceramics workshops, the textile laboratory, the Advanced Technology Lab and the Bio Lab. Research and theoretical work accompany and contextualise the practical design work.
Students first complete a foundation year in which they learn the basic skills of product design. From the third semester onwards, students can choose their own specialisations – the courses offer an insight into various topics and design approaches, such as social design, experimental design, biodesign, discursive design, circular design, industrial design, and designing with digital media. It is also possible to join specific seminars in the Communication Design and Photography degree programmes.
Through the "Space for Sustainability by Design" (SBYD), which was established in the design department in 2023, one of the focal points of teaching and research are sustainable, resource-light and circular design practices. The university was awarded the title of "Innovative University" for the "Space for Sustainability by Design" by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Joint Science Conference, who also generously fund its activities. (Website: https://sbyd.space/ / Instagram: @sbyd.space)
The three-year Bachelor's programme culminates in the final project and thesis as proof of a professional qualification. The diverse elective combinations of the three-year Bachelor's degree and the other design programmes within the department are unique in Germany in this organisational form and enable students to study in a well-founded and flexible manner with international compatibility. During their studies, students have the opportunity to apply to spend a semester abroad at one of the 63 international partner universities of the Department of Design.
Applications can be submitted annually by 15. March for the winter semester (course start date in October). At the time of application, a German language certificate is not required. But it will be required to submit a German language certificate (Level B2) before you start the course. After being offered a place on the course, students may postpone their entry to give them enough time to complete the German language requirements.
More information:
Website of the MA Design Futures and BA Product Design: https://id.folkwang-uni.de/ Instagram: @folkwang_id