Nowadays, graphic designers feel at home in many types of media and work in different groups. They design not only brochures, magazines and books, but also video productions, TV programmes, exhibitions and interactive programmes. In addition to (more or less) complete projects, such as designing a book, a magazine or a company logo, the designer is involved in increasingly more complex assignments that need an integrated approach to communication solutions as well as continual adjustments and updates.

There is clearly a demand for intelligent solutions and flexible systems. More and more often, the designer is involved in a project right from the beginning and even partly formulates the project; he or she is sometimes even involved as an editor or publisher. The younger generation is particularly active in exploring the boundaries of the profession in all possible ways: the boundaries with designing for interactive media, boundaries with visual arts and with editors and publishers – the last two made possible by the newest technology. 

Graphic designers translate information into an effectively visual form. This is often complex information that has to be presented clearly. This requires not only graphic design skills but also insight into strategies, public groups and the role of the designer. Designers have to work with a number of parties: clients, text writers, photographers and printers. And because they often have to work with a deadline, graphic designers also need good communication and organizational skills. In the more complex projects, a great amount of time is devoted to interpreting and analyzing the job: whom is it meant for? What media are most suitable? Complex projects require a study of both content and form.

Description of the programme

The Graphic Design programme at the KABK  has built up a international reputation in type design ad typography, in  2001 this led to its advanced programme Type and Media that was acknowledged by the Ministry of Education. This programme is now a Master degree programme.  

In the past few years, we have been trying to expand the programme, something necessitated by developments in the field, without abandoning the emphasis on type design and typography. Expanding means a more visual and theoretical focus and subject matter that is more socially oriented. At the same time, we are trying to add depth to the programme with, for example, excursions that are organized as well-planned trips with a focus on study. And design is increasingly being done for digital worlds such as web design and designing for CD-ROMs, video and interactive as well as multimedia fields.

Final qualifications Graphic Design

The graduate meets the following final qualifications:

• The student can develop an innovative concept and develop this into a unique and significant image, product, means of communication or spatial design and can innovatively place this in a context. 
• The student can observe, analyse, interpret and judge his or her own work and the work of others and is able to analyse the results of this for the benefit of his or her own work.
• The student can further develop and deepen his or her own views and capacities as well as his or her work and method of working in a way that suits his or her character and is related to his or her discipline.
• The student can set up and maintain an inspiring and functional working situation.
• The student can give a substantial and inspirational presentation and explanation of his or her work and can negotiate about his or her work with clients and other involved parties.
• The student has a view about the role and the position of his or her discipline in society and can relate his or her work and opinions to those of others and to developments in the cultural and social context.
• The student can direct cooperative efforts and give content and quality to them.

This implies that when you graduate you:

• have a broad general development, social involvement and an interest in social and cultural developments;
• have enough artistic, practical and theoretical information and talent and that you couple this knowledge to your capacity to express;
• have insight into public groups and target groups as well as into the significance of an image and that you are aware of the possible effects this could have;
• have a good knowledge of and connections with professional practice at the national and international levels;
• have a view about your own position in that practice and a knowledge of your own specific qualities and shortcomings;
• have an open attitude so that you can continue to develop and remain alert and involved in new developments in the field.

Diploma

Graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Design (BDes) and are then eligible to continue for a Master’s.

Further programmes of study

Graduates with a Bachelor of Design can continue for a Master’s in Design, a Master of Arts or can study further at an advanced programme at an art academy.