MA / Design

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Areas of specialisation

Our Master's degree programme focuses on the further development and implementation of your ideas. In our studies, we encourage and demand a reflective position on design and practical orientation. Social concerns are important to us - That's why you'll find ethics and psychology in our curriculum, as well as futurology and business start-ups. In this way, you will learn during your studies which diverse career paths you can pursue.

You will learn and deepen with us:

  • holistic thinking and design
  • Topic identification and profiling skills
  • Team strategies
  • project management and control
  • human and social science design perspectives
  • Process analysis and dealing with complexity
  • Linking design practice and science
  • Interdisciplinarity and artistic methods
  • personal development

Targets

Our goal is to train designers to become personalities who can take a reflected position in design and maintain it in their profession. We want to apprentice designers who are not driven by the tasks, but who critically question and formulate the tasks themselves. We want to educate our masters to be world-creating and proactive designers who create the world as it should be to the best of their ability.

Why us?

We offer a friendly and personal campus atmosphere, a diverse faculty of designers, artists, and cultural and humanities scholars, an excellent infrastructure for design work, a steadily growing network of cultural and business institutions, and doctoral degrees. A recent interview about the Degree programme can be found here.

The standard time to degree programme in designkrefeld is 3 semesters. The curriculum of our Master's degree programme is designed to provide you with the skills to successfully implement the Master's project, develop a reflective position in design and successfully apply it in design practice.

1st semester I Reflection

Through "constructive uncertainty" in the first semester, we support you in finding your own design perspective. The module "Human Sciences" brings you closer to how design can relate to social issues. In many discourses we deepen the "design development" and "-observation" and thus train the ability to reflect.
In the "individual advanced course" you can deepen the design specializations relevant to you - whether social design, typography or UX design.

Semester 2 I Professionalization

Our "Professionalization" offerings teach opportunities and techniques for becoming successful in practical design applications. In "Strategy and Future Research" you will learn to identify trends and initiate innovations.
In the third module, you will begin planning your master's thesis and learn to focus your strengths, divide the project into meaningful work steps, and communicate in an understandable way.

3rd semester I Master's thesis

The 3rd semester is almost entirely devoted to the master's thesis. Your thesis advisor will coach you through to a successful degree. In "Communication and Presentation" you will learn how to convincingly present the thesis in conclusion.

Modules

1st semester I Search & Find

  • Individual advanced course I Choice of specialisation from: Illustration, Editorial Design, Typography, UX Design, Printmaking, Porcelain Design, Ceramic Design, Glass Design, Experimental Object Design, Experimental Space Design, Social Design, Design Perspectives, Theory as Practice, CAD Practice, Rapid Prototyping.
  • Design Development
  • Humanities I Choice of specialisation from: Philosophy, Psychology, Ethics
  • Design thinking I topic identification and conceptualization, design consideration

2nd semester I Making

  • Professionalization I Design and project management, innovation techniques and business start-up, scientific work, master perspectives, business English
  • Strategy I Design strategy, marketing, futurology
  • Project I Design and concretization

3rd semester I Mediation and presentation

  • Master's thesis
  • Communication and Presentation
Bowl
Favorite Things

Many products today have a short lifespan and are quickly disposed of by the consumer. How can design help to increase the appreciation and thus the lifespan of a product? Starting from various theoretical positions, "Favorite Things" looks for ways to achieve a long-lasting attachment via an emotional relationship. This is practically demonstrated by the example of a customizable porcelain series.

More about Emilia Breit's MA project here.

Children
Quarter turn

Vierteldrehung was a temporary exhibition in public space that dealt with the history of Krefeld's Südstadt, its "main street" and its residents. The goal was to increase the residents' appreciation of the neighborhood. Over a period of five weeks, the installation was repeatedly changed for this purpose: It offered a historical retrospective about the neighborhood, an interactive site survey or the possibility to express the attachment to the neighborhood.

More about Judith Cleves and Jana Davids' MA project here.

Photo Alumni
Katrin Mevißen & Monika Izabela Jagla

"Through the small mixed groups, you learn new approaches away from your own routine. Excursions like the block seminar on finding topics give the opportunity to deepen the exchange."
Monika Izabela Jagla works as an art director at FEEDMEE Design in Cologne, as well as a freelance designer together with Katrin Mevißen.

"For me, especially the intensive exchange in subjects like design theory, ethics or psychology helped to consolidate my own point of view and to find a relevant master topic."
Katrin Mevißen is responsible for marketing, PR and art direction at Dr. Langen Liegenschaften in Mönchengladbach, as well as a freelance designer together with Monika Izabela Jagla.

Photo Alumni
Josua Waghubinger & Björn Witte

"The Master's helped me to develop an attitude, to go beyond limits and to grow from it. I was able to implement projects that I had started in the bachelor's. The master's brings you together with people who are up for getting to the bottom of things."
Joshua Waghubinger

"Subjects like futurology and marketing helped me identify trends and market ideas, just as philosophy and ethics encourage you to think about and discuss the impact of ideas."
Björn Witte

Josua Waghubinger and Björn Witte started their own business with their MA idea, founded Triclap and now develop online games.

Photo Alumni
Isabelle train

"By discussing, arguing and collaborating with fellow students from different faculties, I learned about design from a completely new angle, broadened my understanding of design and deepened expertise."

Isabelle Zug works as a color and trim designer at KIA Motors.

Photo Alumni
Lisa Natrup

"The master's program gave me the time I needed to try things out and build on my strengths, which is how I found my dream job."

Lisa Natrup works as an editorial designer at ZEIT Verlag.

The application portal will be live online until January 15, 2023.

Admission requirements

  • Bachelor's or diploma degree in design or a related discipline. With convincing application also other degrees.
  • Final grade of at least "good" (2.5).
  • In the case of a 6-semester Bachelor's degree, an additional 30 credits must be acquired; this can be done as part of the Master's program
  • Submission of a letter of motivation, portfolio and exposé on a master's thesis topic

Application

STEP 1 I Master's advising

Every fall you have the opportunity to come to one of our information evenings (currently only digital advising is available).

STEP 2 I Online application & application documents.

You will need to complete the application on our application portal.

Click here for the application

In addition, send the following documents as a PDF file to nicolas.beucker(at)hs-niederrhein.de:

  • Letter of motivation (max. two pages): Why are you pursuing a Master in Design and why in Krefeld?
  • Exposé (max. five pages): Outline your idea for a possible master's thesis.
  • Curriculum vitae with biographical data relevant to your career goal.

STEP 3 I Interview

After you have sent all documents to the university, we will invite you to an interview. You will then have the opportunity to personally convince us of your ideas, passion and skills.

To do this, bring us your portfolio. Show us what you can do and what experience you already have.

If you have any questions regarding the application procedure or Degree programme, please contact:
nicolas.beucker(at)hs-niederrhein.de

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Applicants who have obtained their degree in a non-EU country

  • obtained in a non-EU country can find the information and the link to the application here
  • who have acquired their degree in a non-EU country will find the information and the link to the application here
Prof. Nicolas Beucker
Dean of Studies Chair Study Advisory Board Public and Social Design
Consulting
Master Consultation Dates

The master consultations take place individually online.

To make an appointment, please contact Prof. Nicolas Beucker directly via mail: nicolas.beucker(at)hs-niederrhein.de.

 

Symposium
Master Symposium

Our Master Symposium brings together prospective students with alumni, current Master students and lecturers.

Here you can find out whether our Master's program is right for you. You will receive reports on your experiences, insights into career paths and a foretaste of the inspiring exchange on versatile master's topics.

This year's Mastersymposium will take place on November 04, 2022 in our Shedhalle. More information about the schedule will follow soon.

Here is a YouTube video. Click on it to watch. The data protection regulations of google apply!

Questions about the application

Q: Where can I get more information about the studies?
A: Counseling appointments are expected to be offered again starting in October 2020. We will inform you about them here starting in September. We are also happy to offer individual advising via ZOOM upon request. If you are interested in such a consultation, please contact Prof. Nicolas Beucker by mail(nicolas.beucker(at)hs-niederrhein.de).

Q: Do I already have to have completed my BA by the date of the interview?
A: An application can be submitted at any time. However, registration in the Degree programme can only be done with a completed BA or Diploma. Registration can continue into March after passing the qualifying exam. In the rare case that all examinations have been completed by the time of registration, but the certificate for the first university degree has not yet been issued, special arrangements can also be made if necessary.

Q: Can I start my MA in design with my degree from a foreign university?
A: In principle yes, for the exact procedures please refer here: application from EU foreign countries or application from non-EU foreign countries.

Q: What are the prerequisites for admission to the MA in Design programme?
A: Prerequisites are a Bachelor's or Diploma degree in Design or a related discipline. Final grade of at least "good" (2.5). With a convincing application, other degrees as well. In the case of a 6-semester Bachelor's degree, an additional 30 credits must be acquired; this can be done as part of the Master's program. Submission of a letter of motivation, portfolio and exposé on a Master's thesis topic.

Q: What documents are needed for the application?
A: For the application are needed: Letter of motivation (max. two pages) and exposé (max. five pages), as well as a CV with biographical data relevant to your career goal. Detailed information is available here.

Q: Do I have to have a bachelor's degree in design?
A: No, the application is decisive. If projects and ideas are convincing, the studies are also possible with a degree from other Degree programmes.

Q: How many ECTS do I need for the Master?
A: 210, but missing points can be made up during the master's program or proven by practical experience.

Q: When do the interviews for the aptitude test take place?
A: The interviews always take place at the end of January. You will receive the exact date in December.

Q: What is the interview process?
A: All applicants are invited to the university for an interview. There, an interview of about 30 minutes takes place with three lecturers, in which the portfolio and project idea are presented.

Questions about the studies

Q: When do the studies start?
A: The Master always starts in the summer semester.

Q: Do I have to implement the project as a master's thesis with which I am applying?
A: No, if you favor another idea during your studies, you can also implement it.

Q: How big are the courses approximately?
A: Our goal is to work in small groups. Most courses have between 5 and 15 people attending.

Q: What are the design specialisations?
A: The master's offers a wide range of specialization options: Illustration, Editorial Design, Typography, UX Design, Printmaking, Porcelain Design, Ceramic Design, Glass Design, Experimental Object Design, Experimental Space Design, Social Design, Design Perspectives, Theory as Practice, CAD Practice, Rapid Prototyping.

Q: How many days a week do I need to be in college?
A: This depends on individual course selection. Most students take courses 3 days a week.

Q: Can I study on a career-integrated basis?
A: The studies are not specifically career-integrated. Nevertheless, individual solutions can often be found.

Q: What housing costs should I expect in Krefeld?
A: Krefeld offers many affordable housing options. Rooms in shared flats can be found for less than 300€.

Q: What are the connections to the nearest major cities?
A: With the RE (included in the semester ticket) you can reach Düsseldorf in 25 min., Duisburg in 20 min. and Cologne in 45 min.

Portrait Prof. Nikolas Beucker
Prof. Nicolas Beucker

Nicolas Beucker is professor for Public & Social Design at the Hochschule Niederrhein and leads the Master's degree programme. He studied Industrial Design at the University of Essen and gained experience on human-centered design at the Institute for Ergonomics and Design Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where he worked for five years. The Hochschule Niederrhein is where he now teaches and researches public spaces and society-centered design methods. Out of an interest in interdisciplinary approaches, Nicolas Beucker built SOUND, the competence centre Social Urban Design at the Hochschule Niederrhein.

Prof. Nikolas Beucker
Dean of Studies
Chair Advisory Board
Public and Social Design

Room: N 122
Phone: +49 (0)2151 822-4335
nicolas.beucker(at)hs-niederrhein.de
Frankenring 20
47798 Krefeld
Consultation hours: By appointment via e-mail

Portrait photo Schmid
Prof. Dr. Erik Schmid

Dr. Erik Schmid is professor for "Theory of Design". He has been active in university lecturing since 1997, establishing the subject of media and design history/theory at the university of applied sciences in Mainz and taking on teaching assignments here as well as at the universities of Bayreuth and Weimar. As a curator at the Gutenberg Pavilion of the city of Mainz, he was in charge of the exhibitions "echt und falsch - Die Wahrheit im Medienzeitalter" (True and False - Truth in the Media Age) and "Zeit der Zeitungen. Times and News." Schmid published among other things over 300 articles in feuilletons of different newspapers and magazines and blogs under schmiddesign.

Prof. Dr. Erik Schmid
Chair Faculty Council
Theories on Design

Room: N 308
Phone: +49 (0)2151 822-4329
erik.schmid(at)hs-niederrhein.de
Frankenring 20
47798 Krefeld
Consultation hours: By appointment via e-mail