University of Design Schwaebisch Gmuend

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The HfG considers design to be an innovative discipline with scientific, social, and technological aspects. Design exerts a responsible and permanent influence on cultural, technical, and economic developments. The University consciously avoids artistic or crafts aspects in its teaching of design foundations. On the contrary, all five courses emphasize scientific principles and knowledge and the rational justification of design decisions.
Intensive and interdisciplinary foundation studies are the hallmark of the HfG program. They determine the HfG's specific curricular model and are a significant reason for the high quality of the design courses in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The foundation courses establish a firm basis for creative competence in design activities and establish a reliable repertoire of methods, aesthetic experiences, and techniques. The foundation studies systematically examine the laws of surface and space, light and color, time, and movement.
The teaching program aims to encourage curiosity and thirst for knowledge, develop methodical thinking, transfer established professional content, and strengthen students' social and intercultural competences. The university atmosphere is characterized by an open and productive culture of discussion with internationally experienced tutors. The organizational and technical elements are coordinated and integrated to supports students' learning processes.
During the significant courses, students worked on projects and chose their emphases. All programs aim to examine useful individual case studies, develop far-reaching solution finding principles, and demonstrate their model character for future design tasks. Critical and methodical thinking, theoretical justification, and practical skills become inseparably combined.
A design to transfer knowledge and develop added value must cross boundaries between disciplines and cultures. The development of necessary qualifications such as self-management, team working skills, language, and intercultural competencies is also a natural part of the University's study courses.
The core topics of the Communication Design course include communication systems and publications, exhibitions, information campaigns, the visualization of scientific and technical content, direction and orientation systems, company and institutional identities, and teaching and learning materials.
The Interaction Design course deals with software interfaces, machine and device control, internet applications, information terminals, and applications for the latest media technologies.
The Product Design course is concerned with the design of technical consumer and investment goods, tools, furniture, exhibition stands, medical equipment, and accessories carried and used on the body and planning of transport, logistic, and mobility systems.
The HfG values application-oriented design research highly. All research activities are concentrated centrally in an Institute for Applied Research (IAF). This focuses on research and development questions related to the three significant areas of Interaction, Communication, and Product Design. Current research projects include the ergonomic design of medical equipment and systems and the interaction between humans and designed products and systems.
The excellent reputation of the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd explains its graduates' above average chances in the work market. The University provides promising opportunities for professional practice and opens paths to design research. The two MA courses offer both an involvement with highly complex design subjects and involve students in theoretical studies of design topics.
The University draws its dynamic and power from topical scientific, social, and economic developments and its long and continuous tradition. This tradition is influenced by the Bauhaus teaching methods and particularly of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm.
The innovative design aims to achieve economic, ecological, and social sustainability. The HfG is a continually learning dynamic organization dedicated to continually improving its teaching programs' high quality. It aims to ensure that students reach the highest level of professional qualification and play an active role in representing the interests of the users of design services. In the future, the HfG intends to pursue this aim by offering professional further education courses.
The University of Design Schwäbisch Gmünd believes in a modern education while respecting its long tradition. Its success is based on its ability to initiate continuous and well-considered change. The HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd draws its design force from this blending of continuity and the influences of scientific, societal, and economic developments.
The roots of the University go back to the year 1776, in which the first precursor institution, a school of drawing, was founded. The Bauhaus concepts and the former Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm now influence the educational ideas of the renowned course in the foundations of design at the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd.
The Institute for Applied Research (IAF) is the central scientific institution of the University of Applied Sciences Schwäbisch Gmünd, and it embraces all the HfG's research and development projects. The IAF is also the service organization for staff and clients.
Applied design research enjoys a high priority at the HfG. All research activities are centralized in an Institute for Applied Research. This focuses on research and development activities related to the University's three core areas of Interaction, Communication, and Product Design. Current research activities include the ergonomic design of medical products and systems, studies of the interaction between humans and designed products and systems, evaluations of the usability of products, analyses of development and working processes, and Internet applications development.

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