Subject Area Industrial Design

[Translate to English:] Diplomausstellung 2016

Industrial designers today work in an environment that is interdisciplinary, complex and fast-moving. Markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating multilayered global user groups (and niches) with requirements that previously simply did not exist. New technologies are generating unexplored opportunities and challenges, constantly broadening the scope of product engineering and production. Solution strategies are now increasingly defined by the scarcity of resources, introducing the environment as an element in the economic equation. As the creators of industrial products and services of the future, industrial designers therefore have great social responsibility, ranging well beyond issues of style or personal preferences. Teaching and research in the subject area of industrial design is therefore based on the three core principles of social relevance, technology and the environment.

  • Teaching and learning

    The Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design programme aims to train designers who reflect critically on their practice. Constant networking and the analysis of cause-effect relationships are key concepts in this context. Examining the merits of hi-tech versus low-tech solutions, critical reflection on social aspects and the investigation of the environmental impacts of everyday products are important training goals.

    The Master of Arts in Product Design programme aims to educate design leaders who will innovate new product typologies and new cultures surrounding products that de-couple use of materials resources from human wellbeing and economic development. These design leaders will work in the wider economy as well as the creative economy to help society transition to a sustainable existence.

    For students specializing in research, funding support may be available from relevant projects in the subject area. This enables students to benefit directly from the research section of the subject area.

    This timeline shows the structure of the curriculum in the industrial design subject area:

  • Research

    Institute for Design Research (IDE)

    The research conducted in the Industrial Design subject area forms part of the research of the Department of Design, which is bundled in the Institute for Design Research (IDE). The IDE is an integrative structure, which coordinates and proactively supports the research projects of the various subject areas within the Department of Design. As the central point of contact for research projects in the Department of Design, the IDE forms the bridge between the researchers in the Department and external research partners.

    Research and Development laboratories

    Key roles within the research structure are played by the two labs attached to the industrial design subject area: The Industrial Design Lab (ID LAB), for testing and carrying out practical research on 3D printing technologies, and the Design and Technology Lab, operated in partnership with the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich.

  • Advanced Studies

    The industrial design subject area regularly offers advanced studies courses in digital production, through the ZHdK-wide Summer & Winter School. A range of internal and external courses has also already been held in connection with the Industrial Design Lab. As part of the Department of Design, every year the Industrial Design subject area participates in organizing the ZHdK Art and Design Summer Workshop, for young people aged between 12 and 16. There is also a PreCollege for 14- to 18-year-olds held on five Saturdays, providing valuable insight into design practice today.

  • Lab

    Two labs are attached to the the industrial design subject area:

    The Industrial Design Lab (ID-Lab) conducts practical research into the trends and possibilities in the area of digital production. The knowledge gained in this way is passed on in tuition modules, workshops and lectures, and is also published online. A third industrial revolution is now in underway (characterized by concepts such as mass customization, on-demand production and the sharing economy), accompanied by a faster pace of activity at every level of the economy. This is creating the need for designers who can quickly pick up new technologies and processes, and learn to apply their new knowledge flexibly. Part of the task of the Industrial Design Lab is to enable the provision of training for this new type of designer. The ID-Lab is closely integrated with the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts specialization in Industrial Design, but is also used by other specializations. There are also partnerships in place with companies and universities, in Switzerland and abroad.

    The Design and Technology Lab features a unique interdisciplinary package of teaching and research. It is operated jointly with the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering of ETH Zurich. By involving external partners, students are able to tackle real design problems, generating direct benefits within industry and society. The resulting intensive exchanges between teaching and research, exchange of specialist subject knowledge, and shared public relations activities in the form of lectures, exhibitions, etc. help to generate an increased awareness of design and technology within academia, industry and wider society. The Design and Technology Lab is located in Technopark Zurich.

  • Services

    As a subject area in a university of applied sciences, industrial design places a high priority on its role as a service provider. We see ourselves as an innovation generator.
    We are professional partners for both industry and the R&D units of other universities for design and services projects, with the ability to make a real contribution to product engineering processes with our original and productive ideas.
    We place special emphasis on translating developments in materials and new technologies into tangible processes and products. In this context, our subject area is able to draw on many years of experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering subject areas and other disciplines.

  • Leadership team

    Sandra Kaufmann
    Product Designer HfG qualification, Joint Head of Bachelor’s degree programme specialization. Joint founder of the Design and Technology Lab, the Industrial Design Lab, and founder of several startup labels. Tuition focus on engineering projects with practice partners.

    Nicole Kind
    Product Designer HfG qualification, Joint Head of Bachelor’s degree programme specialization. Joint founder of the Design and Technology Lab, Industrial Design Lab and many years’ experience in leading positions in Switzerland and abroad. Tuition focus on teaching core elements of the course.

Degree programmes in Design