Content and structure

Course content.

Production design
A variety of practical and methodological skills are required to work successfully within the field of production design for fiction films and other audio-visual productions. The programme is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the following areas: drawing and design, introduction to and use of ZHdK’s wood and metal workshops, constructing models as well as studio sets in both analogue and digital formats. Moreover, you will collaborate with other film students, take on camera work, film editing and sound design. At the core of this artistic exploration is space itself, including all its possible forms and aspects. Space in film is always a relevant part of storytelling and has an impact on the visual storyline. 

Students benefit from the university’s excellent infrastructure, professional networks and cinema.

Bachelor Film, Production Design
Bachelor Film, Production Design

Course structure.

The practice-based degree programme divides the process into multiple steps with topic and content-related core subjects. Throughout the practice, you delve into cinematic techniques and work on your own artistic ideas. 
 

Semester 1 
Spatial laboratory 1 – Real space/exterior: introduction to methodological, creative and technological aspects. This includes drawing, photography and individual filming exercises.

Semester 2 
Spatial laboratory 2 – Staged space/interior: students explore topics such as spatial design, computer-aided design (CAD) and workflow management, attend workshop courses and work on their first short film project.

Semester 3 
Spatial laboratory 3 – Building a scale model: based on an existing script, you design and construct a scale model.

Semester 4 
Spatial laboratory 4 – Semester 4 focuses on the integration of landscapes and nature in film. This also includes production design for film exercises.

Semester 5
Spatial laboratory 5 – World building: students consolidate their knowledge in the areas of research, location and set construction, and the use of digital technology to expand cinematic spaces.

Semester 6
Thesis and graduation project

Bachelor Film, Production Design

Skills acquired in the course.

Theory
Together with other Bachelor students, you acquire the basics of film analysis and film history. Technical aspects of theory such as spatial theory, the correlation between space and characters and between space and camera, the concept of location, narrative theories, technology and design are embedded in various methodological and practical modules in this course. 

Spatial laboratory
The ‘spatial laboratory’ is a core module that runs throughout the whole degree programme in which students engage with the phenomenon of space. It provides an understanding of spatial concepts such as interior space, exterior space, staged space, built space, virtual space and world building, giving you the opportunity to clarify, discuss and practice these concepts.

Craft
The fundamental methods and skills of production design are both diverse and demanding. By applying and practising these methods and technical processes, you learn to use tools in a targeted manner for design and implementation phases. Moreover, you develop your teamwork and improvisation skills.

Practice
You are able to understand the requirements of a film project, the demands and concepts of directing, cinematography and image composition, incorporate your own ideas and put them into practice.

Entry requirements.

You are good at drawing and using your hands. You are fascinated by complex work structures as well as complex technical and infrastructural conditions.
Furthermore, you have the following skill set: 

  • Passionate about film, architecture, design and art 
  • Able to think visually and recognize the role of images
  • An enthusiastic storyteller
  • Open to exploring social and cultural issues
  • Intuitive and full of ideas, with a good imagination
  • Able and willing to think and act independently 

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

Studying at ZHdK offers you a wealth of opportunities.

  • The wide range of courses enables students to gain in-depth knowledge of production design. 
  • The structure of the degree programme gives students the opportunity to spend part of their studies in a group setup, which helps them to learn and grow as a team.
  • At Zurich University of the Arts, we offer a variety of courses in different artistic disciplines. This allows students to take modules in subjects that extend far beyond the discipline of film.
  • Many of our lecturers play an active role in the production design industry. Moreover, renowned international figures from the world of film are regularly invited for guest lectures, which gives students the opportunity to expand their network during their studies.
  • The subject area of film also frequently provides important input for artistic research. One example is our Immersive Arts Space, which was created to conduct research on future technologies in the audio-visual sector. There are plenty of projects for students who are interested in getting involved. Moreover, the knowledge gained throughout the research directly transferers into their studies – for example, while working with pre-visualization processes, computer-generated imagery (CGI) and new forms of virtual spatial design. 
  • Gathered on one campus, ZHdK’s faculties are located in close proximity to one another and offer an extensive infrastructure of the highest calibre. Students have access to workshops with cutting-edge equipment, a museum, con­­cert halls, sound and film studios, rehearsal stages, studios, a library and exhibition rooms. A roof garden, cinema, music club, cafés and a canteen also offer opportunities for them to meet for study or recreational purposes.