Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) offers a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design and a Master of Arts in Design with an Industrial Design major. The bachelor curriculum combines foundational skills, materials and technology, theory and history, and practical design assignments. It examines technological innovation, ecological sustainability, and social relevance, and addresses the cultural, social, technical, economic, and environmental conditions of industrial production. Activities include sketching, prototyping, discussions, excursions, expert encounters, and interdisciplinary project work.
The Master of Arts in Design with an Industrial Design major is a full-time, two-year programme structured across four semesters. It develops research, reflection, design communication, and collaborative and individual project work, then culminates in an independent design project, written thesis, and exhibition. A quarter of the course time is devoted to an interdisciplinary minor covering research methods, design theory and methodology, digital research, presentation, and entrepreneurship.
