The Master’s Course combines architectural solutions with graphic design. It offers students the unique opportunity to deepen their competence in their own field of expertise and gain valuable insight in the other field at the same time. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of real projects and the intensive contact with the business world, in order to prepare students for their professional careers in the best possible way. As a result, the course trains interdisciplinary, out of the box thinking designers who can apply their expertise in a variety of areas.

The master’s degree course is open to graduates holding a bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture or graphic and information design. Applicants with a background in related disciplines such as landscape architecture and lighting design are also welcome.

THE CONNECTION

The connection of interior design and visual communication may not always be obvious, but it is omnipresent. Every exhibition requires a spatial concept (interior design) and an orientation system as well as wall lettering, accompanying publications and suitable advertising material (graphic and information design). These elements are increasingly supplemented by interactive or time-based media (film, video, recently also virtual reality): well planned and thought through visual communication is becoming increasingly important. Another example: imagine the flagship store of a famous technology company. Branding and Corporate Design are of pivotal importance and include the design of the interior; at the same time, psychological aspects such as visitor and consumer behaviour are vital when planning and designing such premises.

Exhibitions or Shopping – the borders are becoming increasingly blurred. The Master’s course at the NDU, however, always focuses on the complex interface between interior design and visual communication. Whether it is a bar or a train station, a shop or a school, on the smartphone or in urban space: you can apply your creative expertise in various fields. Nowadays even skiing regions and airports need a Corporate Identity, schools and kindergartens turn into brands – not to mention gastronomy and the hotel industry: many a successful hotel chain has become successful through the successful combination of interior design and visual communication.
 

The course

The core of the curriculum is the “Design Studio”, in which students work individually or in teams on design tasks. Each semester there is an overarching topic (e.g. exhibition design, working environments or shop design), to which the professors and guest lecturers contribute their expert knowledge and practical experience in the form of seminars and project meetings. Students with a focus on architecture design spatial solutions: they conceptualise and visualise premises, define materials, colours and lighting. Students with a focus on visual communication deal with the visual identity: they define the Corporate Design or develop the orientation system in the room. This takes place during a constant dialogue of both groups – interior design and visual communication are coordinated to create a holistic, integrated visual identity.

This means: the interior designers deal with information design, the graphic designers develops a feeling for spatial design – and both obtain additional, interdisciplinary knowledge, which can immediately be used in the field (and which doesn’t have to be obtained through years of experience).
 

Up-to-date interdisciplinary training

With its focus on concept-based, critical thinking and its systematic approach, the NDU degree course guarantees future-proof training and allows you to optimise your design and project practice both in the fields of interior design and information design. Co-operations with various companies and institutions give you the opportunity to acquire specialised, business-relevant knowledge. Last, but not least, the course will also enable you to develop and improve your presentation and organisational skills.
 

Profession and career opportunities

The course provides in-depth specialised knowledge in interior design and visual communication and promotes your capacity to work independently and as a team leader. Graduates are well equipped to take on key positions as innovative interior designers or interdisciplinary designers in international projects – in design or architectural firms, in the fields of art, culture and event organisation, in the public sector or in trade and tourism, but also as self-employed experts.