MDes Basel - Vertical Teaser

Introducing our MDes Basel program, the International Master of Design in Graphic Design. The four-semester program is a collaboration between the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW (HGK Basel). Students are registered at both universities, while all courses take place in Basel and are held in English. Successful completion of this program leads to a dual-degree, one from each university. 

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Application Deadline: April 30th, 2025

mdesbasel.ch

@hgkbasel_idce

@uic.design

@mdesbasel

Specific for our MDes program is the connection between the tradition of Swiss Graphic Design and fast-developing digital technologies in visual communication. Balancing theory and practice, the first two semester’s consist of core classes (design practice, design theory, new media) and elective tools (photography, typography, graphic form, video, research). The third semester continues this trajectory, while a mini-thesis begins the investigation into a topic of choice which one dedicates themselves to in the fourth semester. Insight into today’s practice is realized through weekly visits of studios, agencies, archives and exhibitions in Switzerland and beyond. In addition, MDes Basel students visit the Chicago program at least once during their studies and organize a study trip within Europe on the alternate year.

Alumni of the International Master of Design in Graphic Design have established independent studios at the forefront of design practices; been recruited to teach and research at design schools and universities worldwide; taken part in exhibition programs in Dubai, Eindhoven, Mexico City, New York, and Seoul; as well as assumed diverse leadership roles in the international field of design. 

We look forward to continuing this tradition and invite your application for the fall of 2025.

Video

Mahdi Hosseingholi: @mahdihosseingholi

Mojtaba Zarghampour: @moji.zargham