Design Fundamentals

project: Publication about the education in design fundamentals
collaborator: Anja Kaiser
client: Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle
typefaces: Burg Letters, Burg Grotesk, Minion
translation: Anna Helm
credits: Layout based on the Burg publications by Anna Berkenbusch

This publication informs about the Design Fundamentals course at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle. Comprehensive fundamental training has been part of Burg Giebichenstein’s traditions since the 1950s. As a distinguishing feature, it has not only been maintained as part of the bachelor studies programme but also further developed and sharpened. It is now understood as a means to build a repertoire, that is, a continually growing stock of creative experience. The fundamental courses form the basis of the first study year, but they also accompany the entire course of study as well as the master programmes with a choice of compact courses. Students study in interdisciplinary mixed groups and choose from six modules: Colour Light Space, Interactive Design, Material Form Object, Sculpture Nature Studies, Type and Typography, and Drawing. The focus is on refining perception, acquiring compositional skills, expanding one’s range of expressions, experimenting with form and effect, examining the creative potential of different materials, studying the interrelation among colour, light and space, and finally handling type and typography.