Communication - Graphic Design

We are happy that you have taken an interest in the minor Graphic Design!

Graphic design is the most pervasive art in our world today. It is spread throughout the branches of almost every entity in our lives. Take a look at the logo of your favorite jeans, the website you are browsing or the advertising signs you pass by while traveling. Graphic design is meant to beautify, to solve problems of communication, to create awareness, to inform, to inspire and to entertain. Simply put: graphic design touches everything we see and do. It is the art of visualizing ideas.

You will create stories and messages that are creative and thought provoking, but also well researched and well executed. The minor in graphic design provides the necessary skill set needed in visual communication and the tools to contribute and work with marketing campaigns and creative professionals. Interdisciplinary courses in communication and art will help you develop your ability to verbalize creative ideas on a variety of platforms.

The Graphic Design minor at Fontys School of Economics is a blend of communication studies and liberal arts education with a balanced focus on conceptual, creative and technical skills.​

Critical Thinking & Context - The ability to describe, analyze, problematize, position and criticize visual art and graphic design.

Concept & Creative Proces - The skill to translate abstract concepts and ideas visually and apply high technical standards in design, in print and on the web.

Creating Capacity - The skill to understand and apply high technical standards in design, photography and typography, in print and on the web.

Presentation & Persuasion - The skill to present your work in a convincing way to clients, professionals in the graphic design field and printers.

Professional Practice - The skill to communicate with clients, professionals in the graphic design field and printers.

The program consists of 30 credits (ECs), equivalent to 840 hours of study, divided into three units:

Commercial - You will be working (individually and in teams) on design projects for actual organizations. Acquisition, briefings, brainstorms, design, project management, pitching and billing are part of this unit. The money that is earned will be used for a study trip. All projects, including the creative and business processes, will be bundled in group file: the process book.

Conceptual - You will be working on a personal design project within the theme Design for Good. You will create your own story and choose your own visuals to tell that story. Your project will be showcased in an exhibition for academic and non-academic audiences. The creative process will be documented in a concept guide.

Graphic Journey – During this project you will design your own graphic journey. What are your graphic learning goals, how will you work on this and where do you hope to be at the end of the minor? You must work on a document in which you record your journey. At the end of the minor you have a conversation about your journey with the coaches.

Studytrip

If it’s possible due to the Corona situation you will have the opportunity to travel with us to a Graphic Design convention. For example: in 2018 and 2019 we visited OFFSET Dublin, one of the world’s most inspirational conferences for the design and creative industries. Speakers are key disruptors and influencers in their field driving everything from huge global campaigns to awe inspiring personal projects.

Erasmus exchange students

Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. This officer will send your application request (nomination) to Fontys. Once Fontys has accepted the application, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online. Added to the link you will receive all necessary information and a manual. Please take a look at this website to see how it works.

Students studying in the Netherlands:

Step 1. Apply via Progress (Fontys students) or Kiesopmaat (students of other bachelors).

Step 2. Send your application to minorfeht@fontys.nl.

In your application you indicate

• your preference for language. Do you want to follow the minor in Dutch/English/No preference? *

With your application we would like to receive a motivation (in any form and in English) in which the following questions will be answered:

• Who are you?
• Why are you applying for Graphic Design?
• What do you want to learn during the program?
• Could you rate your own design skills?

To participate in the minor, the student must have completed his propaedeutic year or have permission from the Examination Board of his own study program.

Deadline for applying:

Students studying in the Netherlands: November 1, 2022

Erasmus (exchange) students: October 30, 2022

Due to the limited number of places available a selection will be done after the application deadline. Students will be advised of their acceptance or refusal before November 18, 2022**.

* You can indicate a first preference in terms of language. If you are admitted, we will do our best to match you to your preference. If you need to follow the minor in English, because you’re not a (native) Dutch speaker, please write this down in your application, so we can make sure that we place you in the English class.

**Due to the limited number of places available for the minor Graphic Design, a selection will be made after the application deadline.