Merz Akademie

University of Applied Art, Design and Media, Stuttgart nationally accredited UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

Merz Challenging projects are supported by an Akademie international team of professors, outstanding facilities and individu­‑ alized support.

The Merz Akademie, a private, nationally accred‑ ited University of Applied Art, Design and Media was founded in 1918. It is conveniently located in southwest Germany, in the heart of Europe.

At the core of all activities are the aesthetic, techni- staff and students are able to publish the results cal and cultural issues that arise from the intensive of their work. International guest ­professors are encounter and innovative interaction of design, art and integrated into our study program each semester to media. Student life on campus creates a ­vibrant at- teach and conduct creative seminars and projects. mosphere that is driven by the studies, creative work Exchange students can live on campus in communal and social life. Public events such as ­exhibitions, student apartments. Stuttgart is a student city that conferences, lecture series, symposia and design caters to a young,­ creative, design-orientated ­popu­­- markets are held regularly every semester. Research lation with an abundance of cultural and exciting activities and publications are closely ­related: both ­venues – museums, galleries, bars and clubs. STUDY GOALS STUDY GOALS

Design Design, Art creates and Media change.

To use theory as a tool Students learn the skills to create relevant and to apply technology con­­tent in the fields of Crossmedia Publishing, as a scientific thesis. Film and Video, New Media or Visual Communi­ cation. They are able to design and transmit their own ideas and inclinations.

The university sees itself as an experimental think- in the form of a fully realized work of design or art. tank that allows its students to integrate their The ability to critically reflect upon one’s own practice cultural, social and theoretical interests with their in relation to relevant aesthetic, cultural and academic design study. In addition to the necessary tech­- contexts and to represent one’s artistic position in nical and aesthetic skills, students engage with the thought-provoking ways complements the acquired current critical discourse and theory relevant to knowledge of the graduates. Exchange students their chosen field of study. The goal is to be able to follow an individual study plan best suited for their implement the solution of a self-defined problem interests and needs. STUDY PROGRAM STUDY PROGRAM

The goal of the Bachelor of Arts Bachelor program is to develop competence of Arts in design, art and media.

The Bachelor of Arts program “Design, Art and Media” ­

After an in-depth introduction to the subjects rigorous interest in media culture and cultural After the first semester and methods of Crossmedia Publishing, Film and theory is one of the most ­important features of the the students select Video, New Media and Visual Communication studies at the Merz Akademie. Collaboration one of the four fields of the students select one of the four fields of study beyond the boundaries of the individual study areas study: as their major. The core study program includes is made possible through elective and international Crossmedia Publishing, innovative and ­creative projects accompanied by workshops as well as interdisciplinary projects. Film and Video, subject-specific and general theory colloquia. Students combine art with theory and technology New Media and Visual Seminars and workshops supplement the program. in novel ways and learn to transfer their knowledge Communication. The combination of design curriculum with a into innovative projects. FIELD OF STUDY FIELD OF STUDY

Crossmedia Publishing

Research and publish in all media formats.

Today’s media creators and publishers must have the competence to succeed in an ever-changing mediascape comprised of text, data, audiovisual and interactive web formats. Crossmedia Pub‑ lishing provides students with a strong practical and theoretical background to utilize all relevant media and technologies.

From researching and authoring a story using the networking and public engagement; writing and tools of photography, film, audio and visual design, reporting;­­ research and data journalism; and developing to exploring innovative technologies such as virtual innovative media content for apps and digital platforms. reality and live streams, students of Crossmedia Publishing draw from the established pathways Film Crossmedia Publishing empowers students to and Video, New Media and Visual Communication ­contend with some of the major issues of contem­ to directly engage with the contemporary media land- porary media: engaging with evolving audience scape. behaviors using text and audiovisual media; platform In addition to learning from the established pathways, migration from print and desktops to smartphones students also pursue specific Crossmedia Publishing and future technologies; and the reorganization and areas of knowledge and practice, including: audio‑ disruption of established industries and professions. visual publishing (podcasting, streaming video and Students develop not only technical but theoretical livecasting); social media management; community and ethical frameworks for their Crossmedia practices. FIELD OF STUDY FIELD OF STUDY

Film and Video

Workshop courses The goal of Film and Video is to qualify students and exercises in artistic or creative competence in the area of provide practical time-based media, in particular film and video. training using digital video technology.

The focus of the study is the analysis and aquisition of Workshop courses and exercises give the students Nature Morte the creative and technical process of film as well as practical knowledge in dealing with digital video tech- (Sophia M. Koegl) the electronic and computer-based audiovisual media nology, as well as experience in production planning Art film. of moving images. This is based on a comprehensive­ and development. The practical training provides insight examination of the history and theory of time-based into professional working spheres of time-based media, as well as history and cultural theory. In their media. Lectures, courses and excursions deepen the projects, students can assess and test documentary, knowledge about conception, financing and realiza- fictional, or experimental forms and their combination tion of films in television and cinema as well as in an (essays, documentary-fiction). art context. FIELD OF STUDY FIELD OF STUDY

Due to the close alliance between teaching and New research, students can participate in national and Media international interface design research projects.

Partly Cloudy (Max Wohlleber) New Media students do not simply create digital Do clouds on Apple surfaces. They draft tools of communication and maps block the view? conceive the qualities and usages of innovative An app provides per- technologies that are increasingly penetrating spective. our lives today. Students draft tools of communication. New Media understands digital tools as cultural for mobile devices, as well as physical computing. products, which can be called into question and Project work is centered around actual network and changed according to one’s need. Alongside seminars interaction concepts, based on current research in web design and application development, there and reflecting visions as well as ideals of design and are also courses in computational design, immersive networking pioneers. Open source ethics and do-it- ­environments, spatial interaction, interfaces and apps yourself principles also play an important role. FIELD OF STUDY FIELD OF STUDY

Visual Communication

Typography, illustration and photography are the three fundamental To define questions, analyze complex issues and visual languages. translate them into visual communication with the help of artistic and creative means – that is the object in this area of study.

Visual Communication does not mean to enhance a photography are the three fundamental visual languages.­ At the core of visual given work by way of embellishing images. Instead, These are supplemented by spatial presentations communication it is about providing an independent and self-reflected of information (display and exhibition design), online and is conceptual design. communication content through visual education and offline design, for instance in screen design or media competence. At its center is the cultural, in the area of moving images media (animation, title social, economic, technological, political conception design). In addition, design history and theory are in combination with the formation of communication im­portant foundations that provide students with a that captures the eye. Typography, illustration and great awareness for design decisions. STUDY PROGRAM STUDY PROGRAM

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts program

“Artistic Research in Design, Art In interdisciplinary teams students acquire and Media”. and develop knowledge of various media The master’s degree goes far beyond classic study areas in order to encourage self-confidence formats. subject boundaries and comes into play at the junc­­­ both in their thinking and their own individual tion between applied art, human sciences, creative practice. At the same time, the personal digital humanities­ and artistic research. The program development of students is encouraged as they The goal of the accred‑ focuses on how aesthetic strategies develop learn to develop, determine, and represent the original ited Master of Arts knowledge, thus addressing the increasing impor­­­­ potential of their self-confident thinking and their program is to develop tance of knowledge building in contemporary individual artistic-creative practice. an individual artistic- society. Particular emphasis is put on calling into creative practice. question the seemingly obvious current state The goal of the Master of Arts program, aimed at of knowledge. graduates with degrees in art or design, as well as Students are challenged to engage in their own scholars in the humanitites, is to consolidate and ­artistic research projects within the four shape an independent artistic position. EQUIPMENT APPLICATION

Equipment Application as and Facilities exchange student

Modern and well-equipped labs support the Application Process Application Deadline work in Crossmedia Publishing, Film and Video, New Media and Visual Communication Students who would like to apply to the Merz Students from overseas: Akademie must submit a portfolio of work 15th April for the winter semester green box, audio recording studio, stop motion samples and the following documents to the and following summer semester studio, digital video editing and post production, International Office in PDF format: color grading suite, rental equipment Students from EU-countries: - CV and letter of motivation 15th April for the winter semester virtual reality lab, physical computing lab, - Certificate of matriculation 15th October for the summer semester ­interaction lab, interactive 3D-power wall, 3D- - Transcript of record printer - Letter of recommendation International Office: - Proof of language proficiency in German or Birgit Haasen digital print lab, photo studio and lab, calibrated English (B2) [email protected] image editing places, silkscreen workshop, book Tel +49 (0)711-26866-47 bindery, training and computer rooms Website www.merz-akademie.de www.merz-akademie.de

Merz Akademie Teckstrasse 58 University of Applied Art, 70190 Stuttgart, Germany Design and Media, Stuttgart +49(0)711-26866-0 nationally accredited [email protected]