Study course

Design of Playing and Learning

Master's course in the Design Faculty

Play spaces, play objects, play activities … playing and learning takes place everywhere and in all life phases, and is influenced by societal and technological developments. Accordingly, the spectrum of topics and design requirements involved is very broad. The master’s course in Design of Playing and Learning includes the innovative shaping of play spaces and objects and the design of concepts and media, along with scenarios for playing and learning situations; the course is characterised by experimental and research-oriented work.

The design projects are activity- and user-oriented. The main focuses are on observation and research, the integration of user groups into project work, good process coordination, and innovative and activity-based design and implementation strategies. Students have the opportunity to experiment with interdisciplinary design processes within the university in cooperation with other courses and also with external partners.

Societal demands with regard to our willingness to engage in lifelong learning and explorative activity are increasing all the time. Against this background, master’s students concentrate and reflect on their role in the shaping, conception and communication of methods and opportunities for personal development for individuals and, in addition to this, in the exploration and use of the potential of play activity in societal processes.

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Students have the opportunity to try out interdisciplinary design processes both within the university through cooperation with other study courses and with external partners.
Society's demands on the willingness to engage in lifelong learning and explorative action are increasing. Against this background, the Master's students address and reflect their role in the design, development and communication of methods and offers for the personal development of the individual and also in the exploration and utilisation of playful potential for action in social processes.

Master’s students can select their semester projects from a range of options offered in the course. They work here with students from the final semesters in the bachelor’s programme on problems in the same areas; the master’s students, however, have tasks with a different focus. Master’s students may also suggest their own project topics in consultation with their professors.

Courses

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Aim of the course

Societal demands with regard to our willingness to engage in lifelong learning and explorative activity are increasing all the time. Against this background, master’s students concentrate and reflect on their role in the shaping, conception and communication of methods and opportunities for personal development for individuals and, in addition to this, in the exploration and use of the potential of play activity in societal processes.

Teaching content

The design projects are activity- and user-oriented. The main focuses are on observation and research, the integration of user groups into project work, good process coordination, and innovative and activity-based design and implementation strategies. Students have the opportunity to experiment with interdisciplinary design processes within the university in cooperation with other courses and also with external partners.

Standard duration of course

The two-semester master’s course can be taken after an eight-semester bachelor’s course has been completed. The focus here is on a comprehensive master’s thesis on an individual design topic.

Course of study

The four-semester master’s course offers students conceptual project studies in the first two semesters; a study programme oriented towards individual focal areas can be assembled here from various elective choices. The course of study is completed by a master’s thesis that will visualise a complex concept.

Prerequisites

The master’s courses are aimed at graduates with a bachelor’s or a ‘Diplom’ degree with an artistic/design emphasis. However, interested graduates of other disciplines who have relevant qualifications may also be admitted to a master’s course after taking the course-specific entrance test.

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

university and examination regulations

Study-relevant legal bases

Prerequisites

General qualification for university entrance, and artistic suitability. No specialist prior technical and craft skills are required. Exceptions: The general qualification for university entrance can be waived in cases of exceptional talent combined with professional experience.

Study Information Day

The university holds a Study Information Day in January every year for applicants. General information on the university is provided, and the various disciplines showcase themselves. You will be able to talk to students and to assistants. The precise date is announced on our website by mid-December at the latest.

Annual exhibition

The traditional summer festival, which includes the annual exhibition, is held every year in July at Burg Giebichenstein. The university opens up its studios, seminar facilities and workshops to all who are curious about the fresh ideas, objects and pieces of art that have been created in the various art and design disciplines at the state of Saxony-Anhalt's art university. You are cordially invited to come along!