Study programme

Product Design and Design of Porcelain, Ceramics and Glass

Part of the study course Industrial Design in the Design faculty

The Product Design and Design of Porcelain, Ceramics and Glass study programme offers an attractive educational profile positioned between the twin poles of product design and applied art – with a particular specialisation in material-related design skills. The focus here is on fine ceramic materials (mainly porcelain) and glass. The teaching places great emphasis on intensive workshop-specific and material-specific investigation and implementation. Our guiding motto here is: “Working like a craftsman – Thinking like a designer”.

Selected courses

Focuses of this course of study

The Product Design and Design of Porcelain, Ceramics and Glass discipline offers unique and varied training with porcelain, ceramic and glass materials. The subjects covered in this project-oriented course of study are: eating and drinking, living, hotels, gastronomy, bathrooms, gardens. Complex studies on architecture-related and barrier-free design will also be initiated. Working at the interface between design, craftwork and technology, we attempt to combine traditional craft skills, new technologies, low-tech and high-tech, conventional materials and new high-performance materials. The content of the projects is increasingly characterised by new areas of application for traditional silica-based materials and by experimental design studies with new materials. 

Aim of the course

This discipline offers prospective students a broad range of opportunities and skills, including excellent networks and contacts in the sector. Operating between the poles of the disciplines of design and applied art, and between mass products, studio collections and one-off craft pieces, students will acquire varied design skills and specific technical expertise. This will give them the ability to develop their own new paths in their careers in a creative manner. During studies, the ability to explore the future potential of conventional silica-based materials in a playful, experimental manner with a high degree of sensibility and technical skill will develop in parallel with the students’ basic skills as product or studio designers. This research approach can be continued in a more advanced manner in the follow-on master’s course.

Course of study and teaching content

The Product Design / Ceramic and Glass Design field of study in the Industrial Design degree programme offers a staggered range of courses in the Bachelor's (BA) and Master's (MA) areas. The basis is the 8-semester BA Industrial Design: Product Design / Ceramic and Glass Design. As is typical for Halle, all design students complete a common foundation year, followed by specialisation in the chosen fields of study. The silicate materials are then systematically experienced and explored in methodical design exercises and in subsequent complex design projects. Related scientific teaching modules also accompany the specialised project work (technology courses, workshop workshops, specialist design history, start-up seminars, etc.). The lecturers are outstanding, recognised experts from business and research. Projects are regularly offered in practical partnerships with renowned companies, and students also benefit from the lively excursion and exhibition programme.An excellent network of international partner universities (semesters abroad are possible) complements the programme.Project and modelling work is carried out in our own workshops (plaster modelling studio, ceramics laboratory) and the central university workshops. The realisation is made possible internally in the Fine Ceramics Work Centre. The regular glass projects are realised in collaboration with external partners (Glashütte Harzkristall Derenburg, Farbglashütte Lauscha, Studio Peter Kuchinke, Studio im Museumsdorf Glashütte/ Baruth, etc.). Following the BA programme, a 1-year Master's programme can be completed consecutively.

Prerequisites

General qualification for university entrance, and artistic suitability. Six-month pre-university practical experience period in a relevant area as a minimum. Exceptions: The general qualification for university entrance can be waived in cases of exceptional talent combined with professional experience. 

Occupational field

Examples of typical careers of graduates:

Product designers for industry as salaried employees or freelancers

  • Dipl. Des. Barbara Schmidt, Kahla Thüringen Porzellan GmbH
  • Dipl. Des. Heike Philipp, BHS Tabletop AGDipl. Des. Cerim Manovi, Lego Group
  • Dipl. Des. Henrike Stein, Villeroy & Boch AG
  • Dipl. Des. Ursula Dendorfer, KPM Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin GmbH
  • MA Jennifer Dengler, Steuler-Fliesen GmbH
  • Dipl. Des. Romi Bohnenberg , ASA-Selection GmbH
  • MA Claudia Bischoff, Eschenbach Porzellan Group / Triptis Porzellan
  • MA Linda Prüfer, Porzellanmanufaktur Fürstenberg GmbH

Studio designers in their own studios, production and sales of limited series and one-off products

Teaching positions

  • Dipl. Des. Knut Michalk, Fachlehrer Porzellandesign, Hochschule Niederrhein Krefeld
  • Dipl. Des. Yvonne Hoelderle, Fachlehrerin, Staatliche Fachschule für Produktdesign Selb
  • Dipl. Des. Claudia Zachow, Dipl. Des. Sylvia Kögler, Dipl. Des. Kathrin Geißler, BBI – Akademie für berufliche Bildung gGmbH
  • Dipl. Des. Steffi Auffenbauer, Dozentin, Kompetenzzentrum „Gestalter im Handwerk“
  • Dipl. Des. Claudia Zachow, Gastprofessorin UdK Berlin

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Prerequisites

In addition to the general qualification for university entrance and demonstration of artistic suitability, the following subject-specific admission requirements have to be fulfilled for the Design of Playing and Learning discipline: Six-month pre-study internship in woodwork, metalwork or plastics processing, in graphics, design, model-building; craft or commercial vocational training with similar duties can also be recognised as a pre-university practical experience period. Knowledge and experience in social or pedagogical work would also be advantageous. Exceptions: Proof of the general qualification for university entrance can be waived in cases of exceptional talent combined with practical 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!

  • CONTACT UNIVERSITY

  • Office for students and 
    academic affairs
    T +49 (0)345-7751 532
    F +49 (0)345-7751 517
    ed.ellah-grub@ofniduts
  • degree

  • Diplom degree in Fine Arts
  • Start of study

  • Winter semester, new students 
    per year: 2-6
  • STANDARD PERIOD OF STUDY

  • Basic study programme: 4 semesters,
    Main study programme: 6 semesters (including diploma thesis)
    Diploma thesis: written and practical work, diploma colloquium
  • tuition

  • tuition-free
  • Application

  • Information for prospective students
    Application