Self-test for Communication Design HF: Is this course right for me?

What does the day-to-day work of a communication designer HF (formerly designer HF communication design, specializing in visual design) look like?

Communication designers HF (formerly designers HF communication design, specializing in visual design*) are employed by consulting firms in the communication industry, recording and production studios or by larger companies in marketing, communication or advertising departments. They may also work freelance in a studio. They are usually a member of an interdisciplinary team of marketing specialists, photographers, programmers, etc., where they can also take on specialist and management tasks (e.g. project management).

Communication designers HF Visual Design use media "codes" (e.g. slogans for brands) to convey messages about products, brands or services and thus achieve the desired effect on the relevant target groups. To this end, they conceive, stage, design and realize various means of communication such as newspapers, books, posters, flyers or (online) advertisements. Visual designers HF have a significant influence on everyday culture.

Communication designers HF (formerly designers HF communication design, specializing in visual design) hold regular meetings with clients. This is where they find out exactly what the customer wants and what the brief is. As a first step, they develop ideas based on the brief, create visual drafts and a concept. At an early stage, they incorporate current developments (e.g. more sustainable printing technology) and visions for the future. They then present the design and concept to the customer. Customer feedback is incorporated into the subsequent development of a prototype. They present the prototype to the customer and incorporate their suggestions and further ideas into its further development, etc. During this process, visual designers HF advise the customer on the realization.

In their work, communication designers HF are in constant contact with various experts - including on cultural and social trends and technological progress.

*Note: The profession of "Communication Design HF" was previously called "Designer HF Communication Design" (abolished as of 2022) and before that "Visual Designer HF (abolished as of 2021). The professional field of activity is very diverse. Accordingly, various specializations or fields of activity have emerged. The following specializations currently exist:

• Animation and motion design
• Film and audiovisual media
• Photography
• Interaction Design / Interactive Media Design
• Design & Commercial Art
• Communication design in space (spatial design)
• Illustration and comic
• Visual design

Target group and skills: Who is the HF degree course in Communication Design HF, Visual Design suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

Studying at a university of applied sciences (HF) in communication design (formerly designer HF communication design, specializing in visual design) is suitable for

• People who want to further develop their strategic, conceptual and visual skills and abilities.
• People who want to create a solid foundation for their design career.

Communication designers HF should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical understanding (software skills: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Virtual Reality etc.)
• Media affinity
• Creative and design skills
• Willingness to experiment
• Flair for art, creation and design
• Independent and reliable way of working
• conceptual skills
• Sense of responsibility
• Customer and service orientation
• Confident and professional demeanor
• Organizational skills
• quick comprehension, thirst for knowledge
• Communication skills and foreign language skills
• Team and conflict management skills

Requirements for admission to the HF degree course in Communication Design with a specialization in Visual Design

Admission requirements for the HF course in communication design (formerly HF communication design, specializing in visual design) are determined by the universities of applied sciences.* The admission requirements are set out in the study regulations of the respective HF. As a rule, the following admission requirements apply:

• Secondary level II qualification (EFZ**, vocational baccalaureate, baccalaureate from a grammar school, degree from a technical or commercial secondary school) or tertiary qualification (BP, HFP, Bachelor FH/UH, Master FH/UH, CAS, DAS, MAS) advantageously in a creative professional field

Or

• Exceptional and proven creative talent (admission "sur dossier")

And

• Basic knowledge and basic skills in visual design***

And

• Several years of practical experience in visual design or a related field.

And

• Admission procedure (may vary from school to school): Letter of motivation, submission of a portfolio/personal work portfolio/sketchbook, homework assignment and personal aptitude interview

Possible further conditions:

• Some schools have a limited number of places per year.
• A relevant practical activity in communication design of at least 50% during the course of study is often required.

* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula that have been jointly developed by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The universities of applied sciences must adhere to existing framework curricula when designing the details of their courses. The HF courses are then federally recognized and lead to a protected title.

** Basic vocational training in a creative field is desirable, such as graphic designer EFZ, polydesigner 3D EFZ, photographer EFZ, mediamatician EFZ, designer advertising technology EFZ, etc.

*** Many schools offer preparatory courses for participants with no previous design training or with some missing qualifications, which are mandatory in such cases. An appointment for the admission procedure will only be made once these compulsory courses have been completed.

Subject matter and content of the training

The universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their courses for prospective communication designers HF (formerly designers HF communication design, specializing in visual design). The course content covered can therefore vary from HF to HF.

In principle, however, all HF are based on the "Communication Design HF" framework curriculum dated 24.10.2022. The Swiss Graphic Designers Association (SGV), Swiss Graphic Designers (SGD), Viscom, Swiss Professional Photographers and Film Designers (SBF) and the Directors' Conference of Swiss Design Schools (SDS) are behind this. They are the sponsors of the framework curriculum and are responsible for the creation of the framework curriculum and its periodic review in terms of up-to-dateness and quality.

The following topics are frequently covered in the HF program:

• Editorial, corporate and interaction design
• Branding
• History of art, culture and design
• Presentation technology
• Production technology
• Marketing (social media, content, SEO)
• Conceptual work
• Drawing
• Photography and visual worlds, moving images
• Typography
• Layout
• Idea and analysis
• Creative communication and dialog
• Leadership skills

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the school, training location and training model. In general, the following costs can be expected for the 4-6 semester HF course:

• Enrollment fees/fees for the admission procedurebetween CHF 50 and CHF 200.
• Course feesbetween CHF 8,900 and CHF 17,400 for students residing in the canton where they are studying*.
• Examination fees and fees for the diploma thesisThe costs for the examinations or diploma thesis are not always included in the course fees. You may have to expect examination fees of around CHF 400 and fees for the diploma thesis of around CHF 250 to CHF 2,000.
• Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for teaching materials, training documents, material costs, excursions, seminar weeks or exam repetitions. Find out about the additional costs directly from the provider of your choice.

Note: Most schools allow you to use the infrastructure outside of lesson times. Please clarify this directly with the school of your choice.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. The following requirements apply in order to receive cantonal funding:

• at least two years of residence in the canton (students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees)
• The course is on the list of eligible courses, which can be viewed on the website of the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education).

Duration of study, number of lessons, training model and learning effort

• Duration of studyThe HF course in Communication Design HF (formerly known as Gestalter/in HF Kommunikationsdesign, Vertiefung Visuelle Gestaltung) has a modular structure and generally lasts 6 semesters (depending on the provider and training model, the full-time course can also be completed in just 4 semesters).
• Number of lessonsThe course comprises 3600 learning hours for students with a relevant EFZ. For students without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours increases to 5400. Learning hours include, for example, attendance times, time for independent learning, individual work, group work, events, learning assessments and qualification procedures, as well as time to put what has been learned into practice and supervised work placements. How these learning hours are ultimately divided up in terms of time is decided by the respective school.
• Training modelsThe program is offered as a part-time or full-time course including internships.
• Teaching format: Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
• Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons as well as for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.

Degree, diploma and title

The degree course in communication design HF (formerly designer HF communication design, specializing in visual design) concludes with a diploma examination, which is usually made up of the results of the previous semester examinations and a diploma thesis/project work. For some HFs, the diploma thesis must be presented to a group of experts and then defended in a discussion.

Responsibility for conducting the examination lies with the schools, which is why the final examination procedure can vary from school to school. For example, at some schools the diploma thesis is written after the subject lessons in the last semester, at others during the subject lessons.

In the practice-oriented diploma thesis, candidates must demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. They write the thesis in individual or group work.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Certified Communication Designer HF".

In French: "Designer diplômée ES en communication visuelle / Designer diplômé ES en communication visuelle"

In Italian: "Designer dipl. SSS in design visivo / Designer dipl. SSS in design visivo"

In English (recommendation, but not a protected title): "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Visual Design"