Variety with concept: Our modes of teaching
In general studies at the KISD are project-oriented. Besides these projects the studies are stamped by scientific seminars, which are accompanied by lectures, technical seminars and workshop introductions. Additional courses are also offered for short terms, to teach specific know-how as is necessary, and dedired by the students. The spectrum is completed by student work groups, within which the students contribute indispensably to the everyday life at KISD.
At the beginning of each term there is published the curricular calendar for the election of seminars and projects which is the basis for the individual combination of the study plan of each student.
Projects
There are three types of projects:
- KP: Short term projects (KP: two weeks)
- MP: Middle term projects (half term)
- LP: Long term projects (the whole term)
Almost every Friday there are public presentations where the students present their project results. This leads towards constructive project critics as well as to a knowledge transfer between the students. All projects are documented and made available in the archive.
Scientific Seminars
Within every area of expertise there is offered one scientific seminar each term.
As a reflexive component these seminars form an indispensable completion towards the explicitly practical design oriented projects.
Supporting documents for a successful participation are reports as well as extensive documentations or investigations in written or medial form.
Lectures
The lectures at KISD are characterised be their alternating focuses, speakers, and themes. International experts from different professions, and Designers are regularly invited to be guest lecturers.
In addition to these, the so-called Wednesday-Lectures are dedicated to design theory and design theory and design history, covering the historical movements of the past, including cultural, social and economical aspects and their effects on design.
Technical Seminars
The technical seminars are offered by technical lecturerer and staff from science and research.
Complex or detailled basics and perspectives from the respective technical work area are the content of technical seminars.
Proofs of the successful participation are written achievement of practical workouts.
Workshop Introductions
In the scope of the workshop introductions the students are taught knowledge and skills in the areas: modelling, print media, wood and metal, which are needed for planning and producing particular objects.
The events are supervised with courtesy and oversight by the workshop chief instructor. The participation is compulsory and precondition for the intermediate exam and diploma program.
Skillful persons are excused from this commitment.
Student Workgroups
Student work groups (AG) are a power supply for the school and integral part of the studies at the Köln International School of Design. In these groups students define their own group-wide goals, and work toward achieving them, in addition to working on established tasks for the group. These student work groups are indispendable to the functioning of the KISD. They give the students the opportunity to practice working and learning self-resposibility. It is compulsory to participate in a student work group for two terms – but many students are dedicating themselves much longer to their respective »AG's«.
Our student work groups:
- Planing term working group
- International-WG
- Archive WG
- Public relation WG
- Interface / Interaction Lab WG
- CI-AG
- Gute Stube WG
- Online WG
- Alumni-WG
- Media-WG
- Bewerber-WG
- Design Preis Köln
- Team & Projekt
Additional Courses
A Flexible Compliment – The Courses
The existing academic program at KISD is complimented by a multitude of courses with different types of content. In Courses students will traine important basic skills ranging from English and documentation writing to software introductions. Also are the use of the tools and tworking techniques in the labs will be teached in courses.