Background
The UIC/HGK Basel International Master of Design (MDes Basel) is a collaboration between two preeminent design schools housed in leading public research institutions: The Institute Digital Communication Environments of the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, Switzerland (HGK Basel) and the School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Our MDes Basel program offers advanced design students’ opportunities to amplify their creative abilities as they engage in the world-class cultural offerings of two vibrant cities.
Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW has influenced the international graphic design community since the 1960s. UIC is a young, progressive, and distinguished public research university. Based on the tradition of Swiss Design pedagogy, the aim of our collaborative graduate program is to advance the profession’s expanding directions and range of impact by balancing deep disciplinary engagement with proactive critical intent. In this context, students are encouraged to connect the meaning and purpose of their work to global, cultural, political, technological, and socio-economic issues.
MDes Basel students participate in project-oriented activities that strengthen process-oriented skills as applied to image- and form-making, typographic forms and systems, documentation and publication design, and digital media innovation. Curriculum additionally fosters analytical competence in research and writing, as well as in design history and theory. A highlight of the program is the master’s thesis, an independent research, writing, design, and exhibition project, that offers students the opportunity to identify and explore a topic of inquiry with the potential to contribute to broader disciplinary knowledge.
Coordinated programs of exchange offer possibilities for all MDes students to experience the rich international history of Basel and to access the diverse forms of design practice in Chicago. Every other year, Basel-based students make a field trip to Chicago. Activities and excursions during this exchange balance campus-based collaborative workshops with interdisciplinary cultural experiences. Between the first and second year of the program, Chicago-based MDes students participate in the Basel Summer Workshops.
Nearly 15 years ago, we celebrated our first graduating class of the MDes Basel. Since that time, alumni have established independent studios at the forefront of design practice; been recruited to teach at design schools and universities worldwide; taken part in academic and exhibition programs such as Dubai, Eindhoven, Mexico City, New York, and Seoul; and assumed diverse leadership roles in the international field of design. We look forward to continuing this tradition of influence and welcome your application for fall 2024.
Course language: English
Contact us for details.
Since 2014, we're located at a new campus in the Dreispitz areal of Basel. With the move, we join forces with our fellow institutes of HGK Basel, expanding the shared pool of resources available to each student.
Our alumni's impact is found across the globe.
A selection of profiles since our first graduate class of 2009:
Pouya Ahmadi, Iran
Associate Professor RISD
Mano Ahn, South Korea
Creative Director, Ahn Graphics
Zeynep Basay, Turkey
Founder, Pata Studio
Pegah Ahmadi, Iran
Lead Product Designer | Design System, Front
Pablo Berger, Mexico
Founder, berger + co
Emily Verba, USA
Associate Professor, DAAP
Sungwon Chang, South Korea
Senior Designer, Microsoft
Riem Ibrahim, Dubai
Assistant Professor, American University of Sharjah
Co-Founder, Mobius Design Studio
Engy Aly, Egypt
Assistant Professor, American University in Cairo
Jude Kang, South Korea
Adjunct Professor, Konkuk University
María Marín de Buen, Mexico
Book Designer, Estudio María Marín de Buen
Hala Al-Ani, Dubai
Assistant Professor, American University of Sharjah
Co-Founder, Mobius Design Studio
Pedro Neves, Portugal
Faculty Lead, BS Computer Science + Design, UIC
Aubrey Pohl, USA
Visiting Assistant Professor, MSU
Anahat Kaur, India
Brand Designer, ResearchGate
Sent by e-mail:
Theodore Davis
theodore.davis@fhnw.ch
Subject: MDes Basel - 2025 Application
The portfolio should consist of up to 20 examples, we strongly encourage process work alongside final outcomes. Limit image sizes to 1920px, 72dpi and keep PDF file size under 10Mb. A second PDF may be uploaded if necessary. For media and interactive works, please provide screenshots and URL links for online viewing.
Place letter of intent and resume at the beginning of a multipage PDF, followed by your portfolio work.
Two letters of recommendation, requested from teachers or professional contacts, are organized in Slideroom. There's a grace period of 14 days for these letters to be submitted.
If accepted by HGK Basel, you‘ll proceed with an online application for registration with UIC.
This requires official university transcripts (translated if necessary) and TOEFL/IELTS proficiency tests in English.
Deadline: March 31st, 2025
Notification for interviews: April 8th, 2025
Confirmation of participation: May 30th, 2025
Late applications welcome until spots are filled.
Contact us for details.
For additional questions, please feel free to contact us.
The International Master of Design Program UIC/HGK Basel is a collaboration of University of Illinois Chicago and Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW.
Ted Davis, Program Coordinator
theodore.davis@fhnw.ch
+41 61 228 41 24
Prof. Michael Renner, Head of Institute
michael.renner@fhnw.ch
+41 61 228 40 85
IDCE Student Administration
info.idce.hgk@fhnw.ch
+41 61 228 41 11
Stay informed for Fall 2026