CHF 1’550/year for students with tax residence in Switzerland
CHF 2’250/year for international students
Tuition fees
French
Language requirements
120
4 semesters
Full time
Master of Arts HES-SO in Design, major in Visual Knowledge
The program consists of real work projects, along with the study of image theories, project methodologies and specialized graphics practices. Students develop a critical perspective of images and forms, examining conditions of production, practices and their effects within various socio-cultural constructs.
Students will learn how to work with data, texts, and make observations in the field regarding the processes of visual communication that render content accessible and comprehensible to a variety of audiences.
The Master in Visual Knowledge is based on four principal areas of study:
This course is built around real-world partnerships with cultural, scientific and social institutions, which commission projects rooted in concrete contexts. Working in studios, students apply the approaches developed within their chosen specialization and collaborate in groups, bringing together complementary profiles. This collaboration enables them to combine skills and perspectives to develop graphic design projects tailored to specific contexts and audiences, including exhibitions, educational and learning resources, printed and digital editorial systems, cultural, social and scientific mediation projects, data visualizations and complex information visualizations, as well as tools for translating and communicating knowledge to wider audiences.
Students will undertake visual studies and study reference texts, analyzing political, social, ethical and esthetic issues within the context of images. This area of study helps develop a critical perspective on the systems of production and circulation of images.
Visual anthropology is seen as an essential methodology for field research, including conducting interviews, onsite observations and ethical research practices.
A series of elective courses allows students to explore different fields of graphic design, including visual culture, pictograms and iconography, letterform design, cartography and schematic drawing, information design, data visualization, spatial design, interaction and experience design, image production, and editorial design and publishing.
Students who obtain a diploma will:
Aladin Borioli
Eurostandard
Tamara Fischer
Amaury Hamon
Alexis Hominal
Matthieu Huegi
Clémence Imbert
INT Studio
Benoît Jeannet
Roman Karrer
Anthony Masure
Tamara Niklaus
Raphaël Pieroni
Johanne Roten
Tibor Udvari
Maxime Woeffray
Giliane Cachin
Eilean Friis-Lund
Index NGO
Offshore Studio
Retinaa
Upon obtaining a Master in Visual Knowledge, students will be able to apply their skills in visual communication and knowledge mediation, research, graphic design and production as:
Le cursus se déploie sur deux années consécutives. La première année est consacrée aux méthodes de recherche, au prototypage et au design d'interaction durable, et culmine par un projet réalisé avec un partenaire professionnel. La deuxième année est dédiée au mémoire de diplôme et à un projet interactif indépendant, intégrant l'ensemble des compétences acquises.
Formation à la recherche 1
Workshop transversal 1
Workshop à options 1 et 2
Module de l'orientation Visual Knowledge 1
Formation à la recherche 2
Workshop transversal 2
Workshop à options 3
Workshop à options 4
Module de l'orientation Visual Knowledge 2
Formation à la recherche 3
Workshop transversal 3
Workshop à option 5 et 6
Stage
Module de l'orientation Visual Knowledge 3
Master Thesis 1 – mémoire
Master Thesis 2 – pratique
HEAD – Genève provides students with a range of specialized workshops and facilities that serve as spaces for learning, experimentation, and production. Covering areas such as publishing and printing, image and sound, digital technologies, photography, woodworking, metalworking, 2D and 3D prototyping, and ceramics, these spaces offer instruction and guidance from professional teams.
At the Master’s level, cross-disciplinary courses engage with critical issues shaping contemporary practices, from the restitution of artworks to economic models in design. Some courses are open to students across all programs, while others are offered to groups of related disciplines.
Admission to the Master in Visual Knowledge requires:
If you do not hold the required qualification, you may apply for admission under special conditions. The applicable terms are set out in the Admission Requirements section.