What particularly distinguishes the exchange programme are the very different working methods in the courses. While the US exchange students in Hamburg learn to develop and deepen their ideas in project courses over an entire semester, the Hamburg students at MICA have to develop and creatively implement design tasks in short study periods. In doing so, they familiarise themselves with processes and working methods from the professional design industry and are thus prepared for the current professional demands placed on designers today. With the increasing globalisation of the design industry and the associated issues and areas of responsibility, the study semester in the USA offers an excellent opportunity to prepare students for these professional requirements. They gain valuable insights into the professional working methods of the respective partner country and can expand their knowledge for future work in a global environment.
Illustration student Sarah Rhein spent an exchange semester at MICA in the winter semester 2023/24, which she described in her final report as a great privilege. For her, the practical relevance of the teaching was most important. "Like many American universities, MICA is very market-orientated. The college works with many contemporary artists and industry professionals who give weekly lectures and often take part in a critique session during the course."
And it was precisely this practical orientation that was decisive in developing the cooperation further with ISAP funding. Professor Sven Vogel, who submitted the application in collaboration with the International Office, wrote: "Beyond the curriculum, MICA's focus on 'Professional Practice' offers its students an insight into the professional design industry by facilitating contacts between important representatives from design and art with the students and promoting a valuable and constant exchange. As a result, learning objectives and work results are at the cutting edge of professional practice and form a decisive added value and competitive advantage for students."
As part of the ISAP funding programme, each year three students receive a full scholarship of 6,215 Euros for a semester in Baltimore. In addition, there are travel grants for professors from the Department of Design and MICA to develop a teaching exchange. The first joint workshops in brand design and textile design have already been carried out as pilot projects in Hamburg and guest lectures in Baltimore have presented HAW Hamburg's special expertise in illustration and brand design. The aim of the ISAP project is to involve new colleagues in the cooperation in order to develop the exchange in other areas.
Text: Ingrid Weatherall, 2. Mai 2024
Link zur MICA-Website
Teaching exchange to date:
Sven Vogel - Mark Sanders, Sandie Maxa - Brand Design
Bernd Mölck-Tassel - Allan Comport - Illustration
Mareike Ottrand - Interactive Illustration & Games
Renata Brink & Patrick Kugler - Rosa Chang - Textildesign
