Fashion School Q&A: Pforzheim University

Pforzheim University has three schools - the School of Design, the School of Engineering and the Business School. It combines creativity with business education and technical precision. The School of Design – DesignPF - offers six Bachelor's and three Master's programs in Design: from Fashion, Jewellery, and Accessory to Transportation Design and Media. FashionUnited recently spoke to Prof. Sibylle Klose, Dean for International Affairs, Academic Course Director BA Fashion, and Professor for Fashion, to discuss the impact of Covid-19, the type of courses the college offers, and the future plans of the institute.

How has the transition from in-house to remote learning been for the school and students?

Within a short period of time the School of Design in Pforzheim – DesignPF – created various digital formats adapting to different learning components. Following up strict pandemic regulations the School of Design managed to establish hybrid-teaching –models: different hands-on workshops for small groups of students have been interrelated with remote tutorials. Thanks to the disciplined behavior of students and staff, assessments, exams, and design presentations had been held in-house. A new “covid-19-claim” had been applied to “think flexibly, plan adaptably, act wisely and behave mindfully”.

How would you describe the student community at Hochschule Pforzheim?

The DesignPF community is a lively, energetic and sparkling group of students. Their diverse backgrounds, creative skill sets and drives for change empower them to create self-driven initiatives, crowd-funding activities, urban interactions with public spaces, start-up joint ventures or even collaborative work with the EMMA [creative hub and center for innovative entrepreneurship.

What kind of courses does Pforzheim University offer? What is the focus area?

Today, DesignPF offers 6 Bachelor and 3 Master programs in Design: from Fashion, Jewellery and Accessory to Transportation Design and Media. The exceedingly diverse range of award-winning design programs are recognized for highly skilled graduates with unique profiles, sensibilities and ingenuity in their professional practice. DesignPF education provides a transferable and holistically formed expertise led by principles for global responsible citizenship and the UNESCO sustainable development goals.

What do we need to know about Pforzheim University?

The School of Design in Pforzheim – DesignPF – is a vibrant institution with both a strong vision for future making and deep historical roots in responsible craft and industrialisation. Being devoted to creativity, experimentation and excellence, throughout the decades the School of Design established new educational components combining the principles of “Bauhaus” with upcoming digital challenges.

A unique range of art-related core classes are offered to all students fostering an engagement of intellectual, experimental and tacit rigor. Inter- and trans-disciplinary ventures, collaborative projects and crossover activities encourage innovation-led processes and responsible design approaches.

What are the plans for this year? Any new things coming up?

New pedagogical approaches will be strengthened, in particular proven teaching and “networking” models. Digital teaching tools facilitated the immediate input and participation of external critics, professional experts, industrial partners or international academics providing a closer inside of potential design fields or research areas. Due to these new experiences, digital formats and infrastructures will be improved and expanded.

The pandemic stimulated a differentiated reflection about design and its impact on the future. DesignPF will foster these new discourses as the new generation will be encouraged to move their insights to a new level.

Do you have any tips for future students who want to study at Pforzheim University?

If you are eager for a new mind and skillset, ready for being challenged and keen on taking an initial part in transforming the world through design – we’ll be very pleased to meet you!

Photos Credits: Martha Hupfauer: Des Kaisers neue Kleider, Photo Felix Konrad and Jan Hartmann: SYS-OFF, Photo: Jan Hartmann