University of Applied Sciences, Schwaebisch Hall,
Germany
Fachhochschule Schwaebisch Hall Exchange Program
Official school website: www.fhsh.de
Schwaebisch Hall website: www.schwaebischhall.de/
Exchange Information
Welcome
Exchange Program Overview
Quality of Education
Quality of Foreign Experience
Support for English-only speakers
Semester Dates and Course Compatibility
Media Design Course focus
Our Partner Universities
Exchange Student Application Materials
Courses for English-Speaking Students
Travel Instructions
Downloads
Housing Application
Application
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The Fachhochschule Schwaebisch Hall, University of Applied Sciences of Schwaebisch Hall, Germany is a private institution with full governmental accredidation. The University offers two study courses: Cultural Design and Media Design, with the Media Design department taking part of an established study abroad exchange. Nearly 160 students are instructed by professors and twenty specialized instructors. This provides a favorable student-teacher ratio, making an intense professional exchange possible, especially for foreign students. Unlike large impersonal universities, there is a familiar and personal climate for education and cultural exchange. Each year we welcome students while also sending our students abroad, encouraging an open-minded environment for everyone.
The Fachhochschule Schwaebisch Hall has an established student exchange program with several USA colleges as well as colleges throughout Europe and Australia. Our exchange program has been active for many years and now includes faculty exchange opportunities as well. The exchange program is primarily through the Department of Media Design. Students in the Department of Media Design are required to attend an English-speaking school on exchange for one semester as part of the seven-se-mester standard curriculum. Each Semester the FHSH hosts approximately six foreign students.
FHSH is a fully accredited by the German government as a University of Applied Sciences, School of Design offering a degree that is most equivalent to a BFA in the US. FHSH’s Media Design curriculum provides a complete range of instruction in digital media technology and theory including: image processing; typography; web design; interactive design; Internet programming; digital audio and composition; video; 3D modeling; and animation. Theory and research in media is offered in the studio classes as well as specialized academic courses.
The classes are small and the labs are fully equipped with both Mac and PC computers and the latest in New Media software and tools for video editing, sound design, multimedia and web design. Most courses are offered in English, which not only provides an open educational environment for our foreign students, but encourages our own students to speak English. Our Lecturers are all active in their fields of education, practicing as artists, designers, musicians. Because of this they are able to provide both a theortical and practical approach to new media. Our International Exchange Officer makes sure that our Exchange students are well adjusted to their new educational environment.
Schwaebisch Hall is located in the central region of southern Germany, not far from the major cities of Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Heidelberg. Salt and the rich trading relations gave the town its historic prosperity. Even today, one feels much of its early cosmopolitian personality and power. The character of the former Reichsstadt (historic 'free city') is stamped by a dynamic history lasting now for more than 2500 years. Today, Schwaebisch Hall is a modern prosperous business and cultural center. Its picturesque townscape and its cultural attractions make it a well-known traveling and touring destination. And there is much to be discovered. The many friendly cafes, bars, restaurants and beer gardens along the medieval bridges, as well as the beautiful public parks following the Kocher River, endow the town with a somewhat Mediterranean flair. The city and the region offer many sport activities, for example, the newly renovated saltwater pool and the huge recreational and outdoor pool, courses exist for ballet, gymnastics, dance, golf, tennis, aikido, as well as American football, just to mention a few. Lakes, rivers, and bicycle trails through the beautiful countryside of Hohenlohe offer many more activities.
In addition, Schwaebisch Hall is a major cultural center for the entire region. The city hosts several museums, galleries for contemporary art, theaters, and community events. For example, the outstanding and internationally renowned collection of contemporary art in the Kunstalle Würth, the traditional open-air theater on the stairs of St. Michael´s Church, the Globe Theater, and the Goethe Institute with the permanent presence of international students from all over the world to participate in classes from German language and culture. Schwaebisch Hall can be called a young-old town. Open to the world yet familiar and manageable: the ideal environment for successful studies.
Support for English-only speakers
A large percentage of the Media Design courses are taught in English as the primary language and most other courses can accommodate English-only speakers. All FHSH Media Design students and nearly all FHSH faculty and staff speak fluent English. Each semester there are several other US, Australian and UK exchange students from our partner colleges at FHSH. Also, most software is in English. While English-only speakers should feel completely comfortable at FHSH, optional German classes can be arranged at FHSH. For those interested in learning the German language more seriously, Intensive German courses are available at the Goethe Institute, which shares a building with FHSH, and at the local community college. Housing We provide students with excellent housing at the newly remodeled Max Kade Guest House. Each student will stay in a fully furnished apartment with a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom with all the extras (kitchen utensils, coffee maker, internet, bed sheets and towels). The Guest House is an historical building in the center of town which makes the time in Schwaebisch Hall comfortable and convienent. Enjoy picturesque views and walk to school in minutes. The yearly Christmas market is right outside of your door as are local cafes and restaurants.
Semester and Course Compatibility
The courses and semesters at FHSH offer content and scheduling compatibility with US college courses and semesters. The Winter semester at FHSH starts the first week of October and ends mid-February, with a 3 week break from mid-December to mid-January for Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Summer semester at FHSH starts mid-March and ends early July. Often in May and June, exchange faculty from the US present 2-8 week workshops. FHSH faculty give workshops at the exchange schools during either semester or during the FHSH academic breaks.
Winter Semester
Begins the first of October
Break: two weeks for Winter/Christmas/New Year
Ends mid-February
(Note: Exchange students can make arrangements to return to home institution
late December before the holidays.)
Summer Semester
Begins mid-March
Break: one week for Spring, usually around May 1
Ends early July
Media Design Course Focus
• multimedia and web design
• computer graphics and digital art
• typography and layout
• video production
• audio production
• animation and 3D modeling
• theory, conception and organization
• media art and fine art
Our Partners
The Cleveland Institute
of Art
Kansas City Art Institute
Maryland Institute College of
Art
Pacific Northwest College of Art
University of Maryland, Baltimore
County
University of Southern Maine
New Media Design
School, Auckland New Zealand
RMIT University, Melbourne
Australia
Loughborough University, England
Nuovo Accademia di Belle Arti Milano,
Italy
Swansea Institute of Higher
Education, Wales
Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht,
the Netherlands
Free
University of Bozen, Italy
The College of Management
and Public Administration, Zamosc, Poland
Universidad de Valparaiso, Chile
Foreign Exchange Student Application Materials
Deadlines · June 1 for Fall Semester · December 1 for Spring Semester
Fachhochschule Schwaebisch Hall Courses for English-Speaking Students
Courses change Summer/Winter. Student register for courses upon arrival.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Course title: Computer Graphics I
Level: 1st Semester
University lecturer: Professor Kim Collmer
This course presents the fundamentals of digital image processing and provides
an introduction of Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady. Understanding the digital
image and it’s the technical and conceptual relationship to traditional
imaging will be discussed. Exposure to historical uses of montage, collage,
and fabricated image construction will be presented in conjunction with digital
techniques. Assignments focus on both the comprehension of the conceptual and
technical aspects of tools.
Course title: Computer Graphics 2
Level: 2nd semester
University lecturer: Prof. Frank-Joachim Grossmann
In the beginning there is an introduction to the vector graphic program “Adobe
Illustrator” and combined with the programs Photoshop, Streamline and
Flash. A Wacom drawing tablet is practised in the same way. After covering these
aspects we continue with some Graphic Design projects: from the visual sign
(trademark, word mark, pictogram, icon ...) to information graphics and navigational
system up to combined analysis and the laws of the perception, optical delusions
and proportions.
Course title: Typography 1
Level: 2nd semester
University lecturer: Prof. Frank-Joachim Grossmann
A well-founded introduction to the layout programs Adobe InDesign and Quark
XPress is accompanied with the demonstration of the possibilities of the programs
and into the basic rules of typography. Sensitivity for the quality of the alphabetic
character picture, for typography in the urban environment and for trends advertising
and of design graphics are covered. Learning about the font development and
font classification leads to the importance of typography in modern communication.
The font technology for Macs and Windows is introduced and also discussed about
shown in Graphic Design and Screen Design.
Course title: Typography 2
Level: 3rd semester
University lecturer: Prof. Frank-Joachim Grossmann
The reading of words and sentences is the main topic of this course. In several
exercises we prove the legibility and reading forms for Graphic and Screen Design
in practice. Which fonts are appropriate for a topic and which fonts can be
combined with each other? The text structuring and text organization of advertising,
brochures and posters are in the same way part of this exercises. Along with
this, typographic rules and other facts of the typography forms in the programs
InDesign and of XPress will be discussed.
Course title: Typography 3
Level: 6th semester
Faculty: Media Design
University lecturer: Prof. Frank-Joachim Grossmann
How can you combine pictures and texts with each other? How can you organize
a book? These and further questions are answered here. We will produce a complete
magazine, and will work in project groups. At the same time you get an introduction
to the theory and practice of the newspaper and magazine layout, you see solutions
from famous professional designers, and you will gain a deeper understanding
of the programs Adobe InDesign and Quark XPress including the prepress workflow
preparations. Through the program Acrobat you learn about new aspects of eBooks
and WebZines on the Internet.
AUDIO
Course title: Audio I
Level: 1st Semester
University lecturer: Professor Fried Dahn
Basics studio technology, the equipment, and recording facilities. Overview
of recording and sound editing software. Composing with sonic foundry acid.
Basics music theory, harmony and rhythm, styles and history. First semester
final project is the production of an own song/sound composition.
Course title: Audio II
Level: 2nd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Fried Dahn
More about samplitude: editing, mixing. effects and sound design. Working with
Ableton live, Propellerhead Reason, Fruity Loops. Music and language, music
and film. Music history: from Bach to Stockhausen. Final project: the production
of an audio piece or the composition of a soundtrack for a film clip. Course
title: Audio III Level: 3rd Semester University lecturer: Professor Fried Dahn
Samplitude professional, all the features from recording to mastering. The final
course mainly focuses on the complete production of a sound piece, music for
a film or the production of an one hour radio show.
Course title: Audio IV
Level: 6th Semester
University lecturer: Professor Fried Dahn
Advanced topics in Audio. Projects in the past have included live performance
in combination with theatre, film score, and sound installations. Often taught
in collaboration with Computer Graphics IV.
WEB AND MULTIMEDIA DESIGN
Course title: Web I/ Intro to Web Design
Level: 1st Semester
University lecturer: Professor Kim Collmer
Introduction to HTML, the basic underlying screen design technology
of the Internet. The course presents the fundamentals of HTML programming and
the principles of interactive media design for web site production.
Course title: Web II/ Intermediate Web Design
Level: 2nd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Kim Collmer
Basic principles of web design and layout are covered in this course through
the use of Dreamweaver and Photoshop. In the second half of the course web animation
and interactive animation are explored through the use of Flash. Discussions
about site navigation, audience, and underlying design principles will be followed
by practical application. Students will be required to work from concept to
completion, demonstrating clearly their decision-making throughout the process.
Course title: Web III/ Introduction to Interactivity on the Web
Level: 3rd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Kim Collmer
This course covers technology and concerns surrounding interactivity
on the web. By utilizing both Javascript and Actionscript students create interactive
projects. The firs half of the courses focuses on understanding the language
structure of Javascript. In the second half, the course progresses to the demonstration
of the underlying principles of Flash Actionscripting. Students create interactive
narratives or web games.
Course title: Multimedia Authoring
Level: 2nd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Martin Koeppl
This is a foundational studio course in interactive imaging and multimedia authoring.
Participants will learn to employ imaging and animation tools and basic programming
techniques (Lingo) as a base towards conceptualizing and solving problems in
interactive art and media design. The program covered most in depth is Macromedia’s
Director. There will also be brief introductions to other programs (Authoring
Tools, Video, Audio). For every student the final output of this class will
be an interactive application on a CD-ROM with script and storyboard. Readings
will complement the hands-on design work.
VIDEO
Course title: Video I
Level: 2nd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Guido Kuehn
The course is divided into two halves: The first part is a general introduction
to technical matters (camera, lightning, studio, and equipment) and workflow
(idea-story-script-storyboard-on/offset/ post-production) and content-/production
related quality management. The second part of the semester is the realization
of a 3-5 minute production. Editing and DVD authoring will be trained during
the completion of this production.
Course title: Video II
Level: 3rd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Guido Kuehn
This course focuses upon the realization of more complex video productions.
The outline of the course will be determined with the students during the first
sessions. To date we have done: local television news production/journalism,
music videos, short movies and product ads.
Course title: Computer Graphics- Animation I*
Level: 2nd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Guido Kuehn
Introduction to basic animation techniques, including composition, keying, vfx
and green-/bluebox.
Course title: Computer Graphics - Animation II*
Level: 3rd Semester
University lecturer: Professor Guido Kuehn
Introduction to 3D Animation with Lightwave. modeling, surfacing, lightning,
animation.
Course title: Video III
Level: 3rd and higher
University lecturer: Professor Guido Kuehn
Independent Video Project * Students perform their own projects or participate
on projects provided by the Professor.
*) Projects are often combined
MIXED TOPICS
Course title: Computer Graphics IV- Interactive Media
Level: 6th Semester University
Lecturer: Prof. Collmer/ Prof. Koeppl
This course covers advanced topics in new media and interactive design. Students
work either individually or in groups on interactive installations, live performance
with video or other projects that take the computer "our of the box".
Often taught in combination with Prof. Dähn.
Course title: Sculpture – Principles of Three-Dimensional Work:
Object – Site – Space
Faculty: Cultural Studies
University lecturer: Krisof Georgen
Different sculpture courses for media and cultural design students are offered
throughout the year. In 2nd semester cultural design and 3rd semester media
design we focus our work on sculpture.Beginning with traditional materials as
clay and plaster the students develop sculpture as an autonomous object understanding
elements of form, volume and surface. The course focuses on comprehending basic
principles and methods of research and construction works, as well as concerns
on properties of material and modes of proceeding and intention. Partly working
on given themes students generally get to work independently, understanding
object, process and sitespecificity
as related factors of a sculptural work. Theory, discussions, excursions. Size
limits. Some lectures only in German language.
Course title: Media Theory
Level: 6th Semester
University lecturer: Professor Martin Koeppl
Seminar covering architecture, film and post-modern critical theory.
Course title: Independent Study
Level: Open to all Study Abroad Students
Lecturers: Student choice
This course is offered as an independent study course for foreign students.
In this course students are encouraged to develop a project that is either collaborative
or personal. They then work with different professors on technical and conceptual
issues, having one-on-one meetings throughout the semester. Projects have typically
been video, animation or web sites, often about the students’ experiences
while studying abroad.
*In addition to these courses each semester we offer evening Electives.
Please try to arrive during our office hours so we can help you get settled. We are open between Monday-Thursday, 9-4.
If possible we will try to find someone to pick you up, but if not just follow these instructions.