About Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design

About Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design

Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG Karlsruhe) is a public state art college established in 1992 in Karlsruhe, Germany. It specializes in media art, communication design, product design, exhibition design, scenography, art research, and media philosophy, promoting strong interdisciplinarity across its departments. With a student body of approximately 400, the university offers a personalized and project-based learning environment. HfG Karlsruhe was founded by Heinrich Klotz alongside the Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM), aiming to relate traditional arts to media technology and electronic processes, envisioning an 'electronic Bauhaus'. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary work by linking artistic, applied, and theoretical courses, with practical and theoretical subjects integrated into the curriculum. Located in a listed former ammunition factory since 1997, shared with ZKM, the campus provides modern facilities including workshops and studios for practice-oriented training. The institution offers diploma and Magister's degrees rather than Bachelor/Master programs, ensuring international Bologna compatibility. It also supports doctoral studies (Dr. phil.) in art theory, media theory, and philosophy. Recognized for its excellent training concept by the Wissenschaftsrat in 2008, HfG Karlsruhe continues to foster innovative artistic and academic exploration through close cooperation with ZKM and a commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research.