Communication Design
Working across media: Designing communication in a visual society
To structure and communicate information in our highly media-driven society, communication designers utilise diverse types of media to plan, design and realise communications products and processes – via images, text and sound.
This Master's degree course builds on and deepens the skills acquired in the Bachelor's degree course. The focus here is on applying holistic thinking that draws on knowledge and skills from numerous areas to develop communications products that are both creative and socially responsible.
These abilities are increasingly in demand in communications and media professions in the cultural, educational and economic sectors. The production of content that meets ethical criteria is a particular challenge in our highly visual world. Additionally, the designing of communications products is no longer limited to traditional channels. Instead, comprehensive systems that can also provide complex information for diverse media and channels are necessary. Students in the Communication Design Master's degree course at HAW Hamburg are able to further develop and refine these skills.
Good reasons to study Communication Design at HAW Hamburg
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The Master's degree course in Communication Design has been an established degree course at HAW Hamburg for several years and builds substantially on the Bachelor’s degree course in Communication Design or similar degree courses at other universities.
The course is based at the modern and diverse Hamburg Art and Media Campus. The campus is home to the closely linked Illustration degree course, as well as the Department of Media Technology and the Department of Information, both of which are part of the Faculty of Design, Media and Information. It is also home to three other art and media universities. This makes it part of an inspiring network offering extensive opportunities for collaboration.
The degree course covers a wide range of topics. At the same time, it also provides space for the development of dynamic and interactive projects that apply the newest technologies in our modern communications society.
Particular emphasis is placed on combining design work with current approaches in design theory as part of cooperative projects. This entails reflecting on and experimenting with the role of designers in society.
The Master's degree course in Communication Design qualifies you to work in management positions in design offices and advertising agencies, in publishing, in digital media and film production, in photography, and as a freelancer.
The right course for you?
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If you’d like to join us on this course, you should be able to identify communication and design challenges and meet them with a high level of skill. We’re looking for talents whose Bachelor or Diplom thesis (or equivalent piece of work) stood out from the crowd – in a good way. Ideally, you’ll be a team player who’s prepared to take on responsible roles.
Graduates of this Master's degree course are qualified for leadership positions within companies or business, political, cultural or educational institutions, as well as for freelance work and self-employment. Upon successful completion of the Master's thesis, students will be awarded a Master of Arts degree.
Course content and structure
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The three-semester Master's degree course in Communication Design consists of an independent curriculum made up of projects, seminars and presentations. Like the Bachelor’s degree course, it allows for both interdisciplinary work and specialisation.
The analysis of and reflection on artistic and design perspectives is intensified in the Master's degree course. Particular attention is given to the integration of the various subject areas of design. The sociocultural contexts and societal relevance of the design disciplines is also addressed and analysed in depth.
The Communication Design degree course offers an interdisciplinary course of study covering the following subjects:
- Brand design
- Editorial design
- Photography
- Interaction design
- Type design
- Typography
- Time-dependent media
Students can select an individual specialisation.
As a Master’s student in the Communication Design degree course, you will deepen your knowledge of visual thinking, visual communication and new technologies for various communications platforms. The degree course focuses on innovative design types and design solutions.
Admission requirements
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The following documents are required as part of your application to take a test of artistic aptitude for a Master's degree in the Department of Design:
- A copy of your Bachelor or Diplom certificate for a design degree or a similar artistic/creative degree. Alternatively, applicants can submit a letter from their university confirming that they will successfully complete their Bachelor thesis or Diplom exam in the semester in which they are applying.
- An explanation of which minor and which specialisations the applicant wants to take the test for. For the minor in 'Communication Design' applicants can list more than one specialisation.
- A portfolio of artistic/creative and conceptional work which illustrates the applicant's design skills in an appropriate and convincing way. If one of the works submitted has been produced by more than one person, this must be made clear.
- A written and signed statement confirming authorship of the work samples submitted.
- A brief letter of intent outlining your own goals for the Master's degree course, in the form of either a project outline for an artistic/design project or a description of the skills you aim to acquire.
The following documents are required as part of your application for a study place:
- A copy of your Bachelor or Diplom certificate
- Verification that you have passed the test of artistic aptitude
- International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the German language via a recognised language test, which should be one of the following: Goethe Institute C1, TestDaF 4, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH2, Deutsches Sprachdiplom issued by the KMK (Kultusministerkonferenz), or Kleines or Großes Sprachdiplom issued by the Goethe Institute.
- Preliminary review documentation (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) from uni assist for international students
Application process
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Please note that you need to pass an artistic aptitude test in order to be admitted to this degree course. This involves the submission of a portfolio and takes place each spring. Additional information about the process, deadlines and registration (in German).
The letter informing you that you have passed the aptitude test is not a letter of admission for winter semester!
You can only apply for a study place once you have passed the artistic aptitude test. Applications are accepted from 1 June–15 July: Applying for a Master's degree course
Questions about applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions:
HAW Master's Degree Course Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9898
master-application (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed
In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am
For general queries about degree courses:
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstrasse 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions:
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact the department
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Specifically subject-related queries:
Prof. Katharina Duve
Finkenau 35, 22081 Hamburg
katharina.duve (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
