Organisation
The departments form the basic organisational units of the university and follow the principle of self-administration. This means that, in addition to research and teaching, professors also participate in academic self-administration and thus have the opportunity to help shape the future of the departments.
The workshops and laboratories offer a versatile infrastructure for realising practical work as part of project studies. There is also an excellently stocked specialised library. The caretaker Nils Malz is responsible for the ongoing management of the buildings.
The basic framework conditions for university activities are regulated by the Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG) and the Basic Regulations of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (GrO).
Faculty Council
The Faculty Council discusses matters of fundamental importance to the faculty. Among other things
- it decides on appointment proposals from appointment committees
- issues study and examination regulations
- decides on the establishment and cancellation of working groups
- makes proposals for development planning
- comments on the target agreements with the Executive Board.
Student Council
The student council comprises all students in a department. The student council (FSR), which represents the interests of the student council, is elected from among them. An annual budget from the AStA is available for this purpose. The FSR has the task of passing on experience, information and learning aids as well as livening up contact between the semesters.
Internship office
The Internship Office of the Darmstadt faculty coordinates internship periods and provides support in preparing internships. It checks and recognises pre-study internships, accompanies the internship semester and maintains company contacts to support students in their search for an internship.
Workshops and laboratories
Eight workshops and laboratories offer ideal conditions for realising technically demanding projects. The spectrum ranges from traditional techniques - analogue model making, lead typesetting, screen printing, analogue photo technology - to 3D printing and programming virtual spaces with complex interaction and navigation options. Our workshop staff and tutors are on hand to provide advice at every stage of realisation.
Computer lab
This laboratory provides state-of-the-art digital workstations for courses, project work and study purposes.
Modelling workshop
In the model making workshop, three-dimensional shapes can be developed for design projects using various analogue or digital technologies.
Print workshop
A wide range of traditional and state-of-the-art printing processes can be realised in the large-scale printing workshop.
Screen printing workshop
The screen printing workshop offers the prerequisites for producing serigraphic works of various kinds.
Human Factors Lab
The Human Factors Lab offers the best conditions for expanding and deepening the teaching content in the areas of human-system interaction and ergonomics.
Craft workshop
The craft workshop attached to the modelling workshop offers the opportunity to spontaneously immerse yourself in an experimental and intuitive discovery process in various phases of the project work.
Library
The departmental library has contemporary and classic publications on the design fields of industrial and communication design as well as books and specialist magazines on the photography specialisation. Around 14,000 titles are available on site, offering a differentiated specialist insight into design topics, as well as access to a wide range of printed works - from rarities to current magazines.
Regular guided tours give first-year students a good orientation.
Librarian
Sabine Zimmermann
Opening hours
Mon-Thu 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Office: E31, 1.11N
sabine.zimmermann@h-da.de | +49.6151.533-68361
Sponsoring organisation: Support for a wide range of design projects and Merck Prize for Design
Founded in 1977, the "Verein der Freundinnen, Freunde und Förderer des Fachbereichs Gestaltung der Hochschule Darmstadt e. V." supports the education of prospective designers at the faculty. It is particularly active in the following areas:
Promotion of publicity projects and events, e.g. lectures, exhibitions, symposia, competitions, maintaining contacts between the department, former teaching staff and students as well as other open-minded circles (individuals and corporate bodies).
Anyone can become a member and thus support the work of the association and its goals.
The annual membership fee for 'new' alumni is 15 euros.
After two years, the membership fee increases to 30 euros per year.
Corporate memberships cost 60 euros per year.
- The annual fee for 'new' alumni is 15 euros.
- After two years, the membership fee increases to 30 euros per year.
- Corporate memberships cost 60 euros per year.
The association is also happy to receive donations, for which donation receipts can be issued. Our bank details at Sparkasse Darmstadt:
The Friends' Association supports projects and activities at the Department of Design. Applications can be made for
- Events such as lectures or exhibitions
- publications
- excursions
- maintaining contacts between the department and former teachers and students as well as interested persons and organisations
- Financial grants for particularly complex individual projects
- Support for students in need (in cases of particular hardship)
Decisions on applications are made at board meetings and general meetings. Our general meetings take place on the day of the graduation ceremony in the summer semester. Invitations are sent by e-mail.
Merck Prize for Design
Since 2022, the sponsoring association, with the support of Merck, has been awarding a prize for outstanding, trend-setting theses in the fields of communication design and industrial design at the Department of Design at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, the "Merck Prize for Design".
The prizes, each worth 1,000.00 euros, are awarded to two graduands each semester as part of the graduation ceremony.
The jury is made up of one representative each from the Sponsors' Association, the company Merck and the Department of Design and is supplemented by two external guest jurors and the two previous year's prizewinners.
1st Chairman
Thomas Kowallik
2nd Chairman
Paul Abendschein
Managing Director
Stefanie Gmelin
stefanie.gmelin@extern.h-da.de
Treasurer
