Graphic Design
Graphic Design is a specialization within the academic program of Visual Arts.
Embark on an inspiring journey where you’ll master the fundamental principles of graphic and experiential design. The first year provides a solid foundation in visual communication, concept development, storytelling, and digital skills. Take a look below to see what you can expect!
Discover the fascinating world of Graphic Design: Art Direction & Experience Design!
From a Solid Foundation to the Designer of the Future
At PXL-MAD, we go beyond creating visually appealing designs. You’ll learn to combine text, imagery, sound, and color to craft unique, powerful, and impactful messages. Creativity, experimentation, storytelling, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship form the core of our approach.
Why Choose Our Programme?
The first year of the Bachelor’s programme offers a dynamic mix of theory, practical skills, and future-focused learning. Whether your dream is a career in branding, storytelling, digital interfaces, or motion design, this program lays the groundwork for your creative success. Start your design adventure with us and make an impact in the world of visual design.
Focus Areas in the Second and Third Year
Starting in the second year, you’ll deepen your expertise through four specialized studios. In each studio, you’ll receive analog and digital tools, techniques, and guidance to create designs that matter. Master industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, and Figma. Combine technical expertise with creative freedom to craft exceptional designs. Whether you want to innovate in digital experiences, create immersive stories, or design visual identities, these programs prepare you for a cutting-edge career in design.
In the third year, you’ll choose one of these studios as your specialization, further developing your skills, knowledge, and personal visual language. Become a designer of the future, ready to shape the rapidly evolving world and society around you.
We offer as well a Pre-Master of one / two year that helps you prepare for and gain entry to the Master programme.
Studio Visual Design & Strategy
Design visual identities that stand out and effortlessly convey brand values across platforms. This studio focuses on strengthening your skills in typography, letter design, and strategic design, as well as developing creative campaigns. You'll work on projects that combine traditional graphic design principles with contemporary methods. Along the way, you'll learn how to bring concepts to life effectively and tailor visual communication to the needs of different media and audiences. Interactive designs and the creation of dynamic visual elements are also explored, enabling you to build a versatile, future-oriented portfolio.
To enhance these skills, you'll use leading software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Figma for interactive and UI designs, and basics in motion design with tools like After Effects.
Studio Narrative Design
Bring visual stories to life that inspire and connect, exploring both traditional and modern techniques. This studio focuses on storytelling through illustration, animation, and multimedia. You'll work on projects such as storyboards, kinetic typography, and motion graphics, learning to craft compelling stories that powerfully convey emotions and ideas. Emphasis is placed on developing your unique visual language and experimenting with both manual and digital techniques, fostering innovation and expression.
To expand your skills, you'll use tools such as digital illustration software, animation programs, and 3D design software. Programs like Procreate, Toon Boom Harmony, and Blender will help you realize your creative vision and add distinctive elements to your stories.
Studio Digital Experience Design & Immersive Media
Discover the future of interactive design and dive into the world of digital experiences that blur the line between reality and virtuality. In this studio, you will conceptualize immersive and innovative user experiences, focusing on intuitive flows and technologies that enrich everyday life. Projects range from interactive installations to augmented and virtual reality experiences, where creativity and functionality intersect.
To bring your ideas to life, you'll use advanced and accessible tools suitable for experimental and professional work. These include software such as Unity and Unreal Engine for AR/VR projects, Blender or Cinema 4D for 3D modeling, and TouchDesigner for interactive and dynamic installations. These tools will support you in creating groundbreaking designs that are ready for a digital future.
Studio Experiential Design & Branding
Transform brands into powerful experiences through creative spatial design and compelling storytelling. In this studio, you'll learn how to develop exhibitions, events, and brand activations that leave a lasting impression. You'll combine physical and digital elements to create unique experiences that embody a brand's essence.
The focus is on designing spaces and interactions that tell a story and connect people to the brand. You'll work on concept development, spatial visualizations, and experiential designs. Using tools such as Adobe After Effects for visual effects and Figma for digital brand prototypes, you'll seamlessly integrate physical and digital experiences. For technical applications, tools like Resolume for projection mapping and SketchUp or Rhino for 3D visualizations will help you bring your ideas to life, making brand experiences truly tangible and immersive.
Studio Reading Type & Typography
This course revolves around experimentation and research, in which thoughts and actions are in constant interplay with each other. The increase of interest in type design and/or typography – which happens in contrast with other areas of design and/or scientific fields – is seen as an inspiring starting point that is constantly questioned in order to develop a critical attitude towards design for reading (both on traditional media and in contemporary digital times).
The master programme consists of two major components: Studio Practice and the Master Seminar Series ‘READSEARCH: Reading Type & Typography’. Based on these two components and supported by a team of renowned designers, artists and academics from our own faculty as well as international guest-speakers and guest tutors, students are continually encouraged and challenged to reflect on their work by shifting between being ‘in’ and being ‘out’ of their own work.
Thanks to the extensive network of our department and of members of staff, students are given several possibilities to come in contact with and/or getting to know international organisations, institutes, designers, typographers and type designers interested in typography and font design.
For more detailed information, please download our information brochure or send an e-mail to Ann.Bessemans@PXL.BE, head of the Master Studio Reading Type & Typography.
Our Pre-Master programme
If you have already obtained an academic bachelor's degree, you can progress to a master's program through a preparatory programme. A preparatory program may be required if you do not possess a diploma that directly grants access to the program you wish to enroll in. If you have completed a preparatory program, you will not receive a bachelor's degree. You will only receive a certificate that grants access to the relevant master's program.
If you have already obtained a professional bachelor's degree, you can progress to a master's program through a transition programme. The transition program aims to provide the general scientific competencies and foundational knowledge in scientific disciplines.
Teaching Staff
Visual Design & Strategy: Tom Andries, Ann Bessemans*, Kevin Bormans, Giullio Galli, Martha Guidotti, Carl Haase, Luc Rerren, Monique Rutten, Johan Vandebosch and Katleen Verjans
Narrative Design: Gijs Coenen, Kim Duchateau, Tom Lambeens*, Lien Paulissen, Charlotte Severeyns, Jenny Stieglitz and Cathy Van Maele,
Digital Experience Design & Immersive Media: Bob Dekkers, Eli Prenten, Piet Seurs, Krista Smeets and Filip Vandeputte
Experiental Design & Branding: Ilse Bollens, Katrien Caris, Els Menten, Wouter Pardeans and Monique Rutten.
Reading Type & Typography: Ann Bessemans*, Marta Guidotti*, , Carl Haase*, Giulio Galli*, Niaz Mirmobini* and Sabina Sieghart*
* MAD Research
For more detailled information, please download the information brochure on this page or contact Katleen Verjans (Katleen.Verjans@PXL.BE), coordinator of Graphic Design