Visual artist HF (formerly designer HF visual arts): What does everyday working life look like?

Visual artists create works of art that are visually, emotionally and/or intellectually appealing, for example drawings, paintings, sculptures, pictures, videos, performances or installations.

Visual artists are self-employed or employed. They work alone or as part of a collective in a studio/office and/or outdoors. Their day-to-day work takes the form of a variety of commissions, for example for public or private institutions, organizations and events, but also in the form of projects on their own initiative. In some cases, they also work temporarily on film and video productions or stage sets.
They spend a lot of time developing creative ideas. To do this, they engage intensively with themselves, culture and society. Once they have an idea, they select the appropriate technique (sculpture, painting, video, etc.) and check the feasibility of the project; this also includes calculating the costs, for example for the materials required (paints, clay, brushes, canvases, software, etc.). The project is then realized in the studio.
To this end, they are in close contact with other artists, curators, gallery owners, art critics, collectors, art mediators and technicians.

In addition to networking, visual artists are also responsible for self-promotion (marketing). They create their own website and online portfolio, take part in competitions, exhibitions and trade fairs and are active on social media. Finally, they are responsible for the entire administration and finances.

In order to finance their work, they often have to make use of public and/or private funding. They also often take on a second job to make ends meet, for example as a teacher or as an employee in the entertainment, arts and culture sector.

Target group, personal characteristics and skills: Who is the HF course "Visual artist HF" (formerly designer HF visual arts) suitable for?

Are you passionately creative? Are you fascinated by the different ways (e.g. sculpture, building, painting, photography, performance, installation) of expressing your creativity artistically? Do you want to inspire people to feel and think with your work? Are you open and interested in new design techniques and technologies? Do you like being your own boss and appreciate the freedom - but are you also aware of the great responsibility and risks involved? Are you also a team player and able to develop and execute projects as part of a collective? Are you self-confident, think ahead and can therefore keep a clear head even in difficult times, for example when the financial pressure is very high because public and private funding may not materialize?
If you were able to answer the majority of these questions with "Yes", then you most likely belong to the target group of the HF degree program "Visual Artist HF" (formerly Designer HF Visual Arts).

The Fine Arts degree program is aimed at people, preferably from the artistic and creative field, who are interested in training that will not only increase their career and salary prospects, but also open doors to further education and training opportunities at the next level.

(Prospective) visual artists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Craftsmanship
• Creative talent
• Creativity
• A good sense of proportion
• Sense for colors, shapes and aesthetics
• Spatial imagination
• Organizational skills
• Stamina
• Sense of responsibility
• Reliability
• Ability to work in a team
• Social competence
• Good communication skills
• Self-confidence
• Independence
• Willingness to work irregular hours

Requirements for admission to a fine arts course at a higher technical college:

In order to be admitted to the course "Visual Artist HF" (formerly Designer HF Visual Arts), you must generally* meet the following admission requirements.

• Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) in a relevant profession, for example photographer EFZ, graphic designer EFZ, florist EFZ, ceramist EFZ, carpenter EFZ. A list of the relevant EFZs can be found in the framework curriculum, whichherecan be called up.

Or

• Federal certificate of proficiency in another profession or other qualification at upper secondary level (technical or grammar school leaving certificate, technical secondary school certificate or equivalent qualification).

And

• Passed aptitude test / entrance examination (the exact nature and procedure of this is decided independently by the schools; there may therefore be differences. In most cases, an application dossier with CV and letter of motivation must be submitted in advance, followed by a personal interview and aptitude test).
• 50% employment in the department (for part-time studies). In the full-time course, work experience or the transfer from specialist training to practice is regulated via internships integrated into the course.

In addition:

• Professional experience in the design field is an advantage.
• Pre-course in design is recommended depending on the school. You can find an overview of suitable courses and providers in the answers.
• Depending on this, educational achievements that have already been completed may be credited; please contact the school of your choice straight away.

* The universities of applied sciences (HF) decide independently on the admission procedure. There may therefore be differences between the providers. The admission procedure is set out in the study regulations of the respective HF. It must comply with the relevant legal requirements. More information on this can be found in the answers.

Subject matter and content of the training

The following learning content and topics are covered in a "Visual Artist HF" course (formerly "Designer HF Visual Arts") at a university of applied sciences:

• Contemporary culture
• Art history
• Culture and society
• Camera and light
• Drawing
• Digital and screen printing
• Working with 3D
• Image editing programs (Photoshop etc.)
• Marketing and communication

This is not a complete list*.

* Although the universities of applied sciences follow the "Fine Arts" framework curriculum when designing their fine arts training courses, they have a certain amount of leeway when designing their continuing education programs. Which learning content is ultimately covered or how it is structured and deepened can therefore vary from HF to HF. Behind the framework curriculum is a sponsoring body, which is responsible for its creation and also periodically checks it for topicality and quality. The sponsoring body is made up of the organizations of the world of work (OdA), theVisarte Switzerlandandswissceramicsas well as the representatives of the education providers, namely the Directors' Conference of Swiss Design Schools and Swiss Design Schools.

Costs and financing of further training

For the 2-3-year part-time or full-time course "Visual Artist HF" (formerly known as Designer HF Visual Arts), you should expect to pay the following costs:

• Tuition fees:The semester fee depends on the school and your place of residence/canton. Students residing in the canton where they are studying can expect to pay an average of around CHF 7,000 per semester*.
• Other extra costs:At some schools, you will have to expect additional costs for the fine arts course, for example for books, teaching materials, external study days, workshops and/or the thesis. The school of your choice will be happy to provide you with detailed information.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported (subsidized) by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following requirements apply in order to receive cantonal subsidies:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).

The cantonal subsidies are usually regulated by the school; these subsidies are usually already included in the tuition fees stated by the schools.

Duration of study, number of learning hours, forms of learning, teaching times, teaching format and learning effort

• Duration of study:The fine arts course at a higher technical college can be completed both part-time and full-time; it takes 3 years part-time and 2 years full-time.
• Number of learning hours:The training course comprises 5400 learning hours without a relevant EFZ and 3600 learning hours with a relevant federal certificate of proficiency.
• Forms of learning:The learning hours are divided between "contact studies" (including traditional classroom teaching, studio), "guided self-study" (including exercises, research assignments, reading assignments), "individual self-study" (including preparation and follow-up work, independent studio work), practical work (50% professional activity in part-time studies), internships (for full-time studies) and the qualification procedure (QV) (including semester examinations, diploma theses)
• Lesson times:The teaching times for the "Visual Artist HF" course (formerly "Designer HF Visual Arts") are determined independently by the schools; they can therefore vary from school to school. In a part-time course, lessons usually take place on a full working day or two evenings per week, sometimes also on Saturdays. In full-time studies, classes are usually held daily.
• Teaching format:Classes are usually held on site.
• Learning effort:You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take advantage of this opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

There are various performance assessments during the Fine Arts degree course. The exact nature of these is decided independently by the respective university of applied sciences (HF). For example, semester or interim examinations can be carried out or independent work must be written and presented, which is then graded. The grades for these qualification achievements are then incorporated directly into the final grades.

If you meet all the previous qualifications, you will be admitted to the final QV. This consists of a practice-oriented diploma thesis and oral or written examinations.

The details of implementation are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations.

Diploma and title

Graduates of fine arts training at a university of applied sciences receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "dipl. Bildende Künstlerin HF / dipl. Bildender Künstler HF".

In French: "Designer diplômée ES en arts visuels / Designer diplômé ES en arts visuels"

In Italian: "Designer dipl. SSS in arti visive / Designer dipl. SSS in arti visive"

The recommended translation in English is as follows: "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Fine Arts". This is not a protected title.