International department of the ZHdK –
Zurich University of the Arts

Arts and design know no national or geographical boundaries. The ZHdK offers student exchanges with its partner universities and supports a variety of international projects, programs and initiatives. ZHdK students can study abroad for one or two semesters as part of an exchange program. The ZHdK, in turn, offers international students the opportunity for an exchange or full-time study in Zurich. The “International Department” organizes and coordinates this international cooperation.

We have designed a new look for the “International Department”, which is inspired by natural phenomena and deals with natural forces, in line with our focus – Biophilic Design, so-called nature-inspired design. The migration of living things and the constant action of natural elements such as ocean currents and winds are the basis for life on earth and embody the interconnectedness of all parts of the world. We use the design concept to show the beauty of exchange and interconnectedness, completely free of politics and national borders.

www.zhdk.ch/international

Trade winds are constant air currents around the globe. They are elementary for our planet and are responsible for rainy and dry seasons. They connect all continents and regions of the world and are united in an overall system.

The global ocean currents, which transport the water masses in the oceans around the globe, are of great importance. They connect the world’s oceans with each other and thus ensure the transport of matter and energy in the oceans. Ocean currents transport warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles to the equator. Like the winds in the atmosphere, they thus ensure global temperature equilibrium.

Another design element is a grid reminiscent of geographic coordinates. This is also a system that is used worldwide and has a unifying effect.

Nature shows us that we are all connected. To bring the systems back into harmony and in the last consequence to survive, we have to think globally. The movement, poetry and also lightness of these forces that hold the earth together was the inspiration for the present appearance.