The launch of the BA programme in Graphic Design at the Visual Arts Institute in Eger in 2017 further enhances the process that was initiated by the start of the MA in Graphic Design in 2013. The well-acclaimed programmes in education and art-mediation have been thus complemented by a full-time training in applied arts, further broadening the wide educational range of visual culture at Eszterházy Károly University.
Due to the rapid technological and perceptual changes and the constantly changing richness of form and method in the visual life of the present era, a continuous dialogue between different ideas, experiments and schools has come about. This situation does not leave art education untouched, and the teachers and students of the department must preserve their willingness for innovation in this environment, fitting the courage of experimentation with professional integrity. The most important goal is that the department’s students do not only acquire comprehensive knowledge of contemporary visuality ─ thus becoming media literate and media-conscious professionals –, but that they will be able to give autonomous, mature responses of artistic quality to the challenges of not only the present, but the yet unpredictable changes of the future.
In the BA training of the Media and Design Department, students earn solid professional foundations in the specific fields of graphic design, web design or animation design. Students acquire theoretical and technological knowledge related to general visual issues, which can be further developed in the Master’s program based on the BA training, and generate a mature, autonomous designer attitude.
The focus of our BA training is to establish the position of the students in the market, while providing them the opportunity for further education. After completing the training, and acquiring the respective technical knowledge, our graduates are able to produce print or multimedia works, and design graphics, visuals, illustrations, create 2D and 3D animations and graphics. They also obtain the ability to design and develop websites, applications, various graphic and animation solutions for economic operators with an artistic sense and creativity.
Our MA graduates, as graphic artists, can be involved in design and realisation processes on a high level and become qualified for managing them. We aim to establish the autonomous, creative attitude of our students that enables them to deal with the challenges of our time independently. They must have solid professional foundations and methods in graphic design and its associated fields. We also consider it important to develop experimental behaviour and create creative responsibility and a lifelong research attitude.
Ever since the digital turn, one of the main questions of education has been whether knowledge, which is provided by classical mechanisms of knowledge can remain relevant and up-to-date, especially in a field that is subjected to constant change. To tackle this issue, numerous experiments, methods and syllabi were created, but there are areas which are especially affected, and where change is so constant and actual that the discipline shall be completely re-invented. Various theories and methods all agree that the basics shall be definitely altered. In the 21st century education shall pride itself on being open, honest, flexible and offering the continuous improvement of learning skills. In addition, it is also essential to focus on endless development, since – apart from acquiring basic systems of knowledge – this ability is needed the most in the future. All around the world creativity, the skill to be able to provide diverse responses to questions, and a curious, exploring attitude have become invaluable within the realms of education. In relation to art education this intention has been present for a while, but it became even more essential in the realms of graphic design.
Ever since its appearance, graphic design is strongly connected to society, yet, it is not only adapted to social needs and requirements. It is often commendable, educational, helpful, and formative, while also orientating. Due to the close cooperation with other realms and disciplines, we also have to be able to become clairvoyants to some degree, which is not a small challenge. This intention, which has developed in the past decades required new, creative perspectives, and brought forth new educational guidelines. The old, traditional graphic design methods, which were built upon classic art education, and generated by marketability have transformed all around the world. The bases of our profession have changed drastically in the past decades – and the key word is again: change. Also: flexibility, signalling the ability to adapt and react swiftly and creatively. The need for creativity brought forth the priority of enquiry, the unstoppable curiosity for individual solutions. The open-mindedness and playfulness had an enriching effect on the various classic and new genres and media platforms of the discipline.
In order to preserve its relevance and authenticity, in the past decades education had to find new directions, which were guided by swift and constant technological shifts, and then in the past years by environmental and social problems.
2020 made us face with an unexpected situation, which required extreme flexibility from all of us. The notion of pandemics became an all-encompassing experience, before we even got used to its existence; it drastically upended our lives. Everything was re-defined, maybe only for months or years, but it is also possible that the pandemic is the herald of an unknown new world. It is highly challenging to reflect on these circumstances, but as an academic and artist it is unavoidable to do so. All knowledge gathered in the field of tackling situations flexibly and solving problems creatively was applied to reality. It was a great joy to experience the high quality of education, and the talent of the students, whose diploma pieces were not affected by any of the hardships. I am convinced that there have been difficulties and problems, but the competence and adaptability of this year’s graduates is exemplary, which proves their expertise, and their potential and promise that they will prove themselves as active, competent, sensitive, responsible graphic designers, who will find their places in this challenging world to come.
Dóra Balla
The author is a habilitated associate
Professor and graphic design artist.