Educational Projects The Immersive Arts Space will offer two minors as part of the university-wide major-minor programme from September 2024: The Immersive Arts Space Basic Minor and the Immersive Arts Advanced Minor. The diverse modules are aimed at students who wish to develop immersive projects using technical and/or computer-generated means.
- Immersive Arts Basic Minor – Discover the World of Immersive Arts
- Immersive Arts Advanced Minor – Where Creativity meets Cutting-Edge Technology
Until spring semester 2024, the Immersive Arts Space offered two teaching formats: The Public Lecture Series, a series of lectures with international guests, and several hands-on seminars, such as the Immersive Arts Practices, the former Z-modules that generate immersive landscapes or projection mapping on flying objects, and much more. To have a look at these past courses, check out the Edu Archive.
Immersive Arts Basic Minor – Discover the World of Immersive Arts
Step into the exciting intersection of art, technology and design with the Immersive Arts Basic Minor. This programme gives you the tools to explore immersive media and develop group projects in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
What to Expect
Under the lead and mentorship of the research members of the Immersive Arts Space BA & MA students will create multi-sensory experiences that dissolve the boundaries between art making and technology.
In the first round on Friday afternoons, you will get to know the other participants, their artistic backgrounds and sketch out initial ideas for your projects. There will be input on brainstorming, observation methods and project management. You will also receive initial technical input and small practice assignments.
The first round of block-weeks will immerse you in the technical possibilities of the Immersive Arts Space and provide you with basic technical skills in tracking technology, volumetric capture, digital avatars, projection mapping, spatial augmented reality, lighting control and spatial (with ambisonic) and binaural audio. Short workshops are followed by periods of individual development, alternating with group tutorials and mentored learning.
This knowledge forms the basis for the second block week in the spring semester. The focus here is on project realisation: In the first week – outside the Immersive Arts Space – the project ideas are refined in terms of theme, scope and approach, and a concrete production plan and distribution of tasks are drawn up. This is followed by the actual implementation phase, where the skills learned are put into practice. In the last week, the projects are finalised and completed. The teams determine the appropriate medium for expressing their ideas, so that an audience can experience and interact with the project in a meaningful way.
In the final module, participants learn the essential skills for presenting their creative work outside the ZHdK. Students will learn how to document projects with high quality images and videos, develop detailed technical riders for exhibitions and/or performances, write research papers, prepare applications for open calls for festivals and residencies, and apply for grants. Through theoretical input and practical workshops, students will learn how to navigate professional opportunities in the creative industries.
Why Choose this Minor?
The Immersive Arts minor provides a solid foundation in immersive media, preparing you to push creative boundaries at the intersection of art and technology. Whether you’re an artist, designer or technologist, this is your chance to expand your skills and shape the future of immersive storytelling. Feel free to contact Stella Speziali with your questions. For administrative inquiries, please contact Joëlle Kost.
Your Mentors:
Martin Fröhlich: Senior researcher / projection mapping
Eric Larrieux: 3D audio / interactive audio
Christopher Salter: Direction / Concepts / Methods
Stella Speziali: Projection mapping / visual concepts
Corinne Soland: Motion capture coach
Sébastien Schiesser: Space technician
Immersive Arts Advanced Minor – Where Creativity meets Cutting-Edge Technology
Are you ready to push the boundaries of art, technology and design? The Immersive Arts Advanced Minor is a hands-on course for students who want to explore immersive technologies in a dynamic, project-based studio environment. Collaborate with like-minded students and peers to create interactive experiences.
What to Expect
Over the course of six intensive block weeks, you will take part in applied workshops, research-driven experiments and mentoring sessions, all designed to develop your technical skills and conceptual thinking.
- Work on an interdisciplinary group project, starting with individual ideas and developing into collaborative work under expert mentorship.
- Experience a real-world environment, working outside the IAS but using its resources for experiments and specific project phases.
- Participate in applied workshops during the six block-weeks based on current research topics at the Immersive Arts Space (IAS), giving you exclusive insights into the future of immersive technologies. The HS25/FS26 edition will focus on Mixed Reality, AI and Machine Learning, inspired by the SNSF research projects XR Futures and Performing Artificial Intelligence.
- Enjoy more flexible Friday afternoons for self-study, mentoring sessions, guest lectures and excursions.
Learn from Experts
Led by Oliver Sahli (game designer specialising in mixed reality and performative aspects of games) and Florian Bruggisser (researcher in machine learning, computer vision and spatial installations), the program is also supported by guest lecturers who provide deeper perspectives on emerging technologies and creative methodologies.
Who should Apply?
This minor is perfect for students with experience in game engines, computer audio, interactive software or programming – but even if you’re new to these fields, a strong willingness to learn is all you need. If you have already taken courses such as Immersive Arts Basics, Virtual Production, Digital Play or Experience Design, you will be fully equipped.
To apply, please submit a short half-page project outline outlining your interests. This will help us match you with the right group and refine your project direction. Not sure if this is the right minor for you? Feel free to contact Oliver or Florian with your questions. For administrative questions, please contact Joëlle Kost.