Institutions of the University of Fine Arts Münster

In the wood workshop, students learn about the properties of different types of wood and wood-based materials such as chipboard, MDF or plywood. They also learn which material is suitable for different applications and how to work wood with hand tools or with modern woodworking machines. For this purpose, students have access to an extensive selection of hand tools as well as modern machinery, including CNC milling machines. They also learn surface treatment with oils, wax or lacquers.

The ceramics and mould making workshops are closely linked.

The ceramics workshop provides the opportunity to work with different materials such as stoneware and porcelain, and thus various construction techniques with sculptural materials or serial production using the hand-casting method. Various firing processes and an introduction to glaze theory can be further learned and explored experimentally.

The affiliated mould making workshop deals mainly with plaster as a material. By making negative moulds, a positive can be moulded afterwards, e.g. with ceramic material, and created serially in this way. Furthermore, basic plaster moulding and impression techniques are taught so that students can use the material not only in mould making, but also as a direct material for a sculpture.

The workshop for synthetic materials and mould making offers students the opportunity to realise projects from a wide variety of materials in almost all sizes. Basic techniques can be learned, such as the building of moulds and stabilising constructions, fibreglass laminate and solid casting. It is also taught how to handle the required materials safely and professionally. Depending on the application, a variety of materials such as silicone, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane and acrylic resins can be used.

In the metal workshop, students can learn various manual and mechanical techniques for metalworking so that they can later use them themselves. Various hand tools, a welding cabin, a forge and professional machinery, among other things, are available for this purpose. The properties of different metals and metal construction objects are taught as well. Whether sculptures made of scrap iron, kinetic art machines or auxiliary constructions for other media – the range of artistic-technical work in the metal workshop is multifaceted.

Technology for image and sound recording is developing at ever shorter intervals today, which means that the artistic possibilities for expression in the field of new media are also growing continuously.

The Workshop for Film, Video and New Media offers students almost all technical possibilities for artistic development. Therefore, the aim of teaching, among other things, is to support students in making a reflective choice of the medium suitable for their work from the abundance of technically available offers. For the production and final presentation, a wide range of digital cameras as well as lighting and sound equipment is available, with which almost anything can be realised, from very small projects to cinema films.

In addition to classic video works or narrative short and long films, students also experiment with new formats such as VR (virtual reality), mixed/augmented reality or 360° video. However, it is also still possible to work with analogue 8mm and 16mm film. The Workshop’s offer is enhanced by specialised lecturers who offer courses on various topics such as animation, film design, VR or analogue film.

In addition to technical equipment, a special focus is on the planning, implementation and finalisation of individual projects. For this purpose, the workshop has its own film studio, five post-production workstations consisting of four editing rooms and a sound studio. A colour grading workstation is planned to be set up in 2023. There are also plans either to convert the film studio into a virtual production studio or to make the possibilities of this new technology available to students for their work in the film studio this year.

After successful participation in relevant courses and introductions, students can independently use the respective workstations and the film studio.

The photo workshop offers a wide range of courses to impart knowledge and application possibilities of digital and analogue photography. Everything is possible, from simple shots with self-made pinhole cameras to the latest digital composing techniques.

The photo workshop has a digital computer room, a large photo studio, an analogue photo lab and daylight rooms for further processing of photographic works. Both the digital and the analogue equipment in the photo area is state-of-the-art and is continuously being further developed.

Students may use the workshop rooms and equipment for their free project work. Cameras as well as a wide range of accessories can be borrowed at the photo counter. Students at the University of Fine Arts Münster thus have the opportunity to realise photographic art at the highest level.

In the painting technique workshop, students learn basic craft skills such as building a frame, stretching canvases or various priming techniques. It is also taught how to safely and professionally handle required chemicals such as solvents. The specific properties of different painting surfaces and different colours (e.g. oil paints, acrylic paints, varnishes) are also part of the teaching content, as is making one’s own colours.

The etching workshop provides extensive opportunities for work and experimentation. An introductory course teaches basic techniques and knowledge that are prerequisites for working freely in the workshop. Common intaglio printing (drypoint, line etching, aquatint, vernis mou) can be learned, as can, on request, letterpress printing (linocut and woodcut). In addition to the courses offered, supervision of artistic projects and advice on their technical feasibility is also possible.

The workshop has three printing presses available for etching (roller length 75 cm and 2 x 42 cm) plus a combination press (70 cm) for etching and woodcut/linocut.

In the workshop for screen and digital printing, students can learn everything about the corresponding techniques in the courses offered and realise their own artistic projects,

using state-of-the-art mechanical equipment. The workshop offers a wide range of printing application possibilities and has digital workstations for pre-press, a 2-colour risograph printer as well as machines and equipment for bookbinding finishing.

The digital art studio offers a diverse portfolio that serves the acquisition of artistic-technical skills.

Artistic-technical media education is taught as a cross-media field including aspects of artistic research, art theory, media theory and practice. The aim is to develop independent artistic and experimental capacities and to acquire knowledge and skills in an exploratory way in order to develop and shape new media-artistic qualities. This is done in different formats.

Artistic and technical methods and skills are taught in seminars, practical classes, project courses and workshops. There are both group and individual artistic-technical lessons. The offers differentiate between basic and advanced courses. After completing the relevant courses, students can work independently in the studio and develop their own projects.

The content taught at the digital art studio includes, among others, Adobe Photoshop for beginners, website design, typography, layout, audio seminars, crossover seminars, Cinema 3D visualisation, film seminars, radio play production, comparative media theory, applied media history and much more.