Swiss Graphic Design and Typography Revisited
Four positions for doctoral candidates
The collaborative research project “Swiss Graphic Design and Typography Revisited” starts October 2016. This three years collaboration is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in the framework of the Sinergia program. It combines researchers from seven institutions: Academy of Art and Design Basel (FHNW HGK), Bern University of the Arts (HKB), Institute of Art History at University of Bern (UniBe), Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL), Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD – Genève) and University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI).
The research team is inviting applications for four positions for doctoral candidates from 1.10.2016 for three years. The positions are part of the project. Payment will be based on the SNSF salary scales for doctoral candidates.
Keywords
Historiography, Design Dissemination, Art history, International Style, Swiss Style, Design Practice, Graphic Design, Design Education, Typography, Switzerland
Announcement
Four PhD positions for doctoral candidates:
• beginning: 01.10.2016 or upon agreement
• duration: three years
• degree of activity: 100%
• work positions: Basel, Bern or Zurich (according to position)
• announcement of 07.03.2016, until 06.4.2016
Description
The project “Swiss Graphic Design and Typography Revisited” is divided into three sub-projects: “Principles of Education”, “Networks of Practice” and “Strategies of Dissemination” each consisting of three case studies.
The four positions offered in this announcement are focusing on the following cases:
1. “Transformations: Adapting and Revising Educational Models” (at FHNW HGK, Basel;
main project “Principles of Education” based at FHNW HGK)
2. “Scenes: Crossing the Borders of Graphic Design” (at HKB Bern/UniBe University of
Bern/GSA Graduate School of the Arts; main project “Networks of Practice” based at
ZHdK Zurich)
3. “Practitioners’ Histories: Between Self-Promotion, Practice and Education” (at
HKB/UniBe/GSA; main project “Strategies of Dissemination” is based at UniBe)
4. “Exhibitions: Curating Switzerland as a Graphic Design Nation” (at UniBe/HKB/GSA; main
project “Strategies of Dissemination” is based at UniBe)
The research plan including the above-mentioned case studies is available upon request (see Contact, below).
The institutions offer a research framework flexible and dynamic, an extremely committed research group, the possibility of continuous exchange with other researchers, based on a network of experts, in Switzerland and abroad, involved in the project.
The successful candidates are expected:
• to affiliate with and work regularly at the institutions named above;
• to participate actively and regularly in the exchange and meetings of the sub-project
members as well as the overall project members;
• to support the project by providing and discussing data and findings;
• to contribute to the project’s website, as well as to a comprehensive publication with contributions from all three sub-projects and nine case studies in English language;
• to publish articles in selected international specialist journals (at least one article per case study);
• to stay and work with archives in Switzerland and abroad;
• to assist the co-applicants and management group with organizing scientific events.
Qualifications
The four positions are addressed to people who obtained a M.A. in history of design, history of arts, history, as well as design, visual communication, art direction, insofar the degree formally entitles the applicant to embark on a doctorate.
The following are the requested skills:
• knowledge of and interest in the contemporary international discourse on graphic design history;
• knowledge of and interest in the historical discourse on Swiss graphic design with a focus on the twentieth century;
• knowledge of and interest in historiography as methodology and historical theory;
• good knowledge of English language and editing for both academic and journalistic texts;
• good passive understanding of German and/or French written texts;
• capacity of managing graphic outlines in the Indesign environment is not mandatory but welcome;
• experience in graphic design practice is not mandatory but welcome.
Salary
Salaries will be based on the Salary scales for doctoral candidates provided by the SNSF (see http://www.snf.ch/SiteCollectionDocuments/allg_doktorierende_e.pdf).

Modality of Applications
• The deadline for application is 06.04.2016.
• The complete application file (cover letter, CV, copies of work and study certificates, one- page motivation letter, publications list) must be uploaded online at the following URL: http://lcvform.supsi.ch/form/view.php?id=47140
• Applications sent via post, e-mail, or uploaded after the deadline (midnight of 06.04.2016, CEST) will not be assessed, neither will incomplete applications.
• Questions concerning these positions can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Arne Scheuermann: [log in to unmask]
• Please mind that the three PhD candidates affiliated to the GSA Graduate School of the Arts, Bern also have to successfully apply at the GSA: http://www.gsa.unibe.ch/bewerbung/anmeldung_und_termine/
Assessment of applications
Prof. Dr Arne Scheuermann (main applicant, Bern University of the Arts) Prof. Michael Renner (co-applicant, FHNW HGK Basel)
Prof. Dr Sarah Owens (co-applicant, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste) Prof. Dr Peter J. Schneemann (co-applicant, University of Bern)
Prof. Robert Lzicar (co-coordinator, Bern University of the Arts) Dr. Davide Fornari (co-coordinator, SUPSI)
Interviews will be held in April and May.
Contact
Davide Fornari, co-coordinator, [log in to unmask]
https://www.bfh.ch/index.php?id=354&no_cache=1&sid=1.1406050.1280537&L=2
Davide Fornari, Ph.D.
teacher researcher
Campus Trevano
CH-6952 Canobbio
Switzerland
T +41 (0)58 666 62 85
F +41 (0)58 666 63 09
[log in to unmask]
www.lcv.supsi.ch
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