WdKA is the only art college in The Netherlands with an advertising course. As an art director you are a pivotal lynchpin, the link between client and the creative world. You must understand and have insight into and a feeling for all the (subsidiary) fields, be able to communicate with and interest all types of people and have a feeling for marketing and current trends in the arts and society.

Our students work together in creative teams to place large and small brands ‘on the market’. The objective in this respect is to learn to think in broad-based and integrated communication concepts for commercial marketing campaigns that immediately affect consumers.
The curriculum is based on concept development that is strategically supported and aimed at producing eye-catching communication for a wide variety of products, services and brands.

The course starts with a broad basis in visual communication: visual study, idea development, typography and basic skills in the relevant software. Our students learn to analyse, research, develop campaign concepts on the basis of marketing strategy and to present their work convincingly in ‘pitches’. In this respect, they utilise their knowledge of marketing, brand management, design history and new media. Some study assignments are derived from advertising practice, such as the recent campaigns for Sultana from Verkade chocolate, Andrélon shampoo and the Fiat Cinquecento.

In the third year, you can create your own distinct profile and speciality by choosing a specific minor or by taking part in the international exchange programme.

Advertising students do work placements with renowned bureaus in The Netherlands and other countries. Our students regularly win a wide range of prizes and for this reason, developments in WdKA’s Bachelor course Advertising are closely followed by advertising professionals and specialist journals.