Technological innovation is becoming an increasingly dynamic factor in determining the outlook of our culture and society. This provides artists and designers with new incentives and it challenges them to explore beyond the boundaries of their own area of expertise. CrossLab is a pan-academy platform for technology and digital media. Its goal is to inspire students from every course and to encourage them to explore, acquire skills in and to develop a personal vision regarding digital media. In other words, high-quality multi-media education that combines and crosses the borders of all creative disciplines. Key words: ‘Eigensinn’ (critical use of digital media); ‘hands-on’ (practical training in how to use technology); innovation (the application of technology to your own work).
CrossLab keeps students ‘up to date’. When you become an artist or designer, you will not only be a user of existing technology, but a creator of new technology in the first place. CrossLab encourages you to exploit technology as a starting point for your work, your artistic development and later career.
CrossLab classes are up to date, cross media, interdisciplinary and directly related to your core subject. You will use various disciplines to work on innovative media projects. The relationships between subjects - thematic cross-overs - are discussed during workshops, the project weeks and the CrossLab optional modules.
In Semester 2, CrossLab provides introductions in digital media that focus on your chosen course of study. CrossLab focuses on practical work: hands on, while 'playing' with digital tools you learn how to make things with digital media.
In Semesters 3 and 4, CrossLab classes are - while retaining their cross media, interdisciplinary character - focused more specifically at your core study . You will explore and experience the possibilities of digital media for your own specialist area and the changes that digital media are bringing about in the professional field you have chosen and in the way people think about art and design professions.
In Semesters 5 and 6, you can deepen or broaden your knowledge of digital media by taking the minor CrossLab. With this programme, you continue the development that you started in previous years in the CrossLab. This minor is based on close cooperation with professional practice, which means that you will be able to work on a large variety of practical projects. CrossLab will familiarise you with different facets of media design, if possible based on topical, practical assignments.
CrossLab is also a media laboratory, situated on the second ‘infill floor’ in the centre of WdKA. It is a workshop and research and development laboratory equipped with top-quality technological facilities. From this location, CrossLab provides access to information, knowledge and expertise for all WdKA's departments. This is also where the CrossLab lunch events, lectures and workshops take place.
To get engulfed by the day tot day activities of CrossLab have a look at the CrossLab Blog.
