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In September 2002 the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague started its post-graduate course in Type and Media, formerly the course in Type Design and Typography. It is a full-time course that gives participants the possibility of delving deeper in type design for different media: not only type for print, but also for film, television, video and the interactive media. Although we live in an increasingly pictorial culture, type design and typography have lost none of their value.

At Type and Media students work intensively for one year in small groups of no more then twelve, under the guidance of expert and enthusiastic teachers from the permanent and visiting faculty. Although the student’s personal motivation is given primary place, working well with other students is of fundamental importance in the plan.

The many facets of type design in relation to typography for the different media are covered in various assignments, both practical and theoretical and in some cases in co-operation with the media industry. Discussions with a number of leading graphic designers with different views provide theoretical depth. The various excursions and conferences, like the yearly conferences of ATypI – Association Typographique Internationale – and Typo Berlin, should also be mentioned in this connection. The postgraduate course also organizes different activities in the field of type, like the two-yearly Gerrit Noordzij Award. Students of the course play an important role in the activities surrounding this Award.

The structure of the course
The postgraduate Type and Media course is a one-year full-time programme. Its schedule can therefore incorporate every day of the week! At the beginning of the course, each student establishes an individual study plan in consultation with the permanent faculty. Because of the international character of the course, it is taught primarily in English. The academic year is divided into two semesters, with the second semester divided in turn into two parts. At the end of the first semester and in the first part of the second, all assignments that have been undertaken are evaluated. In addition to the assignments specific to this course, students can follow the calligraphy and the lettering and type divisions of the regular course in Graphic and Typographic Design. Those subjects distinguish this regular course at the Royal Academy from other academies, both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Individual study space is provided for each student, as well as a fast computer with the latest software installed. Students can also, of course, make use of all the facilities in the academy's various studios and workshops. The course is completed in the last part of the second semester, when the students work individually on their own final projects, guided by their personal interest. An oral review based on their visual presentation marks the end of the course. All teachers – including the visiting faculty – are present during this evaluation. Not only are the final projects reviewed; the students’ other assignments are also discussed, as well as their dedication and the insights they have gained throughout the course. Displays of the results of study are made. Students who complete the course with positive results are awarded with the official postgraduate certificate of the Royal Academy of Art.

Requirements for admission
Anyone wishing to register for the postgraduate Type and Media course is invited to make an appointment with the course supervisor, Jan Willem Stas ( jw.stas@kabk.nl ). Candidates must be graduates of an art or design academy or must have sufficient practical experience. The candidate should present his or her motivation for undertaking this postgraduate course, partly on the basis of a portfolio of work. They should, of course, be fascinated by type design, typography and different media, and be knowledgeable about developments in the field.

Team of teachers
The regular teachers are:
Visiting teachers, attached to the regular course in Graphic Design at the Royal Academy of Art are:
Visiting teachers are: