School of Design and Crafts

The School of Design and Crafts is usually called HDK, an abbreviation of the Swedish name. We are more than 160 years old and are rooted in a long tradition, at the same time as we are constantly developing. At HDK future designers, craftsmen, artists, teachers in visual arts and sloyd gather in the same building as doctoral students and researchers.HDK is a part of the University of Gothenburg, one of the major Universities in Europe and Sweden's first Faculty of Fine Applied and Performing Arts.On July 1 2012 the new HDK - School of Design and Crafts was created when Steneby - the School of Craft and Design in the city of Dals Långed merged with HDK in Gothenburg. The HDK Design Programmes are unique in the Nordic countries with their open structure, making it possible for different competences and cultures to co-operate. The base of Applied Arts is the practical, artistic work. Using this base we have theory and discussions within Jewellery Art and Design, Textile Art and Ceramic Art. Through Visual Arts and Sloyd, two Teacher's Training Programmes, we contribute to further development of the field for coming teachers in Visual Art and Sloyd. HDK is also part of Sweden's only Research School based on artistic ground.The characteristic HDK student is curious, has artistic talent and the courage to question. At HDK they are encouraged to combine creativity with responsibility, the will to conquer professional skills and to combine them with social commitment. They are also given the chance to deepen their knowledge and at the same time get an understanding of complex entireties.