Collaboration

Kolding School of Design is a seasoned partner and works with a wide range of external partners both in teaching projects and in development and research projects. We also mediate collaborations with design students and fully qualified designers.
Research and Development

Project collaboration

For several years, Kolding School of Design has worked closely with public and private companies and organisations to develop products, methods and services.

The school would like to open its doors to even more partners who can help raise awareness of – and not least experience – how design processes and user-centered design can make a difference in companies and organisations.

Process and content
We often divide development projects into phases. In the initial phases, we are focused on what is, i.e. the context, and the knowledge that exists in the area, and the people involved/the users. In the final stages, we focus on the future – what can be or what can become. We translate the insights from the processes into actual manifestations in the world. It can be strategies, but also concrete design in materials, colour, tactility, sound, smell etc. We can concretize abstract needs and concepts, give them shape and put them to practical use.

Research collaboration

Companies and organisations can enter into a research collaboration with Kolding School of Design and gain access to – and help create – the latest research-based knowledge in design.

In the field of research, there are many different forms of collaboration and funding. These can be adapted to the specific needs of the company.

Forms of collaboration:

  • Commissioned research – The company engages one or more researchers for a specific project.
  • Co-financed research – Together with Kolding School of Design, the company enters into national or international collaborative projects, e.g. PhD projects.
  • Industrial PhD – the Industrial PhD scheme is a special subsidy programme for companies that may apply for a grant for a three-year business-oriented PhD project through the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education. The company employs an Industrial PhD student who is also enrolled at Kolding School of Design.
“Three laboratories in one development department bring together the school's collaborations. Here, a team of professional designers works together with companies and organizations to make a difference with design and design methods.”

Contact

LAB for Sustainability and Design, LAB for Play Design, LAB for Social Design, Rectorat
Lene Nyhus Friis
Project Director and Head of LAB for Play Design, LAB for Social Design and LAB for Sustainability and Design
DigiHub

DigiHub: Bridging people and technology

Through national digitalisation funding opportunities for the companies in the industry, Kolding School of Design has established a digital design hub, DigiHub. Here we help small and medium-sized businesses develop new digital services and products.

Skilled designers have insights into both digital and technological subject areas and with design thinking, craft and creativity they can be part of a fruitful collaboration with a number of other disciplines.

For every project, we team up student workers with senior designers. By following a process that is holistic, iterative and human-centred we help technological companies:

  • Understand the needs of their target users.
  • Co-create and test concepts.
  • Develop user-friendly digital products and service prototypes.
  • Introduce their products and services to new markets.

Through meaningful collaborations in these developmental projects, we aim to build relationships with the industry and bring new knowledge into the institution to better educate and prepare design students for the job market after they graduate.

339 × 218 px  
155.236 byte  
RGB 
PNG DigiHub. 2018-2019

Selected DigiHub Projects

See more projects

The sound of DigiHub

How do you work with design and design thinking in companies and transform challenges into possibilities? What role does design play when you want to develop digital solutions? How do you get your hands on a design student?

It's all good questions and good answers in this podcast series with DigiHub representatives Andreas Stær van der Merwede, Esben Rahbek, Matilda Blomgren and Nina Prochniewska along with Innovation Consultant Lars Mathiesen from DigitalLead.

The series is produced by Jesper Lunau from Erhvervshus Sydjylland.

Please note: Episode 1 and 2 is in Danish, episode 3 is in English.

Contact

Studios
Alain Villa Monteiro
AV-manager | Workshop Manager - Foto, Digital Printing
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Alexandra Harder Lindek
PhD student, Lab for Sustainability and Design
Studios
Ana Catarina Cabral
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - 3D Print
Continuing education
Andrea Pedersen
Project Assistant
Study Administration
Anja Junge Taudal Dyngby
Study Administrative Employee
LAB for Play Design
Anne-Lene Sand
Associate Professor, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Social Design
Anne Katrine G. Gelting
Teaching Associate Professor, Lab for Social Design
Studios
Anne Mette Fosgrau
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - small 3D Form
Study Administration
Anette Flinck
International Relations Manager
Accounting and project management
Anni Patrzalek
Payroll Assistant
LAB for Play Design
Ask Fogsgaard
Research Assistant, LAB for Play Design
August Rizzi
Studieambassadør, medlem af DSR og repræsentant i bestyrelsen
Service
Azadeh Zirah
Service Assistant
LAB for Play Design
Barnabas Wetton
Teaching Associate Professor, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Play Design
Brian Jørgensen
Teaching Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Social Design
Canan Akoglu
Associate Professor, Head of Design for People Programme (MA), Lab for Social Design
medarbejderfoto
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Cathryn Anneka Hall
Postdoc, Lab for Sustainability and Design
LAB for Play Design
Cecilie Ann Alveniz Blicher
PhD Student, LAB for Play Design
Accounting and project management
Christina Marie Andreassen
Controller
Management secretariat
Christina Stind Rosendahl
Quality Coordinator | Secretary of Research
LAB for Social Design
Christel Arnevik
Teaching Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Fashion (BA), Lab for Social Design
Career Workshop, Service
Elisabeth Lehner
Reception I Administration I Career Lab
LAB for Play Design
Emilie Bech Jespersen
PhD Student, LAB for Play Design
Study Administration
Esther Fuchs
Student Counsellor and Study Administrative Employee
Rectorat
Eva Kappel
Head of Education
LAB for Play Design
Francesco Aloisio
Research Assistant, LAB for Play Design
Study Administration
Francis Von
Office Trainee
Service
Gitte Hviid
Reception I Administration
Board of directors
Hans Christian Asmussen
Bestyrelsesmedlem, ejer af NATION
Helena Kiær Troelsen
Studenterambassadør KA, Design for Planet
Accounting and project management
Helle Aarøe Nissen
Funding Adviser
LAB for Play Design
Helle Graabæk
Teaching Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Textile Design,LAB for Play Design
Accounting and project management
Helle Lauritsen
Accounts Officer
LAB for Play Design
Helle Marie Skovbjerg
Professor, LAB for Play Design
Studios
Iben Høj
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - Knit
Studios
Jakob Bladt Jensen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - 3D Form
LAB for Social Design
Jannik Seidelin
Honorary Professor, Lab for Social Design
LAB for Play Design
Jennifer Ann Skriver
Postdoc, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Play Design
Jesper Falck Legaard
Associate Professor, LAB for Play Design
Studios
Jesper Hildebrandt Andersen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - 3D Form
LAB for Play Design
Jess Uhre Rahbek
Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design
Career Workshop, Study Administration
Jette Ladegaard Garnæs
Head of Study Administration
LAB for Social Design
Joan Pedersen
Teaching Associate Professor, Lab for Social Design
Accounting and project management
Jytte Susanne Møller
LAB for Play Design
Karen Feder
Associate Professor, Programme Manager of LAB for Play Design (MA), LAB for Play Design
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Karen Marie Hasling
Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Design for Planet (MA), Lab for Sustainability and Design
Study Administration
Karina Sørensen
Study Administrative Employee
LAB for Play Design
Karl Alexander Sejrup
Teaching Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design
Board of directors
Karsten Uno Petersen
Bestyrelsessuppleant, regionsrådsmedlem, Region Syddanmark
LAB for Social Design
Kathrina Dankl
Associate Professor, Lab for Social Design
Cantine
Kathrine Dissing
Kitchen Manager
Continuing education
Kerstin Bro Egelund
Special Consultant | Head of Continuing Education
Accounting and project management
Kirsten Grønne
Accounts Officer
Accounting and project management
Kirsten Pedersen
Project Coordinator
Studios
Kristine Boesen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - Loom
LAB for Social Design
Laila Grøn Truelsen
Teaching Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Communication Design (BA), Lab for Social Design
LAB for Sustainability and Design, LAB for Play Design, LAB for Social Design, Rectorat
Lene Nyhus Friis
Project Director and Head of LAB for Play Design, LAB for Social Design and LAB for Sustainability and Design
LAB for Social Design
Line Gad Christiansen
Assistant Professor, Lab for Social Design
LAB for Social Design
Line Rebecca Rumhult
PhD Student, Lab for Social Design
Management secretariat
Line Willemoes Jørgensen
Rector PA | Head of Management Secretariat
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Liv Johanne Eskholm
Teaching Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Accessory Design (BA), Lab for Sustainability and Design
Management secretariat
Lone Dalsgaard André
Senior Consultant
Study Administration
Lotte Kiil Sørensen
Study Administrative Employee
LAB for Play Design
Louise Aagaard
Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Louise Ravnløkke
Associate Professor, Lab for Sustainability and Design
Accounting and project management
Maja Christophersen
Project Coordinator
Continuing education
Majbrit Tastesen
Continuing Education Coordinator
Media Workshop
Marianne Baggesen Hilger
Senior Communications Specialist
LAB for Social Design
Maria Kirk Mikkelsen
PhD Student, Lab for Social Design
LAB for Social Design
Marie Kremer
Research Assistant, Lab for Social Design
Student Counsil – DSR
Marie Louise Junker Jakobsen
Repræsentant i bestyrelsen, medlem af DSR
LAB for Play Design
Martha Lagoni
PhD Student, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Play Design
Mathias Poulsen
Postdoc, LAB for Play Design
IT
Melanie Truhr
IT Specialist & DPO
Board of directors
Merete Due Paarup
Næstformand, byrådsmedlem, Kolding Kommune
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Mette Julie Bundgaard-Nielsen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Sustainability and Design
Service
Mette Thrane Frandsen
Event and Service Manager
Studios
Mia Lehtonen Madsen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - Print Lab
Board of directors
Michael Qvortrup
Studios
Mikkel Hjerrild Mikkelsen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - 3D form
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Morten Krogh Petersen
Associate Professor, Manager of the Diploma Programme, Lab for Sustainability and Design
Studios
Morten Ussing
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - Sewing and Cutting
Mudita Agarwal
Studenterambassadør KA, Design for People
Board of directors
Nanna Ulrich Gudum
Bestyrelsesforperson, designchef ved LEGO Group
LAB for Play Design
Nina Sofia Rüder
Teaching Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Per Voss Nielsen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Programme Manager of Industrial Design (MA), Lab for Sustainability and Design
Service
Pernille Mailand
Service Assistant
Accounting and project management
Pernille Thøstesen
Chief Financial Officer
LAB for Social Design
Richard Herriott
Associate Professor, Lab for Social Design
Studios
Rikke Hansen
Teaching Associate Professor, Workshop Manager - Press&Print
Board of directors
Rune Kirt
Bestyrelsesmedlem, CEO, KIRT x THOMSEN
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Sarafina Taudal Andersen
Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Sustainability and Design
LAB for Play Design
Sigrid Vinther Hansen
Teaching Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design | Continuing education (maternity leave)
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Simone Aslak
Research Assistant, Lab for Sustainability and Design
LAB for Sustainability and Design
Sofie Bundgaard Holst
Research Assistant, Lab for Sustainability and Design (maternity leave)
Student Counsil – DSR
Sofie "Falk" Bruun Jørgensen
Forperson DSR
LAB for Play Design
Sofie Kinch
Assistant Professor, LAB for Play Design
Studios
Solveig Gubser
Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - Leather, fur, footwear and Swarowski
LAB for Play Design
Stine Behrendtzen
PhD Student, LAB for Play Design
Page 1 of 2
Collaboration with students and graduates

Students and graduates

The students of Kolding School of Design may look at the daily routines of a business with fresh eyes, may offer new knowledge about the solution of a problem or may be a new employee in the organisation.

At Kolding School of Design we're well-known for our creative student environment and for our innovative students, who dare have an opinion about both concrete and complex tasks and problems.

In addition to possessing core competencies within their individual fields of study (communication design, fashion, textile, industrial design, play or accessories), the students are especially good at generating ideas, frame and run processes and organize and develop from idea to a finished product – across professional fields. A designer is trained to work cross-disciplinary and to incorporate knowledge from other professions into their work. Moreover, the designer is trained to include a user perspective in his/her work. This means that designers include the end users of the product or the service in their work, which results in a better and more accurate outcome.

Below you will find a description of different types of co-operation. If you wish to send an enquiry, please write a notice describing the job and mentioning the time frame and the contact person your end. Please send this to the career workshop at the school, who will then post the notice on the intranet. It is the responsibility of the students to contact you, to apply and to make further agreements.

Collaboration with a design student

Would you like to work with a design student? These options would be relevant for you:

Kolding School of Design focuses on the business and organisation know-how of the students as well as the physical design competencies in relation to their future career. Therefore, an internship is a mandatory part of the education at Kolding School of Design.

Internship is part of the 3rd semester MA programme. The internship period starts at the beginning of the semester in August and ends around the Christmas holidays in December. The internship qualifies as full-time employment for the student who engages in the company’s day-to-day activities.

Requirements for companies
If a company wants a design trainee, it requires already existing design professional competencies in the company, and it is important that a person in charge of internships is available and responsible for the daily learning of the trainee. Moreover, the company and the trainee will enter an internship agreement covering the jobs and learning outcome. This agreement must be approved by both parties and by Kolding School of Design.

This agreement defines the guidelines of the internship, and is a prerequisite for the credit transfer of the internship in relation to the education of the trainee. It is legal for companies to pay students working in project-oriented jobs or unpaid internships up to 3000 DKK/month in addition to their SU (state education grant). This appreciation is voluntary for companies and organisations. The limit of 3000 DKK has been imposed by the Ministry to emphasize that the students are enrolled in education and not wage-earners (act of 1st July)

Individual projects
On both Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes, the students must finish their education by completing an individual design project.

By applying design theory, methods and skills, the project must show that the student is able to solve basic design professional problems at a professional level. Knowledge, skills and competencies acquired through the course of the education are demonstrated by solving a self-initiated, well-defined and delimited design professional problem in cooperation with minimum one external collaborator.

Kolding School of Design places demands on the students to cooperate with one or more external partners on this project, with the purpose of widening their business sense and their understanding of the practical use of the design profession. The cooperation must be the core of the project.

We expect the students to have a continually dialogue and matching of expectations with the collaborator during the project period. The set-up of the cooperation varies; meetings (physical meetings, skype-meetings etc.), information, contact to the customers/users of the company, products, materials and/or equipment for production etc. This is very individual, depending on the contents and course of the project. Before initiating the cooperation, a cooperation agreement is signed by the company, the student and the school.

Bachelor project: 11 weeks – March - June, Bachelor students 3rd year.

The duration of the bachelor project is 2½ month, during which the students independently work on their own project using design in practice. The final project may revolve around the problems worked on during the internship, or deal with a completely new area.

Master project:
22 weeks – December - June, Master students 5th year

The duration of the Master project is 5 months. It will be the largest and most ambitious project during the design education (30 ECTS points). The Master project may be developed as a product or a service within the subjects; fashion design, textile design, industrial design, accessory design, play and design or communication design. Or it may be a cross-disciplinary project covering one of our strategic focus areas: Sustainability, Social Inclusion or Play and Design.

Most students need a student job to make the economical ends meet. This, however, may also be an opportunity for the students in their spare time to do something, which increases their design competencies. Students jobs can take place at a pre-arranged time every week, or as large or small projects during different periods. A great deal of the inquiries for school projects sent to us, may, as an alternative, be worked out as a student job.

Collaboration with a fully-qualified designer

Would you like to work with a fully-qualified designer? These options would be relevant for you:

Prior to and after their final exam, our designers –  are very motivated to begin their work-life. If your company has a vacancy, please send us a notice. We are in close contact with the new designers, and we have a very well-established student network for former students. Furthermore, you are welcome to contact the individual heads of subjects to get more information about the competencies of the designers.

Especially as a newly qualified designer, it might be difficult to get a job – due to the fact that you cannot document years of experience. At Kolding School of Design the education is based on a considerable proportion of actual projects with companies. Moreover, the students go through an internship. However, a fantastic way for the students to gain experience would be if you – as a company – could offer an opportunity for practical learning. This might be as trainee job giving the student the opportunity to learn processes and gain insight into your activities and business.

We offer to establish contact with graduated designers, who, within the last few years, have set up their own design business and work as freelance designers. This is an opportunity to get a non-binding offer and to get the job done the way you want it – and when you want it.

If you wish to send an inquiry through our Freelance Network, please send an email marked: Freelance Network. Describe the job and mention the contact person at your end. The designer will contact you directly for further communication.

Contact

Career Workshop, Study Administration
Jette Ladegaard Garnæs
Head of Study Administration