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 and Design, Lab for Social Design, Rectorat

Lene Nyhus Friis

Project Director and Head of Lab for Play and 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
Lab for Play and Design

Allan Schmidt

Communications Designer and Event Designer, teaches cross-disciplinary subjects
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 and Design

Anne-Lene Sand

Associate Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Ask Fogsgaard

Research Assistant, Lab for Play and Design

August Rizzi

Studieambassadør, medlem af DSR og repræsentant i bestyrelsen
Service

Azadeh Zirah

Service Assistant
Lab for Play and Design

Barnabas Wetton

Teaching Associate Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Brian Jørgensen

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Cecilie Ann Alveniz Blicher

PhD Student, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Emilie Bech Jespersen

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design
Study Administration

Esther Fuchs

Student Counsellor and Study Administrative Employee
Rectorat

Eva Kappel

Head of Education
Lab for Play and Design

Francesco Aloisio

Research Assistant, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Helle Graabæk

Teaching Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Textile Design, Lab for Play and Design
Accounting and project management

Helle Lauritsen

Accounts Officer
Lab for Play and Design

Helle Marie Skovbjerg

Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Jennifer Ann Skriver

Postdoc, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Jesper Falck Legaard

Associate Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Studios

Jesper Hildebrandt Andersen

Teaching Assistant Professor, Workshop Manager - 3D Form
Lab for Play and Design

Jess Uhre Rahbek

Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Karen Feder

Associate Professor, Programme Manager of Design for Play (MA), Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Karl Alexander Sejrup

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and Design
Board of directors

Karsten Uno Petersen

Bestyrelsessuppleant, regionsrådsmedlem, Region Syddanmark
Lab for Social Design

Kathrina Dankl

Associate Professor, Lab for Social Design
Management secretariat

Katrine Schelde Madsen

Management Secretary
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 and Design, Lab for Social Design, Rectorat

Lene Nyhus Friis

Project Director and Head of Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Louise Aagaard

Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Martha Lagoni

PhD Student, Lab for Play and Design
Lab for Play and Design

Mathias Poulsen

Postdoc, Lab for Play and Design
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 and Print
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 and Design

Nina Sofia Rüder

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Sigrid Vinther Hansen

Teaching Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and 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 and Design

Sofie Kinch

Assistant Professor, Lab for Play and 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 Design School Kolding.

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