Our BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication student Kristof is talking about studying at Berlin International and sharing his experiences!
The BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program provides students with the skills and specialized knowledge to develop creative, responsible solutions in the design context. Projects include a range of analog and digital media. Amongst others, our students design apps, animations, augmented and virtual reality scenarios, books and magazines, campaigns, brand identities, posters, and websites.
Hello, I’m Kristof. I’m 20 years old and from Slovakia. I study Graphic Design and Visual Communication at BI.
I chose this program because I like magazines and books, editorial design and layouts, and drawing—all the different ways to solve design problems, moods, and emotions, and all the things you can convey. During my studies, I made a poster and a magazine spread. I really enjoy the practicality of the whole curriculum. It is also very nice to meet the professors for a chat.
Additionally, last year, we had a study presentation where we presented our reflections on our progress throughout the whole year. It was very heartwarming to get very deep, personal, and spot-on feedback and questions to think about from the teachers, which really showed that they remembered me, my work, and my style. They paid attention to my progress, and it showed that they really cared.
I chose Berlin International because it is in Berlin and the program is in English and it did not look to me like the school has professor-student hierarchy boundaries – all of which I found to be true. It is amazing how international everyone in my classes is, with such diverse and different backgrounds, styles and experiences, all united with the same passion for graphic design. That is something that brings a very fresh perspective to my studies, life, and work, and it is just very inspiring.
Everyone is friends with everyone, everyone is welcome, and it does not matter where they come from. Berlin is very open and free. There are a lot of cultures and people in Berlin, so things are always happening. It is very motivating and inspiring and makes you want to achieve things while enjoying life to the fullest.
My future career plans are to have my own thing, be it a magazine, book publishing house, graphic design studio, typography studio – anything I feel like doing related to graphic design. I want my design to be a socially conscious design that helps people, unites people, and shapes culture at a higher level. Lastly, I would like to teach. It does not have to be about design or full-time, just later in my life while doing my own thing. I like the idea of sharing my experiences and having a voice to start conversations with other people.
The graphic design curriculum at BI is very practice-oriented. Almost everything is a semester-long project, something that I can show later on my portfolio, something that I can learn from. Also, I can decide how high I want to put the bar, how good of an idea I want to pursue the whole semester, and how much detail and effort I want to put in. It is free, and everyone can do their own thing and explore; it is not like everyone’s work should look like something off a template. The feedback we get during the project is very individual and tied to the individual concept everyone is trying to push, and I appreciate it very much.
If my words have motivated you, go for it if you feel like applying, even if you think your portfolio could be better. Even if you have doubts, which is quite normal. It is more about your approach and how you are as a person, what intrigues you, how is your authentic self and if you can transfer all of that into your work. Because, in my opinion, skills can always be taught.
I would describe BI as open, homey, and easy-going. I would describe my program as free, practical, and international. I would describe Berlin as creative, passionate, and international.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article about studying at Berlin International, from our student Kristof Revilak. If you want to pursue your studies in Berlin, look at our BA Graphic Design & Visual Communication program.
Feel free to contact our Admissions Team at any time via application@berlin-international.de.
