Open Call: Design concept for HDK-Valand's Research days 2026

Brief

HDK-Valand's Research Days is an opportunity to explore research themes and projects currently underway at HDK-Valand and to discuss them together with research staff and other participants. This is an event open to all students and staff at HDK-Valand.    

The assignment is to develop a visual concept for HDK-Valand's upcoming Research Days, which will take place on January 22–23, 2026. The proposal should effectively communicate the essence of the research days and attract participation. This includes not only the visual and graphical elements but also the written content and the strategy for disseminating the information. The message should be conveyed in an engaging and visually appealing manner, highlighting three core values: curiosity, collaboration, and novelty.    

Compensation    


The selected design student will receive 3600 SEK.   

The offer should include the following

• Initial design concept for the Research Days, which can be presented through 1-2 simple sketches and a brief summary (max 600 words) with a rationale explaining the design proposal.
• Explain your availability according to the outlined timeline. If your availability differs from the timeline, provide an alternative schedule that still meets the deadline of June 27, 2025. 

Evaluation Criteria   

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The designer's understanding of the assignment
• The creativity and originality of the proposal 

• The feasibility of completing the project within the specified timeframe 

  Timeline

• May 19, 2025: Interested design students are invited to submit their proposals by May 19th. (Prolonged from 14 May)
• May 23-26: The designated working group will respond by May 23rd to inform whether the proposal has been selected or not.    
• May 29 – June 13: The designer creates concept and design elements based on their submitted/winning proposal.   
• June 13: Presentation of concept and design elements to 2026 research days working group.    
• June 16 – 20: The working group will provide feedback on the proposal.    
• June 23 - June 27: The designer finalizes and delivers the requested material (as specified above) to the contact persons.    

Background

Research at HDK-Valand develops artistic and educational practices and contributes perspectives and knowledge to today's environmental, social and cultural challenges. The University of Gothenburg is Sweden's only university with practice-based research spanning all areas of art. Research at HDK-Valand encompasses the areas of design, fine art, film and photography as well as crafts, literary design, curatorial practice and teacher training in art and crafts.    

Our research is organized in clusters that span four major areas of interest:  


• Materialities and experimental aesthetics
• Economies: Organizing, Valuating and Working  
• Environment: Ecological and Climate Challenges
• Politics, Practices and Publics    

Through the clusters, we strengthen the link between research and teaching and build a more complete and dynamic artistic and academic environment. Each cluster is led by a cluster leader who is also a member of the department's research council.    

Our research environment has a broad and inclusive approach where knowledge is produced in different research formats, experimental artistic practice and education, often through interdisciplinary projects.       

The selected designer will be responsible for the following   

1.  A logotype that integrates well with the HDK-Valand and GU logos.
2. A poster (A1 format) to promote the event.
3. A daily program sheet (A1 or A2 format) that clearly outlines the schedule and provides directions to the venues.
4. A program booklet (A4 format) for the Research Days, including the names of presenters, abstracts of the research projects, dates/times, and locations (should be adaptable to both A1 and A4 formats).

5. A design concept for communicating Research Days on digital platforms such as Teams, the Student Portal and via email. This includes images / illustrations in the correct format together with header suggestions for these channels.  

   Material due 19 May, 2025

   Send your proposal til Susanne Jansson and Niclas Östlind by May 19, 2025.