This course is designed for all BA and MA candidates who are in the process of writing their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis. The writing process of a thesis can be divided into distinct phases, each with its own methodological principles. These principles help you structure your work more effectively and make the writing process more manageable. The course consists of individual consultations and group discussions in a “learning workshop” format, where we address questions of content and structure and put different writing methods into practice. Together, we will explore the fundamental principles of academic thesis writing as well as key skills such as project planning, literature research, and citation. We will also clarify what distinguishes academic and essayistic writing from other forms of writing. At the same time, I will provide individual guidance throughout the different phases of your writing and work process. Our focus will be on refining your topic, developing critical reflections, and creating strategies that support your writing progress. With regard to your practical projects, we will examine the relationship between theory and practice and collaboratively design concepts tailored to your specific topics. If needed, we can also create a personalized writing and work plan to help you stay on track. I look forward to working on your projects with you!

Science concerns us all. Everyone should have access to scientific research, not just experts. The field of design plays a particularly important role in this, as design strategies can make even complex scientific concepts clear, understandable, and accessible. In recent years, numerous new visual media formats have emerged that prove this point. These formats convey complex theories in a simple and engaging way, often without many words, such as illustrations, comics (e.g., Matteo Farinella), animations (e.g., Science Comics), infographics, science slams, and videos (e.g., Mailab). By relying on images, visualization, humor, and narration, these examples manage to break down barriers to understanding. In this seminar, we will explore and experiment with visual and design strategies both theoretically and practically, with the goal of making complex scientific concepts more accessible. The topics are diverse. In every scientific discipline, there are concepts that can benefit from visualization. Examples might include the pros and cons of AI, facts and myths about ADHD and autism, or even topics from mathematics and logic that require visualization. Logical fallacies, for example, can be made comprehensible through a comic strip. Social science topics such as racism, diversity, inclusion, and social inequality also lend themselves to a (visual) presentation. Even abstract philosophical concepts and schools of thought can become more accessible through illustrations. You will be asked to engage with visual possibilities from a theoretical perspective and then test this knowledge in practice. For this, you will choose a topic that aligns with your interests and that you want to present in a visually understandable way. The goal is to communicate your chosen (scientific) topic in an innovative visual design. Course Structure: The course will be carried out in successive phases, from research and reading to theoretical reflection and idea generation. In a series of structured inputs, we will inform ourselves about the basics and current trends in visual science communication, focusing on aspects such as clarity, comprehensibility, and accessibility. Throughout the project, students will work on their own independent projects, developing innovative methods to represent scientific theories and concepts in a clear, understandable, and accessible way.