Art

The study programme includes the following courses: drawing, painting, composition, computer graphics, arts history, foreign languages, philosophy, business management, etc.

In the Graphics Designer sub-program: design history, photography, basics of operator’s work, polygraphic design, animation, branding.

In the Interior Designer sub-programme: history of the interior, foundations of architecture, interior design, spatial design, interior light, materials.

Upon completion of the programme, the students will be able to:

• display the basic and specialised knowledge required for the design of a graphic design product or interior design;
• show awareness of the most important concepts and relationships of design, focus on the design process structure, know the specific features of design;
• understand the criteria for design values in a cultural and historical, political, economic, technical, aesthetic, ethnic and social context;
• demonstrate awareness of the realities of the design sector and its role in the context of the national economy;
• formulate and analytically describe information, design and related issues and possible solutions;
• assess the factors and actors affecting design development;
• carry out professional and artistically innovative activities in the field of design, using theoretical knowledge and skills learned;
• formulate problems and supervise work tasks, develop a design offer independently and creatively, align it with the contracting authority, employers, responsible services, technical performers, manufacturers;
• focus on traditional and digital visualization technologies and the supply of materials;
• choose the most appropriate artistic and technical techniques to implement the design;
• plan the execution of the design project, performing author’s supervision, monitoring the quality and conformity of work’s compliance of the design product with the concept, aesthetic and technical quality, environmental and safety requirements;
• systematise and archive information accumulated in the design process;
• carry out work individually or in a team, take decisions according to competence and take responsibility, address conflict situations;
• choose a presentation strategy, present the project to different audiences, debate it;
• direct own learning;
• demonstrate a scientific approach to tackling problems in the area of interior or graphic design;
• comply with ethical rules;
• be aware of the need for lifelong learning.

After the studies students may be employed by printing companies, publishing houses, advertising and public relations companies, design salons, architect offices, etc. If you want to, you can be self-employed and engage in different design projects, or build your own business.

General conditions

Secondary education

Admission criteria for persons who have acquired secondary education after 2004:

• CE in Latvian *
• CE in English, French, German, Russian *
• CE in Mathematics *
• Practical examination in visual art
• Grade Point Average (GPA) of all the centralised exams*

* For individuals who had acquired secondary education before 2008, the centralised examination in Math may be replaced by an final grade in Math (or the average grade in algebra and geometry) in the certificate of secondary education.

The following coefficients are applied to ensure the mutual comparability of the results of the CE:

• for exams at the optimum level of learning, a coefficient of 0.75 is applied, to compare to the advanced level;
• a coefficient of 0,50 shall be applied to exams at the general level
• the results of the centralised examinations obtained before 2022 shall be aligned with the examinations of the optimum level of learning and shall be assigned a coefficient of 0.75.

Competition criteria for persons who have obtained secondary education up to 2004 (not including), as well as for persons who have obtained secondary education abroad and persons who have been exempted from the CE arrangement:

• GPA in Latvian and literature
• Final grade in English, French, German, or Russian
• GPA in compulsory subjects

The practical admission examination in visual art includes:

1. Drawing of geometrical shapes. Task: Drawing the three-item setting (format A3). Technique: graphite pencil. Bring the following: pencils of different hardness, eraser, clips (tape), pencil sharpening.
2. Colour composition. Task: Still life of two objects (format A3). Technique: acrylic, gouache, or watercolor. Bring the following: paints (acrylic, gouache, or watercolors), primed cardboard (acrylic) or watercolor paper (for gouache or watercolors), suitable brushes, water container, palette (dish) for colour mixing, pencil, eraser, clips (tape), paper to be laid under the picture, colors and palette.

Special conditions: A minimum number of points in the practical test for enrollment is 250 points

Note: the study programme has the following sub programmes: graphic designer or interior designer. When registering for studies, a sub-programme must be indicated.

Practical entrance examination in visual arts:

1. Drawing of geometric shapes. Task: drawing of the setting of three objects (format A3). Technique: graphite pencil. You must bring: pencils of different hardness, eraser, pins (adhesive tape) and knife for sharpening pencils.
2. Colour composition. Task: still life painting of two objects (format A3). Technique: acrylic, gouache or watercolour. Must bring: paints (acrylic or gouache, or watercolour), primed cardboard (for acrylic) or watercolour paper (for gouache, watercolour), brushes suitable for technology, water bowl, pallet (plate) for mixing colours, pencil, eraser, pins (adhesive tape), paper (waste paper) to be laid under the painting, paints and palettes.