Zerina Kaps is studying Integrated Design at Campus Dessau. In an interview, she talks about her biggest film project to date and why independence is already very important to her during her studies.
Zerina, why are you studying at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Dessau?
Zerina Kaps: I realized very early on that I wanted to go into photography. I thought the overall package of Integrated Design was very good, and as I grew up right next to the Bauhaus and the university, it made sense for me to study here.
It's also not easy to find affordable photography degree programs. The artistic degree programs in Leipzig or Berlin, which focus purely on art photography, are rather unrealistic for me. I wouldn't be able to earn a living with abstract photography later on. There are amazingly good workshops here on campus, such as the photo studio, which has the most modern techniques. I was practically born with a love of photography. My dad is a photographer and has his own photo studio in Dessau.
Is everyone suitable for studying design?
Mh, that's a good question. You should definitely have a creative streak, because new ideas are the driving force behind your own work. If you don't feel like constantly taking on new challenges and projects, you won't feel comfortable studying design. For creative degree programs, you need a little bit of talent and an aesthetic sense is also very important.
Sometimes I also think that some students still lack the final bite for their studies - determination is very important. I would like the professors to prepare us students even more for life.
What does "preparing for life" mean to you?
Customer contact, punctuality, timely submissions. If you want to be self-employed later on, you should aim to be the best in order to get orders. I think a little competition during my studies would be good. It's no different in real life.
What has been the most exciting thing you've experienced during your studies so far?
The major project in the 2020 summer semester with Professor Hartmann. We were supposed to make a short film on the topic of "Corona clip collage". We were supposed to take films or parts of films consisting of found footage and give them a different meaning by integrating new film material. However, the challenge was to work on everything alone from home. As we were not allowed to meet up due to the coronavirus, we arranged to meet regularly online.
But right from the start of the project, it was clear to me that I wanted to produce the material for the video myself and not use anything from the internet. Professor Hartmann gave me free rein to do this. Because I often went to the Anhaltisches Theater during my school days to watch the dancers perform their movements, it made sense for me to dedicate my first video project to ballet. The great thing about working with dancers is that they have no inhibitions or fear of contact and can play with the camera and know how to present themselves.
Three international dancers play the leading role in my short film. They talk about their fears and worries during the corona crisis. For a competitive athlete, a daily dose of sport is extremely important. Leonor, Cristiana and Marcos had no opportunity to train in the ballet hall during the pandemic. They could only keep fit outside in the fresh air or practise at home in their own four walls. The isolation was a tough time for them, because not only did they miss out on the important daily exercise routines, but they were also far away from their families in Italy, Spain and Brazil. The video.
It was the biggest and most complex project for me - precisely because I had never filmed professionally before. It taught me a lot about the approach. For example, that you don't just get started, but plan and coordinate the individual processes and scenes in advance.
What's next for you after your Bachelor's degree?
I would like to move to another city for my Master's degree. My goal is to concentrate on photography and video. It's good to learn a bit of everything in your Bachelor's degree. Later on, you should specialize. I've already looked around to see what degree programs are available in Germany, but I'm still not quite sure where I'm going to study.
A tip from a professional: what do you need to be good at photography?
What helped me a lot is that I went to a lot of exhibitions with my parents from a very young age. Seeing how others do it trains your eye. Finding the right point of view or perspective is a problem for many people. You need to master your technique. My recommendation is to take inspiration from famous photographers or painters - don't copy anything, of course. For example, I constantly buy new illustrated books and try to look through the works in them.
Zerina, thank you very much for the interview and good luck with your studies and your future career.
Save the Date: Dessau Design Show on January 30, 2021
If you would like to find out more about studying design, you can find more information at www.hs-anhalt.de/design. Or live at the Dessau Design Schau on January 30, 2021, where prospective students will have the opportunity to talk to professors or students online. The application deadline for the Integrated Design bachelor's degree program is April 30, 2021.
